Bernie Rubens Questions about Emerging Technologies - Essay Example

I would side with Barton in that we should place a restriction policy on blogging that makes it clear what content is not to be published. For the second question, I would tell Bernie Ruben that we should treat blogging about inside information like any other form of communication; it can be used to bring the company down. General policies are in place against the disclosure of inside information through other communication forms, so why should blogging be any different? Blogging should be encouraged but some topics are off-limits. 

1. Barton spends much of his time "fighting fires", much as Davies did. Can he fix this or is this inevitable at IVK?
No, I don't feel that this is inevitable at IVK. The company has had some structural problems in the past, particularly with open lines of communication. The company has been used to running things a certain way, and now it is up to Barton to come in and enact changes that will improve the overall performance of the company in the long term. In order to lessen his stress, Barton should not rely so much on Williams because the guy does not seem to be a good communicator and he has trouble turning up for scheduled meetings. Either Williams needs to change his behavior or Barton should work more with Ruben and Juvvani because they both seem to be in the know and want to be part of the team. Additionally, these two team members also have invaluable knowledge that Williams does not have.

2. A look at emerging technologies suggests that folks in your generation might work differently from the way folks in my generation have. What do you anticipate in the way of IT-based changes in your working life?
I expect that the basis of the working day will change considerably during my working life. No longer is there a need to have every worker at one specific location because modern technology allows workers to telecommute. Harnessing this technology will remove some human touch from the working environment but it will mean that work can be done faster and also expert knowledge can be sought quickly. I anticipate that IT will become a necessary part of every organization, even in those that do not currently rely on such technology. Naturally, because of these changes, there will be huge importance on IT because it will form the core basis of every business. Employees proficient in the area of IT will be invaluable to any business because of the competitive advantages to be gained.

3. Which vendor, contract structure and service delivery model should IVK choose?
IVK should choose VerxaWeb because the company is the closest match to what IVK is looking for. The only concern could be that IVK will outgrow VerxaWeb in the near future, but if that happens then the company can always switch vendors if and when the time comes. In terms of contract structure, a soft-cooperation policy would be best. The reason is that giving penalties would hurt the vendor and potentially damage the relationship beyond repair. The vendor needs to have some freedom without any threats hanging over it. Finally, IVK should maintain control over its own data and equipment, and so the best choice for doing this is with VerxaWeb.

4. What does "control" mean to a company like IVK when it comes to outsourcing partnerships?
For a company like IVK, having gone through the troubles of NetiFects, maintaining control when it comes to outsourcing partnerships is very important. The reason is that the more control that the company can have over the outsourcing partnership the less risk involved for the company. The difficulty with outsourcing work is that often the new destination of the work has little incentive to work at maximum capacity, whereas for IVK the partnership may mean the difference between a profit and loss this year. It is better for the company to control outsourcing because then changes can be made where possible.

5. Do the collaborative advantages of "Web 2.0" technologies outweigh the security risks when they're used in an organizational setting?
Yes, I think the collaborative advantages of Web 2.0 technologies do outweigh the security risks in organizational settings. The potential to increase teamwork and understanding among a diverse team is limitless. These technologies can be harnessed to attract new talent also. However, just because there are positives to be gained does not mean there are no security risks. Security is an important part of maintaining Web 2.0 technologies because without it the whole organization can be put at risk. Read More