Connected Digest

June 2009

Issue 16

[ Tell a Friend ]

Featured Story ›

Editorial Corner ›

White Paper ›

What's Your Best Advice? ›

Managing Your Boss and Staff ›

Life Balance ›

The Big C - Customer Experience ›

Connect with Connected Digest

Subscribe now to this quarterly e-newsletter that explores the vital business challenges IT executives face every day.

Subscribe Here ›

Intel's Reference Room: Real Solutions for Businesses ›

Follow Us on Twitter ›

Intel^® vPro™ Expert Center ›

The Server Room ›

Work: Intel for Business ›

Intel^® Premier IT Professional Program ›

IT@Intel ›

What do you think?

Complete our 1-minute reader survey, and you could win a Garmin Portable GPS.

[ Contest Rules ]

Save the Date and Save Big:
IDF San Francisco

Big ideas are making their way to the premier technology event of the year. Join thousands of the industry’s brightest minds for three days of non-stop collaboration, sharing innovations and insights at the Intel Developer Forum in San Francisco, September 22-24. With more than 150 leading companies from around the world providing hands-on demonstrations of their newest technologies, and over 145 hours of job-critical technical training available, you don’t want to miss this year’s IDF. Register early and save up to $400 with our Super Saver pricing. Registration opens June 17 at www.intel.com/IDF.

BaseLine

Business 2.0

BusinessWeek

CIO Insight

CIO: The Magazine for Information Executives

Computer Weekly

Computerworld

Data Management Review

Datamation

[ View All Publications ]

Intel^® Premier IT Professional Program: Events, e-Seminars and a members-only Web site focused on key topics like security and manageability, business value of IT, data center consolidation and IT innovation. Join now.

The Carrot Principle: How the Best Managers Use Recognition to Engage Their People, Retain Talent, and Accelerate Performance [Updated & Revised]
by Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton

Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution — and How It Can Renew America
by Thomas L. Friedman

First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently
by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman

Groundswell: Winning in a World Transformed by Social Technologies
by Charlene Li and Josh Bernoff

Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness
by Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein

[ More ... ]

Issue 15

[ More ... ]

Cloud Computing: The 'Next Big Thing' in IT

But is it right for your organization?

by Meryl K. Evans, Editor, Connected Digest

Research firm IDC predicts that the worldwide cloud services market segment will be worth about US$43 billion by 2012. Respected Fortune 500 companies are already taking advantage of this compelling trend. Eye-popping cost savings are a driving force, but not the only issue IT execs need to consider.

"Cloud computing is emerging as 'the next big thing' in both enterprise and consumer computing," says Jake Smith, who spearheads Intel's enterprise cloud computing team. "It's exciting because it represents a convergence of proven technologies that have existed for many years. We've all been looking forward to this, because everything is coming together at just the right time."

Computing in the clouds

Almost every publication and Web site that has anything to do with technology is talking about cloud computing. Even so, not everyone agrees or understands what it means. The feature story gets to the bottom of the mystery of cloud computing.

It's happened to most of us. We try to make something happen, and management puts up all the roadblocks. What can you do to get around them — or can you? Experts offer superb advice to work through the barriers.

"Hi, I'm sorry I am not available right now. You know what to do." (Beeeep.) Do you prefer voice recordings or humans? While the answer sounds obvious, some people prefer recordings so they don't get trapped talking to someone. What do you think?

Your feedback is valuable, and we read every single message. Keep up the good work. Complete our one-minute reader survey, and you could win a Garmin Portable GPS.

Thank you for reading, and enjoy this issue!

Meryl K. Evans
Editor, Connected Digest

If you would like to unsubscribe to the Connected Digest, please click on link at bottom of page.

Developing an Enterprise Cloud Computing Strategy

Learn how Intel is developing its own cloud computing strategy to increase agility and lower costs — while avoiding concerns like security risks and immature technology by growing the cloud from the inside out.

This Issue's Dilemma

Where do you draw the line between humans and recordings?

Many new technologies help services companies deliver service to the customer. Some of them are cool, like sweet-talking, computer-generated voice response programs. But they don't quite get it right.

I know cost control is important, but I think most of us would prefer to speak with a live operator and also not have complicated, multipart menus to go through to get to one.

What do your readers prefer — live humans or voice-activated recordings? — C.B.

Can You Help?

Share your experience, and you could win a Garmin Portable GPS.

[ Contest Rules ]

Last Issue's Dilemma

Help! My CEO is a roadblock!

A company hired me to help build services revenue. However, our CEO seems to block every idea I have. If I request additional funds, try to get the sales force involved or work on integrating strategies, my efforts seem to end up with the big head shaking, "No."

Her refrain seems to be "Don't try to change this company. We got this far."

While I respect her leadership, there has to be a way to communicate better.

Would you ask your readers what they would do in this situation? Keep suggesting new alternatives? Or attempt to talk with her about her resistance to new ideas?

— James

Read the best advice from readers.