CIOZone.com - Professional Network for CIOs and IT Professionals

1. 02-12-2009 12:33

There is an interesting question arising from this: Does Gartner assumes IT leaders will not be able to justify the expense towards their business (leaving affordability aside)? 
 
So, is the bigger question that we IT Executives still have some homework to do in order to focus our efforts and resources strictly on what is adding value, as suggested by 'IT/Business Alignment' ranking top place on the priority list - cf. CIO Zone-poll? 
 
We need to get our house in order once and for all, and if any event is not worth the money now, why should it again in saver times?

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2. 02-12-2009 13:32

Unfortunately, the research firms are all feeling the pain of the recession. Last week, Forrester announced job cuts, although, so far, they haven't cancelled conferences. Forrester is laying off 50 people. Here's the official statement: 
February 9, 2009. CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Forrester Research, Inc. (Nasdaq: FORR) today announced a reduction in force of approximately 50 jobs, or an estimated five percent of its workforce, across various functions and geographies worldwide. This positions the company to compete better in the current economic climate. The company anticipates that it will incur pre-tax expenses of approximately $2.5 to $3 million dollars in the first quarter of 2009, related principally to cash severance and related benefits costs. The company also is evaluating associated facilities-related costs.  
 
“We are grateful for the contributions of all of our employees over the past year,” said George F. Colony, Forrester’s chairman of the board and chief executive officer. “We have made this difficult decision in response to challenging global economic conditions. Forrester has lived through tough economic times before. We are confident that with our role-based strategy and our current offerings, we are well-poised to successfully deliver what our clients need today and in the long term.”  
 
Clients will continue to receive uninterrupted service from Forrester’s role-based analysts and research teams. Forrester’s research population is the highest it has been in the company’s 25-year history. After the workforce reduction, Forrester’s research headcount is 14 percent above what it was in February 2008.  
 
Forrester expects to release its fourth-quarter and full-year 2008 financial results and hold its earnings call on Wednesday, February 11, 2009.

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3. 02-26-2009 14:56

I believe that there has been some wonderful work performed by the the researcher companies. Where you start getting into trouble is when you stretch beyond your core competencies and hold conferences that are heavily weighted with staff speakers (and in some cases promoting opportunities to sponsors that have little chance to materialize). I know of at least three venue providers where this has happened and this might will mean an end to this situation.

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4. 02-27-2009 10:02

While I tend to agree with Jerry, this downturn in the the economy may indeed put an end to needless spending and pointless sponsorships.  
 
Still, my general sense is, we in the IT community, will continue to see more events go by the way side which may prove to be a benifit to sites like this one. Perhaps, if IT executives are traveling to fewer events, they may spend more time communicating with their peers via pro social networks? 
 
Does this mean more companies will turn to professional networks and virtual events to help educate themselves and their IT employees? 
 
Given the good work by Gartner and Forrester, how else would you propose they expand their business models beyond events that capitalize on their findings?

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5. 02-27-2009 10:15

If the economic climate gets worse I'd expect events that require a phsyical presence to be first on the chopping block in any corporate budget. Virtual events are starting to improve by providing high quality audio and video and thus negating the need for phsyical interaction and increasd cost savings. 
 
In addition, if a virtual event is designed properly it will allow the technology professional and executive to recieve the same materials in digital format that they would in the real world. Its far cheaper to provide a digital copy of a whitepaper then a phsyical one. 
 
A combination of worsening economic climate and the green benefits of virtual events will lead to an increase in conferences that are conducted in a virtual space.

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