With so many layoffs expected or having already taken place, there will be a buyers' market for IT talent in 2009. CIOs should resist the temptation to freeze hiring and identify ideal candidates after discussing with HR and finance executives.

"The powers that be would give you a dusty answer if you said 'I've got a wonderful plan and I'd like to hire all these wonderful people' but is it worth doing some hiring? Absolutely. You might be weak on security experts, enterprise architects or network engineers. The simple, unfortunate, brutal truth is that there are going to be more good people on the market now rather than at any other time."

Theme Two: Prepare for the next change

4. Start preparing for the unexpected

Gartner suggests challenging authority with counterpoint views that will help guard against complacence.