A critical task in the succession planning process of anyorganization is identifying candidates. Traditionally,candidates have been identified based on past performance. Whilethis seems logical, it is problematic in practice.Past performance always measures success in a lower-levelposition. What is needed in succession planning is a system toidentify potential for success in a future higher-levelposition. The best predictive...

With all the hype about IP Centrex, youd think that every business in American had switched to IP telephony. Analyst firm Ovum estimates that IP Centrex and hosted VoIP revenues will amount to around US $6.6 billion worldwide by 2008, up from US $255 million this year. Frost & Sullivan puts a US $7.9 billion valuation on the market by 2009. It expects, conservatively, that IP Centrex will account for at least 15...

A series of articles exploring the seven critical areas that can indicate a partnership is in trouble. Competitive, Not Complementary Action James Carville and Mary Matlin are public relations spokespeople for the Democratic and Republican parties, respectively. They are each articulate, sharp and feisty. Sparks fly when they debate in favor of their parties, so much so that they seem like arch enemies who couldn’t...

When you meet someone for the first time, you probably search for some common denominators as a link during the course of the conversation. Why? One reason is to find an issue or topic that will make the first conversation a little less uncomfortable, as the first conversation can be. Another reason is to find a common bond that can serve as the basis for friendship. The more similarities you have with another person...

Everyone at the office thought that using the company e-mailsystem to share jokes and funny stories was great fun. That is,until one offended employee decided to sue his employer forhaving helped to create a hostile work environment.Employee access to E-mail and the Internet can help tostreamline communication among employees, and between employeesand customers. But, just like conversations or informationcommunicated...

The idea of a fully ‘connected’ and integrated digital city,with a plethora of online services for its citizens, soundsultra-futuristic and like a pipe dream. The local telecoms andIT industry has its own views. The notion of a digital city, where all citizens haveaccess to public services through broadband Internetconnections, has long since been in the minds of government andthe private sector. The reality...

The term crisis management has different connotations. In this article, I will try to provide pointers that can be used in most situations: Is It A Crisis In The First Place?: This question is important to ask, as there are many situations that go wrong because the right person to handle it is not around. You may be in charge of a project until your supervisor comes back and are unable to contact him during a crisis....

We need to talk. Its good to talk and we become closer as a result of it. Arguments are resolved, situations become clearer, love becomes easier, heck, there would be a hell of a lot less wars if more people indulged in the practice of communicating their needs. During the first few million years of life on this planet, humans always found a way to get the message across to another person. Lord of the Rings showed...

The wellspring of confidence is belief. When you believe in something, you accept and have conviction about the truth, actuality, or validity of that thing. When the belief is about you, its called self-confidence. Self-confidence is your belief that you can marshal your physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual resources in the successful pursuit of a goal. The number one predictor of individual or team success...

Never before in the history of telecommunications has a moreimportant warning been needed for current and potential VoIP(computer phone) users who have joined, or will be joining, inthe inevitable paradigm shift from telephone to VoIP.Warning! Warning! Warning! Beware of VoIP internet service providers that operate onindustry standard codec and industry standard protocols becausethey are PUBLICLY OPEN and INTERPRETABLE!...