Microsoft .NET Framework Tutorial Video for beginners - Part 1

Effective design principles for web designers: Proximity

By Ryan Boudreaux

Takeaway: Ryan Boudreaux finishes his series on the four basic design principles. Here, he reviews proximity and how it can be used to better please the eye.

This is the final segment in our four-part series on effective web design principles, concluding with the topic of proximity. The previous topics and segments in the effective web design principles series covered Contrast, Repetition, and Alignment. Guiding the user through your website with proper flow, effective use of white space, positioning similar content closer together, and providing clear structure are all facets of the proximity design standard.

Proximity, prox-im-ity, [prok-sim-i-tee] noun, nearness in space or time, order, occurrence, or relation, closeness in a series, vicinity, order.

Spacing and relationships

Proximity for web design purposes means that similar or related elements should be grouped together, while those that are unrelated or dissimilar should be separated. The physical relationships and spaces between web design elements create a level of emphasis, and include other factors such as isolation, similarity, eye movement and direction, continuance, andpersistence of vision.

As elements overlap or touch, the top layer typically gets the primary attention. Did you notice the "Proximity" piece of the puzzle above? Did your eye gravitate to the purple puzzle piece first, and then move up and to the left to scan the remaining pieces? However the overlapping object suddenly becomes overshadowed if the other objects close by are in stark contrast; as objects become closer together the contrasting elements will stand out. Striking a balance between closeness and contrast, and even manipulating the two principles can achieve varied results. Take a look at Figure B below and see where your eye gravitates. Did you first notice the "Repetition" puzzle piece?

Every object or element has a gravitational pole in relation to the other objects that are nearer to its center, and the closer an object is to another also affects its weight. Just as a planet's gravity affects its moon orbit, the positions of elements to each other on a web page can change the weight given to it and other elements on the page.

White space

An additional proximity factor is the effective use of white space on the web page, spacing elements utilizing effective margins, gutters between columns, and padding creates a balance between the content and the space between elements. In general, too much white space and the web page looks irregular and void of content, with no direction. Of course, if your web design requires a level of artistic license to accentuate open space with an undeniable void of content for dramatic effect, then go for it.

Proximity and typography

Above, I talked about the negative effects of too much white space, but too little white space can make the web page appear cluttered and cramped. As a rule of thumb, a balanced white space is generally more attractive and pleasing to the eye. Below are two examples which demonstrate both ends of the white space gamut. Figure C, for example, is too much white space, and Figure Dhas too little.

Figure C

Figure D

An intuitive flow of content reveals a balance of white space and the typographic elements that comprise the textual content. Take the first example of the IT Course List shown below in Figure E, and try to step through the list of courses available.

Figure E

Now, take a look at the same list below, which now has each logical grouping defined with appropriate white space, appropriate headings, and unordered lists as displayed in Figure Fbelow.

Figure F

The second list is easily delivered and provides the reader various sections and sub-sections of the course list; each of the courses is in close proximity to the associated and related sub-section header.

Employing the proximity principle of effective web design helps to organize content elements on the web page utilizing space, order, size, relationships, color, and effective use of white space and sectioning throughout typographic elements.

The future of IT will be reduced to three kinds of jobs

By Jason Hiner

Takeaway: The IT profession and the IT job market are in the midst of seismic changes that are going to shift the focus to three types of jobs.

There's a general anxiety that has settled over much of the IT profession in recent years. It's a stark contrast to the situation just over a decade ago. At the end of the 1990s, IT pros were the belles of the ball. The IT labor shortage regularly made headlines and IT pros were able to command excellent salaries by getting training and certification, job hopping, and, in many cases, being the only qualified candidate for a key position in a thinly-stretched job market. At the time, IT was held up as one of the professions of the future, where more and more of the best jobs would be migrating as computer-automated processes replaced manual ones.

Unfortunately, that idea of the future has disappeared, or at least morphed into something much different.

The glory days when IT pros could name their ticket evaporated when the Y2K crisis passed and then the dot com implosion happened. Suddenly, companies didn't need as many coders on staff. Suddenly, there were a lot fewer startups buying servers and hiring sysadmins to run them.

Around the same time, there was also a general backlash against IT in corporate America. Many companies had been throwing nearly-endless amounts of money at IT projects in the belief that tech was the answer to all problems. Because IT had driven major productivity improvements during the 1990s, a lot of companies over-invested in IT and tried to take it too far too fast. As a result, there were a lot of very large, very expensive IT projects that crashed and burned.

When the recession of 2001 hit, these massively overbuilt IT departments were huge targets for budget cuts and many of them got hit hard. As the recession dragged out in 2002 and 2003, IT pros mostly told each other that they needed to ride out the storm and that things would bounce back. But, a strange thing happened. IT budgets remained flat year after year. The rebound never happened.

Fast forward to 2011. Most IT departments are a shadow of their former selves. They've drastically reduced the number of tech support professionals, or outsourced the help desk entirely. They have a lot fewer administrators running around to manage the network and the servers, or they've outsourced much of the data center altogether. These were the jobs that were at the center of the IT pro boom in 1999. Today, they haven't totally disappeared, but there certainly isn't a shortage of available workers or a high demand for those skill sets.

That's because the IT environment has changed dramatically. More and more of traditional software has moved to the web, or at least to internal servers and served through a web browser. Many technophobic Baby Boomers have left the workforce and been replaced by Millennials who not only don't need as much tech support, but often want to choose their own equipment and view the IT department as an obstacle to productivity. In other words, today's users don't need as much help as they used to. Cynical IT pros will argue this until they are blue in the face, but it's true. Most workers have now been using technology for a decade or more and have become more proficient than they were a decade ago. Plus, the software itself has gotten better. It's still horribly imperfect, but it's better.

So where does that leave today's IT professionals? Where will the IT jobs of the future be?

1. Consultants

Let's face it, all but the largest enterprises would prefer to not to have any IT professionals on staff, or at least as few as possible. It's nothing personal against geeks, it's just that IT pros are expensive and when IT departments get too big and centralized they tend to become experts at saying, "No." They block more progress than they enable. As a result, we're going to see most of traditional IT administration and support functions outsourced to third-party consultants. This includes a wide range from huge multi-national consultancies to the one person consultancy who serves as the rented IT department for local SMBs. I'm also lumping in companies like IBM, HP, Amazon AWS, and Rackspace, who will rent out both data center capacity and IT professionals to help deploy, manage, and troubleshoot solutions. Many of the IT administrators and support professionals who currently work directly for corporations will transition to working for big vendors or consultancies in the future as companies switch to purchasing IT services on an as-needed basis in order to lower costs, get a higher level of expertise, and get 24/7/365 coverage.

2. Project managers

Most of the IT workers that survive and remain as employees in traditional companies will be project managers. They will not be part of a centralized IT department, but will be spread out in the various business units and departments. They will be business analysts who will help the company leaders and managers make good technology decisions. They will gather business requirements and communicate with stakeholders about the technology solutions they need, and will also be proactive in looking for new technologies that can transform the business. These project managers will also serve as the company's point of contact with technology vendors and consultants. If you look closely, you can already see a lot of current IT managers morphing in this direction.

3. Developers

By far, the area where the largest number of IT jobs is going to move is into developer, programmer, and coder jobs. While IT used to be about managing and deploying hardware and software, it's going to increasingly be about web-based applications that will be expected to work smoothly, be self-evident, and require very little training or intervention from tech support. The other piece of the pie will be mobile applications — both native apps and mobile web apps. As I wrote in my article, We're entering the decade of the developer, the current changes in IT are "shifting more of the power in the tech industry away from those who deploy and support apps to those who build them." This trend is already underway and it's only going to accelerate over the next decade.

The 10 best IT certifications: 2012

By Erik Eckel


Takeaway: The certification landscape changes as swiftly as the technologies you support. Erik Eckel looks at the certs that are currently relevant and valuable to IT pros.

When it comes to IT skills and expertise, there are all kinds of "best certification" lists. Pundits are quick to add the safe bets: Cisco's CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert), Red Hat's RHCE (Red Hat Certified Engineer), and other popular choices.

This isn't that list.

Based on years of experience meeting with clients and organizations too numerous to count, I've built this list with the idea of cataloging the IT industry's 10 most practical, in-demand certifications. That's why I think these are the best; these are the skills clients repeatedly demonstrate they need most. In this list, I justify each selection and the order in which these accreditations are ranked.
1: MCITP: Enterprise Administrator on Windows Server 2008

I love Apple technologies. The hardware's awesome, the software's intuitive and their systems make it easy to get things done fast while remaining secure. But it's a Windows world. Make no mistake. Most every Mac I deploy (and Mac sales are up 20 to 25 percent) is connected to a back-end Windows server. Windows server experts, however, can prove hard to find.

IT pros who have an MCITP (Microsoft Certified IT Professional): Enterprise Administrator on Windows Server 2008 accreditation demonstrate significant, measurable proficiency with Active Directory, configuring network and application infrastructures, enterprise environments, and (if they've chosen well) the Windows 7 client OS.

That's an incredibly strong skill set that everyone from small businesses to enterprise organizations require. Add this line to your resume, and you may be all set to find another job should your current employer downsize.

Honorable mentions for the top spot include the MCITP: Virtualization Administrator on Windows Server 2008 R2 and MCITP: Enterprise Messaging Administrator on Exchange 2010. Microsoft Exchange owns the SMB space. Virtualization initiatives are only getting started and will dominate technology sectors for the next decade at least. Administrators who can knowledgeably navigate Microsoft's virtualization and email platforms will only grow in importance.
2: MCTS

Not everyone has time to sit as many exams as an MCITP requires. The MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist) certification is among the smartest accreditations an engineer can currently chase. As mentioned above, it's a Windows world. Adding an MCTS certification in Exchange, SharePoint, Virtualization, Windows Client, or Windows Server will strengthen a resume.

There is no downside to any of these MCTS accreditations. Each of the above tracks provides candidates with an opportunity to demonstrate proficiency with specific technologies that organizations worldwide struggle to effectively design, implement, and maintain every day.
3: VCP

Virtualization is all the rage. It makes sense. Hardware manufacturers keep cranking out faster and faster servers that can store more and more data. Tons of servers sit in data centers using just fractions of their capacities. Virtualization, which enables running multiple virtual server instances on the same physical chassis, will continue growing in importance as organizations strive to maximize technology infrastructure investments.

VMware is a leading producer of virtualization software. Tech pros earning VCP (VMware Certified Professional) certification give employers (both current and future) confidence they can implement and maintain VMware-powered virtual environments. And if you talk to the techs responsible for maintaining data centers, you'll frequently hear that VMware remains a favorite over Microsoft's Hyper-V alternative, although most sober IT pros will have to admit Hyper-V is improving and closing the gap.
4: CCNA

The next politically correct certification to list is the CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert). However, that's a massive exam that few professionals realistically will ever have an opportunity to obtain. And while Cisco equipment frequently composes the network backbone, fueling numerous medium and large organizations, most organizations don't need a CCIE and don't have the resources to pay one.

That's why I believe the more fundamental CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) certification is a smart bet. A CCNA can help technology pros better familiarize themselves with the network OS's fundamentals, while simultaneously strengthening their resume. Particularly motivated candidates can proceed to earn a CCNA Security certification, as the network security focus is a critical component of enterprise systems.
5: CSSA

In early 2012, Dell announced its pending acquisition of SonicWALL. There's a reason Dell is buying the hardware manufacturer: SonicWALL has made great strides within the SMB unified threat management market.

Someone needs to be able to configure and troubleshoot those devices. The CSSA (Certified SonicWALL Security Administrator) certification not only proves proficiency in installing and administering the company's devices, certified professionals receive direct access to tier two support staff and beta testing programs.

Organizations are always going to require network devices to fulfill firewall, routing, and threat management services. SonicWALL has carved out quite a bit of market share — so much so that it will now have the marketing might of Dell helping fuel additional growth. Knowing how to configure the devices will help IT pros, particularly those who support numerous small businesses.
6: PMP

Too many chiefs isn't an IT problem I hear or read much about. Instead, it seems there's a lack of IT pros capable of sizing up a project's needs, determining required resources and dependencies, developing a realistic schedule, and managing a technical initiative.

The Project Management Institute is a nonprofit group that administers the PMP (Project Management Professional) certification. The exam isn't designed to earn a profit or motivate IT pros to learn its product and become unofficial sales cheerleaders. The PMP certifies candidates' ability to plan, budget, and complete projects efficiently, on time, and without cost overruns. Those are skills most every medium and large business needs within its IS department and such ability isn't going to be replaced by an app or third-party developer in our lifetimes.
7: CISSP

If you want to specialize in security, the (ISC)² (International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium, Inc.), which administers the CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) accreditation, is your organization. Its vendor-neutral certification has a reputation as one of the best vendor-neutral security certs.

Organizations' data, networks, and systems are increasingly coming under attack due to the value of personal, corporate, customer, and sensitive proprietary information. So individuals who demonstrate measurable success and understanding in architecting, designing, managing, and administering secure environments, developing secure policies, and maintaining secure procedures will stand out from the pack. In addition, the knowledge gained while earning the certification helps practitioners remain current with the latest legal regulations, best practices, and developments impacting security.
8: ACSP

There's more to the energy surrounding Apple than pleasant tablet devices, intuitive smartphones, and a stunning stock price. The company continues chewing up market share and shipping computers at rates 10 to 12 times greater than PC manufacturers.

The ACSP (Apple Certified Support Professional) designation helps IT pros demonstrate expertise supporting Mac OS X clients. Engineers, particularly Windows support pros and administrators increasingly encountering Macs, will be well served completing Apple's certification rack for technical support personnel. Benefits include not only another bullet for the resume but an understanding of Apple's official processes for installing, setting up, troubleshooting, and maintaining Mac client machines.
9: Network+ / A+

Yes, CompTIA's Network+ and A+ designations are, technically, two separate certifications. But they're both critical certs that test absolute fundamentals that every IT pro needs to completely understand.

In fact, there's an argument to be made that all IT pros should have both of these accreditations on their resumes. CompTIA is a well-respected, vendor-neutral (though vendor-supported) organization that continually develops and administers relevant certifications. The network, hardware, and software skills tested on the Network+ and A+ exams are basics that every self-respecting tech professional should master, whether they're performing budgeting tasks, deploying client machines, managing site-wide migrations, overseeing security, or administering networks and servers.
10: CompTIA Healthcare IT Technician

With an aging population, U.S.-based IT pros (in particular) should consider earning CompTIA's Healthcare IT Technician credential. Obviously, if you work in manufacturing, the credential may be a stretch. But manufacturers frequently lay off staff. And many others produce material for health-related purposes.

See where I'm headed?

The interest surrounding health-related technology is almost unparalleled. Look around the city where you live. During the recession, where have you seen growth? Are there lots of new bookstores opening? How about new single-family home developments? Seeing lots of new manufacturing centers?

Doubtful. Like many, you're probably seeing new medical services offices, immediate care centers, hospitals, outpatient facilities, dental practices, and similar health-related businesses.

They all need IT support. Support technicians, administrators, engineers, managers, and especially consultants who want to position themselves well for the future will do well to demonstrate their proficiency with health care technology's regulatory requirements, organizational behaviors, technical processes, medical business operations, and security requirements. IT pros could do worse with their time, that's for sure.

10 skills for developers to focus on in 2012

By Justin James

January 23, 2012, 10:57 AM PST

Takeaway: Quick: Throw out last year's list of must-learn dev skills — it's already obsolete. This new list will help you rethink your skill set to avoid falling behind.

Software development had a few years of relative calm. But now the rollercoaster is back on track and it's picking up speed, as HTML5 gains a foothold and Windows 8 threatens to significantly change the Windows development landscape. If you want to stay ahead of the curve, you should consider learning at least a few of these 10 software development skills.

1: Mobile development

If you don't think it is worth your time to learn mobile development, think again. Global shipments of Android phones in 2011 are almost equal to PC sales. Add in the other big-name mobile devices (iPhones, iPads, and even the "dying" RIM devices), and what you see is that mobile devices now dwarf PCs in sales. What does this mean? If you make your living from software that can run only on a PC (which includes Web sites that don't work or are hard to use on mobile devices), now is the time to learn mobile development.

2: NoSQL

I appreciate a well-designed relational database schema as much as the next person, but they just are not appropriate for every project. We've been using them even when they aren't the best tool because the alternatives haven't been great. The last few years have seen the introduction of a wide variety of NoSQL database systems. And now that major service vendors (like Amazon and Microsoft) support NoSQL as well, there is no technical limitation on their use. Are they right for every project? No. Are they going to replace traditional databases? In some projects, and for some developers, definitely. This is the year to learn how to use them, as they will only become more prevalent in the year to follow.

3: Unit testing

We've seen unit testing go from being, "Oh, that's neat" to being a best practice in the industry. And with the increasing use of dynamic languages, unit testing is becoming more and more important. A wide variety of tools and frameworks are available for unit testing. If you do not know how to do it, now is the time to learn. This is the year where it goes from "resume enhancement" to "resume requirement."

4: Python or Ruby

Not every project is a good fit for a dynamic language, but a lot of projects are better done in them. PHP has been a winner in the industry for some time, but Python and Ruby are now being taken seriously as well. Strong arguments can be made for Ruby + Rails (or Ruby + Sinatra) or Python + Django as excellent platforms for Web development, and Python has long been a favorite for "utility" work. Learning Python or Ruby in addition to your existing skillset gives you a useful alternative and a better way to get certain projects done.

5: HTML5

HTML5 is quickly pulling away from the station. The impending release of IE 10 is the last piece of the puzzle to make the full power of HTML5 available to most users (those not stuck with IE 6 or IE 8). Learning HTML5 now positions you to be on the forefront of the next generation of applications. Oh, and most mobile devices already have excellent support for it, so it is a great way to get into mobile development too. And don't forget: HTML5 is also one route for UI definitions in Windows 8!

6: Windows 8

Windows 8 should be released sometime in 2012, unless the schedule slips badly. While Windows 8 may very well get off to a slow start, being the top dog in an app store is often based on being the first dog in the race. The first mover advantage is huge. It is better to be in the Windows 8 app store at launch time than to take a wait-and-see approach. Even if Windows 8 sales disappoint, it's better to be the only fish in a small pond than a fish of any size in a big pond, as recent app sales numbers have shown.

7: RESTful Web services

While I personally prefer the convenience and ease of working with SOAP in the confines of Visual Studio, REST is booming. Even Microsoft is starting to embrace it with OData. JSON really was the final straw on this matter, relegating SOAP to be for server-to-server work only. Unless your applications can run in isolation, not knowing REST is going to hold you back, as of 2012.

8: JavaScript

Before the Windows 8 Developer Preview, it was easy for non-Web developers to look at JavaScript as a Web-only language. No more! JavaScript is now a first-class citizen for native desktop and tablet development, thanks to the Metro UI and WinRT API in Windows 8. XAML + C# or VB.NET may be a good way for you to get things done, but if you want to maximize what you can get out of your knowledge, HTML5 and JavaScript are the best bet. They give you Web and Metro/WinRT, and you can also use them for some of the cross-platform mobile systems out there, like Appcelerator's Titanium product.

9: jQuery

If you are going to do any kind of Web development where you are working directly with HTML, jQuery is becoming a must-know skill. While there are plenty of credible alternatives, jQuery is quickly turning into the de facto tool for rich UIs with HTML.

10: User experience

Other than getting that first mover advantage in new app stores, there is little to differentiate many applications on a feature basis; it's a crowded field. User experience, on the other hand, is a different story. Creating a great user experience is not easy; it starts before anyone even downloads your application and continues through to the uninstall process. In the age of instant $0.99 and free app downloads, and ad-supported Web apps, the barriers to switching to another application are mighty low. If your user experience is poor, do not expect much business.

Top IT skills wanted for 2012

By Toni Bowers

Takeaway: A new Computerworld survey indicates the nine IT skills that will be in demand in 2012.

Nearly 29 percent of the 353 IT executives who were polled in Computerworld's annual Forecast survey said they plan to increase IT staffing through next summer. (That's up from 23% in the 2010 survey and 20% in the 2009 survey.)

Here are the skills that the IT executives say they will be hiring for:

1. Programming and Application Development–61% plan to hire for this skill in the next 12 months, up from 44% in the 2010 survey. This covers the gamut from website development to upgrading internal systems and meeting the needs of mobile users.
2. Project Management (but with a twist)– The twist is that they're not going to just be looking for people who can oversee and monitor projects. They also want people who can identify users' needs and translate them for the IT staffers-the increasingly popular business analysts.
3. Help Desk/Technical Support–Mobile operating systems have added a new dimension to help desk and tech support.
4. Networking-This demand is being fueled partially by virtualization and cloud computing projects. The survey also revealed that execs will be looking for people with VMware and Citrix experience.
5. Business Intelligence-Computerworld interprets this uptick to a focus shift in many companies,  from cost savings to investing in technology. That will be nice if it pans out that way.
6. Data Center-Virtualization and the Cloud could also be behind the increased need for IT professionals with backgrounds in data center operations and systems integration.
7. Web 2.0-Tech skills centered around social media will be in demand, with .Net, AJAX and PHP as key back-end skills, with HTML, XML, CSS, Flash and Javascript, among others, on the front end.
8. Security-Although down from 32 percent in the 2010 survey, security stays a top concern of IT executives.
9. Telecommunications-The survey indicates a demand for people with IP telephony skills, and for those familiar with Cisco IPCC call center systems.

Five little things that count in a job search

By Toni Bowers

Takeaway: Here are five small suggestions that will serve you well in a job search.

Some people are so focused on the grand prize of a job search — a job –t hat they fail to heed of some of the little details in the actual interviewing process that can make a lot of difference in whether they're hired or not.

Here are some things many people brush off but should pay more attention to:

1. When and how you use the resources of your current job.

Some people put their work number and work email on a resume. While this is convenient, it tells the prospective employer that you don't mind doing personal business on company time. So why would they want you working for their company?

2. You apply for one job at a time.

This is heartbreak waiting to happen. If you continuously put all your eggs in one basket, and you don't get the job, you're going to be continually disappointed. Having several irons in the fire keeps you mentally in the game. However, don't mass mail a general resume to everything you see. That will also backfire.

3. You take the job description as gospel.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of lazy hiring managers out there that will throw anything in a job description or will use an old job description without adapting it. If you feel like you meet some of the criteria, emphasize that in your resume or cover letter. Even if you lack xyz skills, the company may make an exception. However, if the job description stresses a certain skillset and indicates it's a requirement, then don't waste your time.

4. You don't send after-interview thank you notes

A couple of years ago, I wrote about writing a thank you note to an interviewer after an interview. That suggestion brought the reader wrath of hell down upon my shoulders, but I stand by it. I'm not saying you gush a long note in long-hand on your Hello Kitty! stationery. But a short note or email is polite and is something that also puts your name in the forefront of the interviewer's mind.

5. You don't follow up.

There is a fine line between following up on a job and stalking. I recommend a call or an email if you haven't heard anything by the time they indicated you would. It shows that you're interested. But don't leave voice mail messages and send email more than once.

Five reasons you need to trust your staff

By Scott Lowe

Takeaway: Trust your staff and avoid micromanagement to help your staff grow, help the organization better meet its goals, and help your own career.

Micromanagement. The word is generally construed as a negative management trait to be avoided at all costs. For hands-on technical people who have come up through the ranks, it can be a tough trait to shed. But, there are five really good reasons you should embrace your inner CIO and let your staff do their jobs. Here they are:

1. You'll inspire confidence.

Trust begets trust. Do you trust your staff to do their jobs and do them correctly? If not, you have a situation that needs to be resolved. Your issue may be that:

• Your staff truly doesn't have the skills to get the job done. If this is the case, you need to train your staff or add people with the correct skills.
• You may not have the self-confidence or experience to lead an experienced staff. This can manifest itself in a need to interfere or micromanage.

Obviously, there is a difference between general management and micromanagement, and even the best leaders can sometimes devolve into micromanagement when stress is high. But when you have confidence in your staff, they will know it. No one wants to be micromanaged; people want to work for those who value their contributions and who treat them like professionals.

There is also a difference between micromanagement and rolling up your sleeves and working alongside your staff when necessary.

2. You'll get more done.

Every minute that you spend too closely monitoring someone's efforts is a minute that you aren't spending on strategic IT issues that can help propel the organization to new heights. Further, when you're riding someone, that person's productivity also suffers. As a result, both of you are doing less.

Instead of sitting down with your staff and explaining to them exactly how they should do their jobs, consider a different approach to managing projects. When the need arises for a new project and you've decided to assign the project to one of your staff, provide them with an assignment that consists of:

• A project explanation
• General guidance and expected outcomes
• Deadlines
• A project communications plan that provides you with updates in an agreed-upon manner

From there, expect the person to provide you with regular reports on progress and to come to you when there is an exception of some kind or a need for clarification. There's no need to constantly go to the person's office and ask for updates as long as the person is providing you with information at the agreed-upon intervals and milestones are being met.

This frees you up to work on your own projects and keeps your staff focused on their work and meeting your expectations. Sticking to the agreed-upon communications plan also works to inspire confidence from your staff since they know that you trust them to be professionals.

3. You'll breed new leaders.

If you're micromanaging people all the time and doing their jobs, they're not getting the opportunity to grow. When you let them do their jobs and hold them accountable to outcomes and expectations, you're helping them work better on their own. By not jumping in and attempting to solve all the problems they may encounter, you force them to seek solutions and answers. Obviously, don't be cruel. If someone is truly at a roadblock that only you can clear, do it. Watching people suffer isn't really fun.

4. Your staff will stick around.

When people have opportunities and can see possibilities, they'll stay. If you're the kind of leader who inspires confidence and trust, people will want to work for you. On the other hand, if you're the kind of CIO who has to push your DBA out of his chair and take over the keyboard to write a query for him, you'll probably see some resentment that will eventually take the form of staff departures, morale issues, and complaints about their horrible boss.

5. You will get promoted.

Many CIOs have come up through the IT ranks and have significant difficulty letting go. I say that from experience. However, I've been fortunate in that if I do happen to step too far (hey, I'm only human!) they respectfully tell me. I like to believe that they trust my intentions and have enough respect for me to let me grow as a leader as well.

CIOs who have worked their way up the technical-side of the ladder sometimes tend to focus on the technology at the expense of overall company goals. If you're a CIO who has come up through the ranks and you're spending most of your time doing the jobs of your staff members, you're not focusing on being a CIO and will lose the respect of your executive peers.

On the other hand, if you're able to move beyond your technical roots and can help propel the business, your opportunities are endless.

Summary

I try to avoid words like "always" and "never" because I absolutely, completely, definitely do not believe in absolutes. In some circumstances, you'll need to break the micromanagement rules for a perfectly valid purpose. But that should be the exception, not the norm.

Trust your staff and avoid micromanagement to help your staff grow, help the organization better meet its goals, and help your own career.

Seven steps to building a fulfilling executive career

By William Ellermeyer

Takeaway: A noted executive career consultant offers advice for executives who are in the market for a new job.

Today, we have a quest post from William Ellermeyer, one of the most recognized Executive Career Transition Consultants in Southern California, having pioneered the corporate-sponsored career transition business in the early 1980s.

Here are Bill's seven secrets to embracing change and building a fulfilling career:

1. Relationships rule.

Today's most powerful people are typically the best connected. Relationship building is essential. Focus on quality, not quantity. Meeting 100 people is less useful than truly connecting with 10. The key to successful networking is to bring something to the table. Networking is more of a "give" than a "get," and you must be willing to help people with no thought of getting something in return. Think of something you can give to each person you meet, whether it's an idea, an event, a book title, an article, a contact or simply a friendly smile. Remember to expect nothing in return. If you do this with everyone you meet, you'll greatly increase your likeability and visibility in the marketplace. Those people will be more inclined to hire you, refer you and help you in any way they can-and they'll be happy to do it.

2. Know your brand.

Create a core message that is short, focused and honest. It should include your skill sets without sounding like a sales pitch. It must make your objectives clear in an interesting, conversational style-so memorize the content, but not the precise wording. Let the message become your "unique selling proposition," which you will use in networking as well as in actual interviews. Your brand is a reflection of what people know and expect from a relationship with you. The crucial element is that your core message be brief and compelling enough to grab attention in a networking situation.

3. Give your resume a millennial makeover.

Your clean, clear, focused resume must showcase your experience and accomplishments in no more than two pages. There are times you'll still rely on the classic paper resume, but more often than not you'll need to adapt yours to be compatible with electronic communication tools, including social media and websites. A blog with a couple quotes about you from influential people in your industry can pack a stronger punch than even a well-crafted resume. Companies and executive search firms are increasingly turning to profiles placed on LinkedIn and other business-based social media sites. LinkedIn wears the crown in the business world right now when it comes to social media.

4. Be a business.

Position yourself as a resource, and approach the market as a business consultant, not as a "needy" job seeker. Job seekers tend to put companies on the defensive unless it's a situation where they have found you to fill a need. It is much easier to stride through the corporate door as a resource than as an out-of-work executive. Remember that in this world of short-term work, you will move back and forth from employee to consultant to employee, perhaps peppered with stints as an entrepreneur or a future in "portfolio work," using your core strengths and experiences over multiple income streams. If you're in a traditional job, always be prepared with a back-up, like teaching, that you are equipped to jump into, should your current position no longer be available. Approaching your work as a business can put you in the driver's seat.

5. Assemble a Board of Advisors.

In his best-selling book, Keith Ferrazzi advises that you put together your own permanent "job search board." Start with an individual who wants to join you for weekly or bimonthly breakfast meetings. Once you're comfortable and have established the routine, you should each invite another person to join. Down the line, the four of you can invite more people until the group maxes out at 8 to 10 members, for the best results. The more diverse the group is, the more benefits it can provide. Continue to attend the meetings when you have a traditional job; networking is a lifelong activity that will only be there when you need it if you cultivate the relationships over time.

6. Get organized.

Keep records of all your contacts, including how and when you met them and a word or two about their strengths. Store the information by category in a database program like Outlook or a website like LinkedIn. Organize your schedule to include meetings, events, reading and research, exercise, meals, food and fun. Keep manila files for important projects, special people, events, saved content, reading material and marketing. Instead of hoarding e-mail, get in the habit of printing, sorting and deleting them. Put the appropriate items in "action" and "later review" files. Use e-mail to continually connect with your network and save new contacts. When you're in transition, you should be sending out a minimum of 8 to 10 update e-mails each weekday.

7. Shape up, mentally and physically.

It's never been so important to remain at the top of your game, both mentally and physically. Our fast-paced, "always connected" business environment demands it. Exercise at least 4 or 5 times a week. Eat healthy, low-fat and low-carb meals focused on protein. Meditate daily, even just for 15 minutes of "mind rest" every morning before you start the day. Focus exclusively on the positive, and you'll continue to think more positively all day long.

Just remember that opportunity may take a different form than it has in the past. Be prepared to identify and even create the opportunities you desire. Change is the only constant. Even in tough times, people are promoted, moving, retiring… Opportunity abounds, even in the depths of a downturn in the economy. Use these seven secrets to make sure you're ready when it does.

11 smart career tips for 2011

By Kathryn Ullrich

Takeaway: A Silicon Valley-based executive search consultant and author offers her tips for handling your career in 2011.

Today we have some advice from Kathryn Ullrich, a Silicon Valley-based executive search consultant and author.

Andy Warhol said, "Being good in business is the most fascinating kind of art."

As a passionate executive recruiter, I couldn't agree more, particularly when it comes to professionals being good in managing their careers. Here, for the New Year, are 11 career tips for 2011:

1.   Look out for #1. Take responsibility for your own career development. Many large organizations have scaled back on training and development-a common outcome of the economic downturn-and small companies can rarely provide significant support. Simply put, your career rests in one set of hands: yours.

2.   Be strategic. Have a long-term career strategy or, at the very least, a sense for where you're headed. Ask yourself, "What do I really want to do?" or "Where do I see myself in five to ten years?" Seek people in similar roles and ask for their advice.

3.   Work in step with your company's goals. Connect the dots from your role to your company's vision and key objectives. How does your work align with the organization's goals? What can you do to maximize your contributions?

4.   Be customer-centric. Whether your customers are internal or external, know their wants and needs, and be fervent about meeting them. Bring the voice of the customer into your day-to-day work and let it enhance your decisions and deliverables.

5.   Collaborate. Working with and through others is requisite to innovating, creating, and producing business results. Adopt a mindset for teaming and collaborating, and put it into daily practice.

6.   Hone your communication skills. Communication skills can make or break careers. Pick one area that needs your attention-considering skills such as listening, presenting, influencing, persuading, or distilling messages-and commit to improvement. Take a class, practice with a trusted friend or colleague, or join a group such as Toastmasters.

7.   Cross over functionally. Many successful executives have risen through the ranks by taking cross-functional roles, such as moving from finance to sales or from marketing to IT. Follow their lead and you can grow your skills, your network, and your political capital.

8.   Expand your experience. Volunteer for special projects or assignments that are outside your everyday role. Discuss your goals with your boss, an HR representative, or a senior leader, and ask for help in finding opportunities to broaden your experience base.

9.   Find a guide. Mentors can serve as influential role models and provide important guidance for your career. Reach out to a potential mentor within your company or industry and see if he or she would be open to mentoring you for a specific purpose and timeframe.

10. Network-now. The best time to increase your network is today. Starting now, get involved in groups such as professional associations, charitable organizations, or even sports leagues. Step into leadership roles and make your expertise known.

11. Specialize. Today, companies look for specialists, not generalists. Develop a personal brand, distinguish your skills and strengths, and determine how to best market yourself.

Kathryn Ullrich is a Silicon Valley-based executive search consultant and author of the award-winning book Getting to the Top: Strategies for Career Success (Silicon Valley Press, 2010, $19.95). She also leads Alumni Career Services at UCLA Anderson School of Management. Contact her at info@ullrichassociates.com.

10 hot areas of expertise for IT specialists

By Debra Littlejohn Shinder

Takeaway: Success in the IT field is increasingly tied to specialization — but what particular tech niches are most in demand? Deb Shinder runs through the IT specialties that top the list.

My recent article 10 Ways to become an IT superstar generated a lot of feedback. Quite a few IT pros out there apparently want to increase their visibility (and paychecks). One thing that drew a lot of attention in the piece was the advice to specialize. Okay, readers replied, but what area should I specialize in? They wanted to know which subsets of skills are the easiest to master and/or which ones will deliver the most bang for the buck. So in this follow-up, I'll look at some of the IT specialties that are likely to be in demand in the near future.

Note: This article is also available as a PDF download.

1: To the cloud

You saw this one coming, didn't you? All the major technology companies seem to be "all in" with cloud computing — Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Dell, CA Technologies, and more. According to recent surveys, at least 50% of organizations are already using some form of cloud computing, and Gartner says the adoption rate is increasing by about 17% per year. According to Dice.com, the number of ads for cloud computing jobs has grown by 344% over the last two years.

2: Virtually speaking

Virtualization has been hot for a while, as companies jumped in to reap the cost and management benefits of consolidating their servers and delivering virtualized desktops and applications to their users. Virtualization is also the foundation of cloud computing, so those with expertise in deploying virtualized IT environments will be in demand both in the public cloud arena and with those organizations that plan to stick with private clouds for now. Dice.com's data showed a 78% growth in the number of jobs related to server virtualization.

3: Mobile computing and consumerization integration

Everyone knows mobile computing is hot. Smartphones and tablets, along with laptops and netbooks, are the driving forces behind the increasing consumerization of enterprise IT. There are plenty of advantages for the company: Because employees are willing to buy their own devices, the organization saves money. Because those employees can stay in touch with work, read and respond to email, view attachments, and create documents no matter where they are, they become more productive.

But when employees purchase their own equipment, the downside is that you lose the standardization that comes with company-issued devices. You end up with many types of devices, made by different hardware vendors, running different operating systems and different apps, configured differently. Getting them to seamlessly connect to the company network can be a challenge. Getting them all connected to the company network without putting the network at risk is even more of a challenge. IT pros who have expertise in integrating these new devices into the network and managing them once they're connected are likely to be in demand by many companies.

Application lifecycle management (ALM) will become increasingly important as the environment becomes more complex with some functions in the cloud and some onsite. Bob Aiello believes configuration management (CM) will evolve into ALM, and the outlook is bright for those with these expanded skills.

4: It's all about the apps

As Toni Bowers reported in a recent blog post, the hottest job category for 2011 (according to CareerCast.com) is that of software engineer. But it's a position that's a bit different from the programmer of yesteryear. On the programming side of the fence, it's all about apps these days. As smartphones and tablets become ubiquitous, companies will need to develop their own specialized apps for those devices — just as they've needed to develop proprietary software for desktop systems.

In addition, cloud-based applications will be big in the coming years, and that means software engineers will need new skills to design, develop, and implement programs that run in the cloud environment. Those who are familiar with Windows Azure, Google App Engine, VMware's Spring Framework, Force.com, and other cloud development platforms will be a step ahead of the game.

5: Security and compliance

With cybercrime on the rise and increasing concern over the possibility of cyber terrorism and/or cyber warfare, security specialists are likely to continue to be in demand for the foreseeable future. There is a saying in the law enforcement community regarding job security: Thanks to human nature, there will always be criminals — and thus, there will always be a need for the police. That same dark side of human nature ensures that there will always be those who misuse computer technology to attack, intrude, and otherwise attempt to do harm to computer systems. That means there will always be a need for computer and network security specialists.

In addition, more and more government regulation of the Internet and networks, as well as regulatory provisions concerning data privacy, mean security is no longer optional for most organizations. Those who specialize in regulatory compliance are likely to see their job prospects increase as more industries come under the regulatory umbrella.

6: Four to six

When the IPv4 address pool was created in the 1980s, it was thought that the more than 4.2 billion unique addresses possible under the system would be enough. However, the creators didn't foresee the Internet boom or the possibility that one day, we would be connecting not just multiple computers per person, but printers, phones, and even household appliances to the Internet. This month (February 2011), IANA announced that it has allocated the last batch of remaining IPv4 addresses.

The solution to the problem has been around for a while: IPv6. The new version of the Internet Protocol supports a whopping 340 undecillion (2 to the 128th power) addresses. But IPv6 deployment is not an easy task; working with it requires learning a whole new IP language. IPv6 addresses don't even look like their IPv4 counterparts; they're notated in hexadecimal instead of dotted quad. IPv6 is also much more sophisticated than IPv4, with many new features (including built-in security mechanisms). Most important, IPv6 does not interoperate with IPv4, so transition technologies are required to get IPv4 networks to communicate with IPv6 networks.

Obviously, now that we've reached the end of the available IPv4 addresses, more and more organizations will be forced to migrate to IPv6. Because of the complexity, there is a shortage of IT personnel who have mastered and really understand IPv6. If you're one of the few, the proud, who specializes in this area, you're likely to have plenty of business in the upcoming years.

7: Business intelligence

Business intelligence (BI) refers to technologies that are used for reporting and analyzing data, including recognizing trends and patterns, to make better strategic business decisions. BI uses techniques such as data mining to extract and identify patterns and correlations in large amounts of data.

According to a recent study of midsize organizations that was done by IBM, BI/analytics is the second most popular IT investment (after infrastructure) that companies have planned for 2011. This indicates that specializing in the BI field can be a lucrative strategy and a good investment in your future.

8: The social network

Social networking started as a consumer-driven technology, but the use of social media is now being embraced in a big way by businesses. It can be used to connect with customers, colleagues, and partners to build solid business relationships. That doesn't mean you'll automatically be a hot property on the job market just because you tweet and update your Facebook page regularly. But it does mean organizations are looking for people who know how to integrate social media into the business environment in a way that furthers the goals of the organization.

Many companies are looking to develop their own social sites that give them more control and let them target their audiences more precisely. Specialists in social media are sure to find many opportunities as more and more companies stop seeing social sites as just time-wasters that should be blocked and start to recognize the potential for business use. This article offers more information about exactly what a social media specialist does.

9: Public sector computing

On the one hand, many state and local governments are cutting back on their budgets and laying off personnel. On the other hand, governmental agencies are depending more and more on technology to perform their functions more efficiently with fewer personnel. That means specialists in public sector computing can likely find a home in one of the many thousands of town, city, county, state, or federal government agencies that exist in the United States alone.

Although salaries for government jobs are often smaller than those in the private sector, they sometimes offer better benefits, more time off, and a less pressured work environment. There are a number of IT subspecialties in the public sector, as well. These include computer forensics investigators, criminalistics analysts, and personnel who specialize in secure mobile communications technologies for public service agencies.

10: To your health

The healthcare industry is in a state of flux in the United States. Government mandates are predicted to result in cost reduction measures that may result in personnel cuts and/or discourage young people from entering medicine. At the same time, the baby boomer generation is aging and requiring health care. Technology may be one way to fill the gap.

An IDC report published late last year showed that the U.S. healthcare market for IT was valued at $34 billion and was predicted to increase by 24% over the next three years. That translates into a demand for software developers and IT professionals who understand the healthcare industry and its special needs and who know how to integrate technology into the caregiver's world without dumping a steep learning curve onto people already working in an understaffed and overworked environment.

Five tips for building a successful global IT workforce

By Jay Patel

Takeaway: By harnessing the IT talent that's available around the world, you can build a high-performing global workforce that meets your organization's needs. These tips will help you develop and grow a flexible, effective IT group.

Successful managers agree: The strength of an organization's IT talent pool is a critical component to building and growing a successful company. And today's global environment makes it possible for an organization to build its workforce without restrictive geographical boundaries. An organization can pull talent and resources from around the world to build the strongest and most efficient team possible.

As a result, it is important for organizations to develop a systematic approach for recruiting and maintaining talent on a global level. In addition, organizations must implement strategies to optimize and harness the global IT service talent that best meets their IT service business requirements.

The following five tips will help CIOs and executives recruit global IT talent more effectively to ensure their organization's workforce is built for success.

1: Set objectives but allow for flexibility in roles

Setting goals and objectives is necessary when determining roles and responsibilities in an organization; however, it is also important to maintain flexibility to make room for individuals' unique skills and experiences. Maintaining a capable IT workforce is most effective when role requirements are clearly defined while still being flexible enough to incorporate the broad range and the scope of skills and talents available. For example, executives may consider redesigning service technicians' roles so an employee's unique skill set can shine through. By remaining flexible, it is easier to ensure organizational culture will support a diverse group of employees who thrive by playing up their strengths and following their instincts.

2: Recruit and promote from within

Companies should work to identify internal resources to develop and grow their workforce. Many managers have found that their company's most valuable resources lie inside the organization. Given the right training and support, internal candidates are put in a position to perform a broader variety of tasks, a particularly vital capability within the IT service industry where technologies and processes are constantly evolving.

3: Hire for innate talents and be willing to invest in training

Most executives trying to build a successful organization understand that it's important to find a balance between innate abilities and specific experience or qualifications when looking for IT talent. Often, hiring managers find a candidate who may have the right personality, experience, and problem-solving skills but may lack a particular certification or technical skill set.

When it comes to pooling talent and building an IT workforce, decision makers need to understand that even though certain skills can be taught, the innate abilities and attitude of a prospective hire can't be instilled with training. When a candidate with the right personality becomes available — even if he or she lacks a certain skill set — it helps to define the skills required for the position and determine whether certification gaps can be successfully achieved through training.

4: Build a candidate pipeline

To maintain the most efficient and well-balanced IT workforce, it's essential to be consistently on the lookout for talent. This is even more important as talent pools continue to globalize, resulting in larger and more diverse candidate pools. Having a candidate pipeline will reduce the likelihood an organization will be caught off guard or unprepared when a position opens up. Managers should ensure that they are never making hasty decisions or missing opportunities for talent. Examine your organization's business plan and try to anticipate future needs, including geographical expansions or relocations. Network and nurture relationships in an effort to recruit talent that aligns with your organization's future needs and direction.

5: Diversify

The most diverse organizations tend to be those that are flexible and strategic about recruiting and maintaining IT talent. Executives at these organizations understand the value of diversity in experience, perspective, and skill when building a workforce. This is even more important when building a global IT workforce, as there is a greater opportunity to connect with individuals with a wide variety of skill sets. By leveraging the existing talent pool, nurturing global networks, and investing in diversity, organizations can effectively mine new IT service talent sources, build multicultural talent, and be well positioned for market success.

Summary

In today's global environment, decision makers must consider business goals and the direction of the organization when mining talent and managing an IT workforce. By prioritizing company needs, being open to diversity and unique skill sets, and valuing the talent that already exists internally, executives are more apt to employ a workforce aligned with company values — one that plays a strategic role in a company's ability to develop new services and expand into new markets. By focusing on having the right resources to identify new sources of talent, optimizing the IT talent pool, and building a strong talent pipeline, organizations can gain access to skills that support business goals, build bench strength, and recruit effectively to enhance competitive advantage.

Jay Patel is Director of Professional Services for Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), Worldwide TechServices.

Development trends to watch in 2011

By Justin James

Takeaway: Justin James considers Silverlight, Windows Phone 7, mainstream development alternatives, Web development maturity, and the economy topics worth watching in 2011.

2011 is here! While I don't like to make predictions per se, I do like to explore what topics I think may be important to developers for the next twelve months. Let's jump right into my look ahead for 2011.

Silverlight

2010 was the year that Silverlight (and with it, WPF for apps that need access to local resources) gained real momentum. The more I play with Silverlight, the less it frustrates me, though lots of aspects of the technology still rub me the wrong way. In my opinion, the "patterns and practices" people pollute Silverlight's ecosystem; they waste a lot of time and effort on a million frameworks to do things that address a couple of stylistic and academic concerns at the expense of increased complexity, indirectness of code, and significantly raising barriers to entry.

Fortunately, I learned that you don't need to do things the way these folks push. In fact, the default, out of the box Silverlight development experience is very similar to WinForms (for better or for worse), and the learning curve is not nearly as bad as it appears when you first survey the landscape. This is particularly good news because, in 2011, enough development is moving to Silverlight and WPF that folks who don't have the time and energy to learn new development paradigms will be moving to it.

Windows Phone 7

In my TechRepublic columns about Windows Phone 7 development, I note that the experience hasn't always been pleasant. While aspects of Windows Phone 7 development still frustrate me, it is a much better experience than its competition in terms of writing applications.

I don't know if Windows Phone 7 will be a big hit, but if it's a success, it will be a late bloomer like Android. Remember, Android was anemic until the Droid 1 was released just over a year ago, and now it's a big hit. That said, I think that Android is the odd man out right now. The development experience is tough because of the fragmentation. You never know what resolutions to expect, for example, or baseline phone functionality. Even on a particular model, you can't expect a particular version of Android. With iPhone, BlackBerry, and Windows Phone 7, you do.

RIM has lost an incredible amount of momentum, and none of its recent attempts at regaining it have looked promising. Palm's WebOS is on ice until HP figures out what it wants to do with it. Symbian has huge worldwide success except for the United States. iPhone continues to move crazy unit numbers. If Windows Phone 7 becomes a hit, it will be at the expense of RIM and Android. I think Android has enough problems, and Windows Phone 7 has both enough potential to pull it off. Windows Phone 7 is already quite good in ways that Android isn't, both to developers and users. If I were an Android developer, I would be watching Windows Phone 7 to see where it goes.

Related: My first Windows Phone 7 app development project, The Windows Phone 7 App Hub experience, and Optimize data access for mobile phone apps.

Mainstream development alternatives

The more I see of Java and .NET, the less I am happy with them. Java and .NET work really well for some things; however, both have a lot of problems, not the least of which is the ecosystems. The Java ecosystem isn't sure if it wants to be some open source haven or the next COBOL. The .NET folks are going insane replicating development patterns that were pioneered 30 years ago, but instead of studying the literature and figuring out how to do it right, they get hung up in replicating what was done ages ago, including the workarounds that were needed due to technical limitations at the time. Meanwhile, neither ecosystem is doing much of anything to deliver products that allow typical developers to produce better applications quicker with fewer bugs and security problems.

Frameworks that enable developers to use the latest pattern fads cover up the fundamental problems with both platforms, which is the amount of complexity in the typical application is overwhelming. I hope that the alternatives to these mainstream development platforms get more traction in the future. I haven't talked to anyone who left Java or .NET and was eager to go back, particularly around Web development. If you think there has to be a better way to get apps out the door, 2011 is a great year to check out your choices!

Web development maturity

In the last decade, Web development has really taken off, and there has been a ton of innovation in the space. Going forward, we are going to see a lot more maturity in the market. For better or for worse, HTML5 continues its progress toward being a universal standard for building Web applications. Web browsers are following suit, and even Internet Explorer is trying hard to comply with the HTML5 standard. This means that developers can spend more time getting stuff done and less time figuring out one-off workarounds and clever hacks for problems that shouldn't even exist.

The economy

In 2010, the economy picked up steam for tech workers, but the momentum seems to be more for specialists than generalists. "Plain vanilla" developers are watching their wages remain steady, and entry-level developers are in tough competition with more experienced overseas workers within the same salary range. It seems like not many companies want to make a long-term investment in less-experienced developers who show promise, and even fewer want to put anything into their existing staff.

The trend of hiring to fill knowledge gaps instead of training will only increase. The really bright spots are for people with in-demand, specialized skills, such as Silverlight and mobile developers. It looks like Ruby and Rails will also have more demand as time goes on.

I also think this is a great opportunity for independent consultants. Companies have learned to be choosy enough about projects that their overall need for workers may stay the same in terms of total developers needed, but they are much more likely to need certain skill sets for limited periods of time.

What development topics will you follow in 2011? Let us know in the discussion.

J.Ja

10 things you can do to move up the IT career ladder

By Matt Eventoff

Takeaway: IT pros who aspire to a higher position need to lay the groundwork by developing the right relationships, refining their communications skills, and expanding their breadth of knowledge.

Even in difficult economic times, the opportunity for advancement exists. Whether you're a front-line associate aiming for the next level or a senior vice president looking toward the CIO role, certain strategies will help you reach your goals. These steps can't guarantee that you will move up within your organization, but they'll definitely give you a leg up on the competition.

Note: This article is also available as a PDF download.

1: Develop relationships within your organization — outside IT

It seems like common sense, but this often gets pushed to the side in favor of day-to-day responsibilities that yield immediate results. It is much easier to communicate what you do and why it is important to someone who is used to hearing from you regularly. Make a habit of trying to develop a relationship within a different business division at least once a month.

2: Develop a message

How does what you do, or what your team does, further the efforts of the organization? How does it help the business achieve its bottom-line objectives? You must be able to articulate the value of your position to the organization clearly. This often takes time and effort, but it's crucial. Make the investment.

3: Be open… be available… talk to people

IT can often breed a solo or small team atmosphere. If you are a leader in your organization, be seen. Nothing is worse than a CIO, CTO, EVP, AVP, or even a director who stays behind closed doors and remains silent.

4: Treat your top talent as you treat your boss

If you think you have talked to them enough, go back and talk to them one more time. Trust me: If your top talent is nervous (and they are) and you're not communicating with them, they are looking elsewhere. As times get more challenging, your top talent becomes more valuable. This rings true at every organizational level, from the front lines up. Replacing superstars is not easy.

5: Understand your audience

IT has a language all its own, and those outside IT may have trouble understanding it. In fact, it's never a given that even those within IT, but in a different division, will understand the lingo associated with your specialty. Communicate with your audience in mind.

6: Be consistent

Nothing deflates an organization or a team more than perceived inconsistency in communication or communication style.

7: Be open with Information

The expression "Information is power" holds some truth; however, the idea that hoarding that information will result in more personal power does not. Controlling the flow of information is a losing proposition. Everything you do sends a message, and communications, or lack thereof, sends a clear message. (Hint: not a positive one.)

8: Develop partnerships with other IT divisions

The tendency to end up in silos and spend precious little time networking with other divisions can cost opportunity. It happens in many divisions outside IT as well. Just like in sports, rising stars in different positions often end up leading the entire team because they developed those relationships along the way.

9: Master other domains

When commenting on professionals who are looking to ascend internally, I often hear IT executives cite the need to have experience in more than one space. While "master" might be a strong term, a well-balanced portfolio should not be limited to your 401k.

10: Get a mentor

Mentors are crucial in any business, and in a business where networking is not as common as in other lines of work (sales, marketing), mentoring is a great way to learn. It's also a great way to develop a relationship with an executive you would not normally get to interact or spend significant time with.

Matt Eventoff is the president of Princeton Public Speaking. For more than 15 years, he has served as a communications and messaging strategist for C-level executives in organizations ranging in size from startups to Fortune 100 firms.

10 things network administrators need to know about Windows Phone 7

By Brien Posey

Takeaway: If your organization is planning its mobile device strategy and Windows Phone 7 is an option, you'll want to take these factors into account.

Microsoft has spent a fortune on marketing Windows Phone 7, but there are some areas in which the system just doesn't measure up. In all fairness, Microsoft redesigned the Windows Mobile operating system from scratch, so this could be considered a 1.0 release — and like any 1.0 release, there is bound to be room for improvement. In addition, a number of features that previously existed in Windows Mobile 6.x have been removed. All of this adds up to some headaches for admins. This list outlines what you need to know before adopting Windows Phone 7.

Note: This article is also available as a PDF download.

1: The interface takes a little getting used to

Windows Phone 7 uses a new interface that is completely different from anything Microsoft has ever created before. This new interface requires you to use several touch gestures and can take a bit of getting used to. While some areas of the interface are completely intuitive, others may leave you scratching your head.

2: Some of the hardware is optional

Although Microsoft made phone manufacturers adhere to a strict set of hardware requirements, some components are optional. In other words, the Windows Phone 7 OS will support these components, but the manufacturers are not obligated to include them in the phone. Some of the optional hardware components include:

• Wi-Fi (802.11g and 802.11n)
• Bluetooth
• Expandable storage
• A hardware keyboard

3: Some ActiveSync policy settings are missing

Unlike Windows Mobile 6.1, Windows Phone 7 supports only some of the ActiveSync policy settings that are offered by Exchange Server. These Exchange ActiveSync (EAS) policies include:

• Password Required (applicable only to Exchange 2003 SP2)
• Minimum Password Length
• Idle Timeout Frequency Value
• Device Wipe Threshold
• Allow Simple Password
• Password Expiration
• Password History

There are a few other EAS policy settings that are technically enabled, but that will always return a value of True. These include:

• Disable Removable Storage
• Disable IrDA
• Disable Desktop Sync
• Block Remote Desktop
• Block Internet Sharing

All other EAS policy settings always return a value of False.

4: Managing certificates is more difficult

Windows Mobile 6.x had a built-in applet for managing certificates. Microsoft has done away with this applet in Windows Phone 7. Windows Phone 7 devices have built- in trusts for well-known commercial certificate authorities, but there is no interface for managing certificates that were issued by an in-house enterprise certificate authority.

In spite of the fact that the Certificates applet is gone, all is not lost. I have found that you can install a certificate by emailing it to yourself and then opening the attached certificate through the phone. When you do, the mobile operating system will install the certificate.

5: There's no access to the file system

For as long as I can remember, Windows Mobile operating systems have included an applet called File Explorer that allows you to navigate the device's file system. This applet has been removed from Windows Mobile 7, and the underlying file system is no longer directly exposed. Unfortunately, it seems that navigating the device's file system through a PC when the device is connected to a USB port is not an option either.

6: The initial build is incomplete

Less than a month after the Windows Phone 7 launch, Microsoft announced that an update would soon add copy and paste functionality to Windows Phone 7. Since that time, there have been rumors that a much larger update is on the horizon that may add support for HTML 5 and app multitasking.

7: It won't work with all mobile networks

I have used Sprint as a cellular carrier since the mid-90s, and my last several phones have had Windows Mobile operating systems. Imagine my shock and disappointment when I learned that the only carriers in the United States that support Windows Phone 7 are AT&T and T-Mobile. It is worth noting, however, that there are rumors circulating about an upcoming CDMA version of Windows Phone 7 that will work on Sprint and Verizon networks. In fact, I recently discovered a Web site that allegedly shows a picture of a soon-to-be-released HTC device from Sprint running Windows Phone 7.

8: It's really a consumer device

When you read about the missing ActiveSync policies, you might have wondered why so many policy settings aren't supported by Microsoft's latest mobile operating system. Microsoft's official answer to this question is that Windows Phone 7 was developed primarily as a consumer device, not an enterprise device. However, Microsoft hints that more enterprise features may show up in future phone updates.

9: Cell providers can block updates

Many of the smartphones on the market can technically be updated, but many of the mobile carriers have a history of taking measures to block updates. After all, it is in a mobile carrier's best interest to sell you a new phone, not to extend the life of your existing phone.

When Windows Phone 7 was introduced, Microsoft decided to follow in Apple's footsteps and provide updates to the phone. However, it has recently been revealed that mobile carriers will have the right to block Microsoft updates for their customers, at least for a while. Microsoft's corporate vice president and director of Windows Phone Program Management, Joe Belifore, was recently quoted as saying, "We build updates for all Windows Phone users but must certify them with the carriers. They'll happen on a regular cadence like they do on the PC. If a carrier wants to stop an update, they can. But they will get it out on the next release."

10: The emulator is broken

In recent years, Microsoft has provided an emulator as a part of the Software Development Kit for Windows Mobile. In the case of Windows Mobile 5 and 6.x, the emulator was an exact replica of a physical Windows Mobile device.

Although Microsoft has released an emulator for Windows Phone 7, it has locked the emulator so that most of the operating system's features are hidden. Almost immediately, someone hacked the emulator and released a patch that will unlock it. Even so, some areas of the emulator are still inaccessible. For example, the options to set up email accounts and social networking accounts do not seem to do anything.