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Welcome to Enaxis Consulting’s first 2010 quarterly newsletter. We hope that this year will provide you with new opportunities in a more prosperous economy. This newsletter provides you with our perspective on current trends and challenges facing our clients in the New Year. If you have feedback on these topics or would like to see other topics covered, please reply to this email or send your ideas to info@enaxisconsulting.com.
 
 
 
ENGAGING EMPLOYEES IN A TOUGH RECESSIONARY ENVIRONMENT
 
Engagement is a key word in today’s business environment. With changes and stress at every turn, how can you know if your employees are truly engaged in their work? Chances are they are more disengaged than you think. Businesses have been in “hunker down” survival mode for some months now. Leaders have focused on the bottom line rather than the production line and do not typically think about human capital as a limiting factor to their organization’s success.

Even though the economy is tough, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2009 nearly 2 million people monthly have voluntarily quit their jobs. (And it’s your best performers that have the most choices.) Why are they leaving in this time of high uncertainty and what are they trying to find?

Executives are often out of touch with what employees really want. Assumptions need to be checked using some type of feedback loop – surveys, interviews, roundtables, etc. What feedback loop are you using?

 
 
The line represents an engagement scale. On the left is unengaged—disconnected from the organization, uninvolved in the daily decisions with low energy and poor focus. On the right is very engaged—involved in daily decisions, excited by what you are accomplishing and appreciated by others. Have each team member make an X on the line representing the degree of engagement they currently feel. (You can take this a step farther, asking them to draw a B representing where they feel their boss is and even a C to represent others in the company.) This should be an anonymous process to keep them honest. Collect the papers and plot the marks on one consolidated line. While not terribly scientific, this exercise will give you an overall look at how engaged the group feels.

Worried about hearing negative feedback? Don’t be. High engagement does not equate to a lack of complaints. A truly engaged workforce may be very vocal in expressing its dissatisfaction. Indeed, an engaged workforce speaks with more passion since they care strongly about the wellbeing of the company and what they do.

For progress to be made and changes to succeed, employees must be able to voice dissatisfaction about the current state of their organization. These comments should guide the future efforts of leadership, keeping the engagement level high.

What keeps employees engaged? That’s in the next article, so stay tuned… 
 
For more information on Enaxis’ Management Consulting services click here
 
 
 
 
ALIGNING TECHNOLOGY TO YOUR BUSINESS THROUGH GOVERNANCE
 
Governance can mean many things to many people. As a shareholder of an energy company, for example, you do not necessarily understand exactly what IT does. But you should know how the 2-5 percent budgeted for IT spend relates to the business. Governance processes ensure that your IT department makes decisions that best support the business. These processes also guarantee all parties have a stake in the process.

IT professionals might view these as burdensome activities that are required to satisfy SOX or audit requirements (which they are to some extent). If the mentality is inward looking out, the process can appear that way. However, if the IT professional views it as described earlier—as a way to guarantee decisions support the business—audit processes ensure the business pays attention to what you are doing. By making decisions together, your IT organization has a vested interest.

If the governance process is not detailed, this framework can help you think through what should be included. In the context of IT organizations, the partnership can begin with a simple organizational chart that includes process flows showing how decisions are made and policies that offer specific procedures employees should follow. When the process is complete, you have a solid foundation for governance within your IT organization.
 
To learn more about how Enaxis has enabled enterprise governance and PMO processes with Fortune 500 companies, contact us at info@EnaxisConsulting.com
 
 
 
  
THINKING ABOUT MIGRATING TO MICROSOFT WINDOWS® 7?                        
HERE ARE SOME HELPFUL TIPS.
 
Whether you run a small business or large enterprise or simply have a stand-alone workstation, upgrading to Windows 7 can provide a number of advantages. For one thing, Windows 7 offers a more robust and stable operating system (OS) than that of the Vista Platform. You also must take into account Microsoft’s policy to phase out support of earlier operating systems. According to Forrester research, 86 percent of all enterprise PCs run on Windows XP. Are you ready to upgrade?

You should consider these factors before migrating:

    1. Will your PC support the new Windows 7?            
        Microsoft offers two tools, both free and downloadable, to help you make the determination.
            a. For stand-alone PCs, they offer Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor.
            b. For a network of PCs, consider using the Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit
                for Windows 7 Enterprise.
           This feature chart can help you determine if you are trying to decide between Home, Professional or
        Ultimate: Which version is right for you?
 
     2. Are you prepared to buy new hardware or perform a complete refresh of your computer?
        You cannot upgrade XP to Windows 7 directly. You will need to select the Customer option during the
        Windows 7 installation to upgrade your PC from Windows XP to Windows 7. This type of installation
        does not save your setting, programs or files, which is why it is sometimes called a fresh
        installation. This type of installation is more complex and can take hours to complete.
 
     3. Do you have a qualifying genuine license (product key) Windows operating system activated?
        You cannot install an upgraded version of Windows 7 on a media drive without the actual qualifying
        operating system. The installation procedure will not ask you to insert a Windows disc in the drive 
        for verification during the new upgrade process. If you do not have a qualifying operating system
        installed with a genuine license activated, then you must purchase a full version Windows 7 license.
    
    4. Are you ready to relearn some of the basics?
       The Windows 7 operating system will require relearning some basics, especially for those who were
       using Windows XP. All of the changes for the most part are positive enhancements to the GUI, such
       as how files are handled, the new task bar, the layout and design of the user’s libraries, redesigned
       desktop, smarter search and added customization of those nagging security and maintenance
       notifications you see in Vista. You can also refer to the Microsoft’s Windows 7 Help & How-to page,
       which includes links to excellent instructional videos.

The Windows 7 Compatibility Center is a wonderful repository for application compatibility as it offers the most popular devices and software titles to help you easily identify what is compatible with the Windows 7 OS . If you do not see your software or hardware listed, you can suggest Microsoft add it to the Compatibility Center.

Remember, before beginning any installation of an operating system, check that your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements and always back up your data files before upgrading. For more information about hardware requirements, see the Website for your OS manufacturer.

If you are considering an upgrade to Windows 7 and would like to learn more about our experience with the Fortune 1000, contact info@enaxisconsulting.com.


 
 
GLOBAL M&A ACTIVITIES IN THE TECHNOLOGY SECTOR: INSIGHTS FOR 2009 AND OUTLOOK FOR 2010
 
According to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), 2009 started at the bottom in technology M&A activity with a near 10-year low first quarter. However, M&A activity is expected to pick up in 2010 and will be driven by strategic buyers who have access to capital.

Financing will remain the dominant challenge to M&A activity in the coming year, increasing the pressure on middle market deals. PwC predicts that strategic buyers will pursue deals with a focus on synergies, such as enhancing productivity, providing cost-savings and adding revenue volume to their businesses.

The convergence of historically segregated markets (such as networking, storage and server technologies) and the convergence of hardware with software and services are likely to trigger further acquisitions, according to the report. Key merger activities we are watching closely are featured in the chart below. Some may have significant impacts on potential vendors and service providers.
 
 
Acquisitions
 Impacts
1. Cisco Ups Bid for Tandberg to $3.4 Billion (Nov 2009)
Buying Tandberg would give Cisco greater traction in the SMB area of the video conferencing space. Cisco offers a host of products in the video conferencing market, including its TelePresence portfolio, but most of the company’s offerings are aimed at enterprises.

Tandberg products have greater presence among smaller and mid-tier businesses. The company is continuing to roll out new products as it awaits news of the Cisco acquisition.
2. Logitech Takes on Cisco, to Buy LifeSize: $405 Million (Nov 2009)
LifeSize is a 6-year-old Austin, Texas-based video conferencing device maker and has raised $80 million in funding from Norwest, Austin Ventures, Norwest Venture Partners, Redpoint Ventures, Sutter Hill Ventures and Pinnacle Ventures. The deal will put Logitech in direct competition with Cisco Systems in the hotly contested video conferencing equipment market. 
3. Cisco Pursues Starent Networks: $2.9 Billion (May 2010)
 Starent Networks is a leading supplier of IP-based mobile infrastructure solutions targeting mobile and converged carriers. Combining Cisco's strength in Video and IP with Starent Networks' mobile infrastructure solutions creates a compelling portfolio of products to mobile subscribers on 3G and 4G networks.
4. Dell to buy Perot Systems: $3.9 Billion (Sept 2009) 
The two companies expect to provide a broad range of IT services and packages, expanding the global reach of Perot Systems and selling Dell computer systems to additional Perot customers. 
5. Computer Associates buys NetQoS: $200 Million Cash 
NetQoS’ solutions will extend CA’s capabilities in areas such as network and systems management, application performance management and cloud management. Initially, NetQoS will operate as an independent entity within CA’s Infrastructure Management and Automation business unit. 
6. Ericsson-Nortel Networks' wireless assets: $1.13 Billion
Ericsson won a bidding war over the wireless assets of bankrupt Nortel Networks, beating out offers from Nokia Siemens Networks, the private equity firm MatlinPatterson and Research in Motion. Specifically, Ericsson won Nortel's CDMA and LTE wireless networking business, allowing the Swedish company to strengthen its presence in North America. 
7. Oracle buys Sun: $7.4 Billion (Apr 2009) 
The deal has the potential to reshape the tech industry because it gets one of the biggest software companies into the hardware game, zeroing in on the data center. 
 
 If you are looking to find out which vendors provide the best options to meet your needs, drop us an email at info@EnaxisConsulting.com to learn about our vendor evaluation and selection services 
 
 
ROBIN WHEELER PROMOTED TO DIRECTOR
 
With Enaxis since June 2005, Robin has been a leader in the Business Technology Consulting practice, delivering complex client engagements for global companies involving infrastructure technologies, specifically voice and data networking. Robin is also well known in the industry for her expertise in the downstream Oil and Gas business.

“Robin’s commitment to excellence for herself and others around her makes her a key part of Enaxis. She has been instrumental in our success for several years and will continue to be so in the future,” states Dhiren Shethia, Co-founder and Managing Partner at Enaxis Consulting.

Prior to Enaxis, Robin worked at Fluor in their data and voice networking group. She has been consistently recognized as an expert in IT infrastructure consulting and speaks regularly at industry conferences.

“We are excited to promote Robin to Director. She leads by example which is why her teams and clients like her,” explains Jonas Georgsson, Co-founder and Managing Partner at Enaxis Consulting.

Enaxis Consulting and its family of clients and consultants congratulate Robin on her promotion and look forward to the leadership and continued growth she will provide in her new role.
For more information on our experience with implementing IP Telephony solutions or improving the perfrmace of contact centers, contact us at info@EnaxisConsulting.com

 

ABOUT ENAXIS CONSULTING
Enaxis Consulting is the premier provider of management consulting and technology advisory services to Fortune 500 clients across various industries. Enaxis Consulting’s primary client offerings include management consulting, outsourcing advisory services and business technology consulting. Enaxis Consulting drives successful outcomes using a simplified, structured methodology coupled with proven rigor and depth of experience. Learn more about management consulting, business analysis and research available with the experts at Enaxis Consulting www.EnaxisConsulting.com    
© 2010 Enaxis Consulting

For additional information on topics covered in this issue please email info@enaxisconsulting.com.