From DICE News, December 30, 2008...
Every time I tell people that I work from home, I get this “it-must-be-nice-to-be-you” look, especially from my blue-collar friends. Then I launch into a discussion about how working five days a week from home comes with its own set of complications. Sure, it’s great to wake up and not worry about traffic or missing the train into the city. I do save a decent amount of change in commuting costs. And it’s especially nice on days when the Boston area gets hit with snow storms.
But, like I said, it’s not perfect. CIO recently published 17 Pet Telecommuting Pet Peeves, and the list is dead on. For instance, while technology has enabled us to create a virtual work environment, it can also get in the way...
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Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Gauging IT Spending for 2009
From Seeking Alpha, December 30, 2008...
As the calendar is about to turn to 2009, many of our software and IT hardware clients and VC partners will be wondering what is in store on the revenue front. Insight is on the way: Thomas Weisel’s Research team has reviewed the forecasts of a series of Infrastructure Software companies. Their findings might provide some visibility into how large corporate IT buyers will behave in 2009:
Read more...
As the calendar is about to turn to 2009, many of our software and IT hardware clients and VC partners will be wondering what is in store on the revenue front. Insight is on the way: Thomas Weisel’s Research team has reviewed the forecasts of a series of Infrastructure Software companies. Their findings might provide some visibility into how large corporate IT buyers will behave in 2009:
Read more...
Hot Skills and Certs
From DICE News, December 30, 2008...
Supply and demand, not certification, continues to be a primary driver of premium pay for IT professionals. Data from the third quarter IT Skills & Certifications Pay Index, a survey conducted by research firm Foote Partners, shows the need for blended business and technical skills mean certifications have less clout during negotiations.
“Certifications are important in some highly technical areas like security, but in most cases, they serve as a tie breaker when employers are considering candidates with equal experience and similar backgrounds,” says David Foote, CEO and chief research officer for Foote Partners.
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Supply and demand, not certification, continues to be a primary driver of premium pay for IT professionals. Data from the third quarter IT Skills & Certifications Pay Index, a survey conducted by research firm Foote Partners, shows the need for blended business and technical skills mean certifications have less clout during negotiations.
“Certifications are important in some highly technical areas like security, but in most cases, they serve as a tie breaker when employers are considering candidates with equal experience and similar backgrounds,” says David Foote, CEO and chief research officer for Foote Partners.
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AMD raises layoff cost estimate after axing more jobs than planned
From Computerworld, December 30, 2008...
Struggling chip maker says it is laying off 600 workers, up from an earlier plan of 500.
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Struggling chip maker says it is laying off 600 workers, up from an earlier plan of 500.
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‘Preparation’ Tops the list of 2009 Resolutions
From DICE News, December 30, 2008...
The events of 2008 remind us that job security can be fleeting. Job market vigilance has become a modern day career survival technique, requiring professionals to keep a constant eye open for that next opportunity and be prepared to launch a job search on a moment’s notice. If proactive job search and career advancement techniques haven’t been part of your regular routine, consider including a few of these resolutions on your list for 2009.
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The events of 2008 remind us that job security can be fleeting. Job market vigilance has become a modern day career survival technique, requiring professionals to keep a constant eye open for that next opportunity and be prepared to launch a job search on a moment’s notice. If proactive job search and career advancement techniques haven’t been part of your regular routine, consider including a few of these resolutions on your list for 2009.
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The 9 hottest skills for '09
From Computerworld, December 30, 2008...
By almost any measure, the U.S. economy is in its worst state since the Great Depression. Consumer spending is down, credit markets remain weak, and more than 10 million Americans are out of work.
Yet despite the grim financial picture, demand for certain types of IT skills, such as SAP, .Net and help desk/support, remains strong. And while some employers will continue to look outside their companies to find workers with expertise in these and other disciplines, some CIOs are building some of this know-how internally as hiring freezes become more common. (Read about ways to boost your pay in Computerworld's annual Salary Survey.)
Here's a look at the hottest skills, as cited by respondents to Computerworld's annual Forecast survey.
Read more...
By almost any measure, the U.S. economy is in its worst state since the Great Depression. Consumer spending is down, credit markets remain weak, and more than 10 million Americans are out of work.
Yet despite the grim financial picture, demand for certain types of IT skills, such as SAP, .Net and help desk/support, remains strong. And while some employers will continue to look outside their companies to find workers with expertise in these and other disciplines, some CIOs are building some of this know-how internally as hiring freezes become more common. (Read about ways to boost your pay in Computerworld's annual Salary Survey.)
Here's a look at the hottest skills, as cited by respondents to Computerworld's annual Forecast survey.
Read more...
Tech outlook: Brace for a bad year, but don't surrender optimism
From statesman, December 29, 2008...
I don't think I've met a more optimistic venture capitalist than Jimmy Treybig. This is a guy who sees opportunity everywhere, even in a down economy — especially in a down economy.
But lately I've been hearing that even Treybig, an Austin-based venture partner with New Enterprise Associates, is worried.
So when I set out to survey Austin venture capitalists and entrepreneurs about their predictions for 2009, he was the first person I called.
"I'm not at all negative," he told me, "but I'm saying it's a different time, and you better react to it. You've got to survive with less money and plan for the worst."
Treybig predicted that the recession will spur the creation of some promising Austin startups in 2009.
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I don't think I've met a more optimistic venture capitalist than Jimmy Treybig. This is a guy who sees opportunity everywhere, even in a down economy — especially in a down economy.
But lately I've been hearing that even Treybig, an Austin-based venture partner with New Enterprise Associates, is worried.
So when I set out to survey Austin venture capitalists and entrepreneurs about their predictions for 2009, he was the first person I called.
"I'm not at all negative," he told me, "but I'm saying it's a different time, and you better react to it. You've got to survive with less money and plan for the worst."
Treybig predicted that the recession will spur the creation of some promising Austin startups in 2009.
Read more...
Recession or No, Tech Workers Will Change Jobs
From DICE News, December 29, 2008...
With all the layoffs in the news lately, we got to wondering whether tech workers were more or less willing to change jobs during the recession. The results:
With all the layoffs in the news lately, we got to wondering whether tech workers were more or less willing to change jobs during the recession. The results:
- 37 percent are more willing to change jobs if the offer comes with higher pay and strong potential for growth.
- 26 percent are less willing to change jobs because the market is too unstable.
- 22 percent will change jobs if they suspect their employer is considering layoffs.
- 12 percent will consider a new offer as long as they do not have to relocate.
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A Four-Day Week, Like It or Not
From DICE News, December 29, 2008...
Which is worse: getting laid off or having several hours per week shaved off your job? BusinessWeek is reporting on the quickly growing trend of employers reducing paid work weeks in order to save money and, we can hope, save jobs.
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Which is worse: getting laid off or having several hours per week shaved off your job? BusinessWeek is reporting on the quickly growing trend of employers reducing paid work weeks in order to save money and, we can hope, save jobs.
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Getting Creative to Avoid Layoffs
From DICE News, December 29, 2008...
What do companies like Dell, Cisco Systems, Motorola, and the Seattle Times have in common? They’re among those seeking to cut expenses WHILE avoiding layoffs. The New York Times recently reported some companies are “freezing hiring, offering voluntary retirement packages, cutting hours, reducing salaries or delaying raises” as a way to reduce the need to lay off workers.”
We’ve talked about some of this before: Dell has implemented an extended unpaid holiday, while Cisco will hold a four-day shutdown. Motorola is planning salary cuts and the Seattle Times hopes to save money with an unpaid furlough for 500 workers.
Read more...
What do companies like Dell, Cisco Systems, Motorola, and the Seattle Times have in common? They’re among those seeking to cut expenses WHILE avoiding layoffs. The New York Times recently reported some companies are “freezing hiring, offering voluntary retirement packages, cutting hours, reducing salaries or delaying raises” as a way to reduce the need to lay off workers.”
We’ve talked about some of this before: Dell has implemented an extended unpaid holiday, while Cisco will hold a four-day shutdown. Motorola is planning salary cuts and the Seattle Times hopes to save money with an unpaid furlough for 500 workers.
Read more...
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