Boom time

[Platypus]

83% of statistics are made up on the spot.

Down from the 93.6% figure I used to quote

[Mich the Tester]

and 50% productivity has gone down by surfing net on the job

Pot noodles on the bog

[Andy2]

50% of productivity improvements in last 10 years have come from IT.

and 50% productivity has gone down by surfing net on the job

[Zippy]

50% of productivity improvements in last 10 years have come from IT.

I don't know where you've been working BP but down here on planet Earth I don't think so.

[Mich the Tester]

50% of productivity improvements in last 10 years have come from IT.

83% of statistics are made up on the spot.

[BrilloPad]

50% of productivity improvements in last 10 years have come from IT.

[Zippy]

But if you do get a contract in this climate be very careful. You'll be a rare resource working on outdated equipment and the testing team will probably have got the boot. When it inevitably goes tits-up just make sure you're in the clear.

Only some of this is based on personal experience obviously

[AlfredJPruffock]

Good one - isnt it ?

Old IBM tactic - Fear Uncertainty and Doubt.

Keesp 'em running scared - Scary Monsters and Supercreeps.

All you have to do is to charge an outrageous rate and receive the blubbering thanks from the victim company - sorry client company.

[suityou01]

Scare them into spending on IT. I like it.

[PM-Junkie]

...is around the corner - just like every other recession. If we people can survive long enough to see it!


Businesses and government are willing to make risky IT cuts

Businesses and government departments are storing up problems in the future by cutting IT spending to meet recession driven targets, according to the latest research report from business management company Deloitte.

Seventy three per cent of organisations surveyed are cutting IT costs, with another 10% planning to do so in the near future, Deloitte says.

Three quarters of those questioned would delay or cancel projects, and 67% would increase their use on out of date infrastructure.

"IT departments are scrambling to cut costs but are unwittingly storing up problems for the future," said Neville Howard, partner at Deloitte.

The problem is that cost reduction targets are decided by people with limited understanding of the costs, risks and issues associated with IT service delivery, he said.

"IT is reacting to business pressure by delivering short-term tactical savings that lack ambition, rather than driving long term benefit."

"Operational risk may not be the only consequence; there will also be pent-up demand for new investment that will need to be made when business conditions improve, creating a different set of challenges for those organisations that have cut back on their IT staff."

Howard said that businesses that sack IT staff to cut costs might struggle when the economy picks up because they will be seen in a negative light by people with IT skills.

"IT skills are scarce and organisations that have not retained the expertise they need may have a real challenges attracting new staff when markets strengthen, particularly if they have a hire and fire reputation," he said.

Harvard Management, which manages the assets of Harvard University, published a list of common mistakes businesses make during a recession. It said one major mistake is delaying decisions that will improve the long-term health of your company.

It recommends that businesses should focus on providing value rather than providing cost cutting opportunities to the business. "Don't shrink away from decisions that may be unpopular with investors and analysts over the short run, but make sure that you're able to show the value of those decisions."