"In the February 2008 management insight© newsletter, I show how Strategic Alliances can create value in your organization. I took a few of the best ideas that are transportable and outlined them so you can consider how strategic alliances can help your company no matter what industry you are in. I fully understand some finer industry specific options are out there and truly, I do not discount them in the least. Keep in mind, that there is another dimension you consider. Alliances can be and often are external matters organizationally however, they can also be internal. Consider the possibilities, and as always, call me to discuss your unique situation and together, we can brainstorm alliances in and for your organization.

On page 2, I look at Project Management skills. This is a good subject to revisit occasionally, especially when seeking new people for your organization. The outline here, can be useful in ensuring you are getting what your company needs in project management skill sets. A good refresher and a good checklist.

In the January 2008 management insight© newsletter, I briefly discuss issues relating to managing the open source software environment in a proprietary software world. In the next section I talk about a team rebuilding concept that you can use when you inherit a team created by another manager or need to refocus a team due to a changing business landscape.

On page 2, I introduce the VRIO Model as a management tool for evaluating a company's unique resource or capability as perceived from the perspective of competitive advantage. What is VRIO and how can it help you? Read the newsletter and contact me for more details as to how VRIO pertains to your company!

In the December 2007 management insight© newsletter, I discuss the importance of disaster recovery with an emphasis on the testing aspects of a disaster recovery plan. The theme threaded throughout is "you only get one chance to make it right, it better work".

Then I discuss the subject of mentorship pointing out the value in developing human capital. Last, I discuss in brief, an overview of data analytics with an eye on the value added component, decision making.

In the November 2007 management insight© newsletter, I briefly discuss one of my business projects as part of a corporate dream team that was brought together to save a business from its own pending doom. When I arrived at this client site the business was -$2 million is annual losses. During the reconstruction of it operations infrastructure it turned to the profit side in that year. It was earning a +$28 million profit when I left the business 3 1/2 years later. This $30 million turn around was the result of team leadership and effective multiple-parallel project management. Feel free to contact me to discuss the details of the challenges and strategy I used to facilitate change in this demanding environment.

Next I offer a brief but complementary topic on brainstorming and offer quick and easy to use ideas to improve your use of this powerful method to extract ideas from your team. Contact me for more detailed information on how you can leverage brainstorming techniques in your business.

The newsletter will always be downloadable free to all visitors of this website. I encourage leaders to email distribute this publication to their colleagues as needed. These last three editions of management insight© will be available from now to November 30, 2007. A new monthly edition will be available every month thereafter except in January to break for the holidays. I personally hope you enjoy your current copy of management insight© and as always, feel free to call or email your suggestions."

enjoy,

robert majdak