IT Resource Center The Changing IT Landscape

Look to your “Human Capital Network” to Determine if You are in the in the Right Place at the Right Time

March 15, 2002

Alan Greenspan is saying that the recession is over. On this road to recovery, IT Professionals should reflect on there current position in their company and new opportunities they are considering. Is the IT organization you are with, or the one you are contemplating, going to take part in the pending recovery?

The best place to find the answer is surrounding you in your formal and informal network. Turn to your peers, IT consultants, and in general, your "Human Capital Network". Gather information focusing on how your company and your IT organization stack up in your industry and how well it is positioned to take advantage of the recovery. Your network is a powerful asset which is often overlooked when information and knowledge are needed. It is often too late to make a fully informed career decision when the headline reads "1000 Jobs eliminated at ACMEX Corporation".

Consider becoming an "active member" in a professional organization which aligns closely to your career. To become an active member and make your network work for your professional career you must invest time and effort to gain the "Network Capital" to spend on career enhancement and stability. You must also be able to share useful knowledge via appropriate communications in order to gain the same. For a quick study in practical applied methods of communication see "Mastery of Communication Skills Generate High Career Returns", published February 1, 2002.

Bottom line: IT Professionals need to focus conscious effort on the establishment and use of a "Human Capital Network"; keeping it tuned to run as smoothly as those computer networks we rely on.