Stories by Divina Paredes

Red, amber, green

Setting the framework
Carol Abernethy, Ministry of Justice: Early July last year, we released the strategic plan for the combined agencies?–?the old Ministry of Justice and the old Department for Courts. It was excellent timing for us to kick off the development of our Information Systems Strategic Plan (ISSP) that would be a significant enabler to being able to achieve the vision articulated within the Strategic Plan.

Written by Divina Paredes30 Oct. 06 22:00

Welcome disruptions, continuous innovation

Several weeks ago, while working on MIS Magazine, I was sidetracked by an incident?–?a major business event, actually. Our publisher Fairfax Business Media acquired the licence to publish our competitor in the IT management magazine space –?and merged the two publications.
It would have been tempting?–?and an easy route?–?for the magazine to just slap the CIO masthead on the cover, and inside, simply retain what MIS is known for?–?real life experiences of local IS leaders, buttressed with honest insights from peers, other business executives and analysts from New Zealand and overseas.

Written by Divina Paredes30 Oct. 06 22:00

What CIOs want...

…Every dollar I invest has to give me a return, otherwise, why should I do it? Why would I do it?
…Our systems are leading edge, not bleeding edge… We will not take up the latest version as it may have more holes in it than Swiss cheese [laughter from audience].

Written by Divina Paredes31 Aug. 06 22:00

On the radar

“There are not many places that have to have their systems available 24 x 7, 365 days a year. A large component of our strategy is keeping that system going.”
This is how Lyn Provost describes the distinct challenges of IS management at the New Zealand Police.

Written by Divina Paredes31 Aug. 06 22:00

Plug gaps

Plug gaps

Written by Divina Paredes31 July 06 22:00

Help wanted: apply within [round table]

MIS100 Roundatble Staff recruitment and retention
For the past two years, staff recruitment and retention has emerged as a top business challenge for CIOs interviewed in the MIS100. In back-to-back roundtable discussions in Wellington and Auckland, IS leaders share their insights on ways to address the problem.

Written by Divina Paredes30 June 06 22:00

10 top trends 2006

Staff recruitment and retention critical

Written by Divina Paredes30 June 06 22:00

Trends of distinction

Georgina, as she is now known, is one of kiwis hatched at the Kiwi Encounter in Rotorua. We have a tradition of putting Kiwi icons on the cover of our special editions, and for this year's MIS100, Georgina is it.
MIS New Zealand has been publishing this annual report on the country's biggest IT users for the past nine years, and I have been privileged to be involved in the past six editions.

Written by Divina Paredes30 June 06 22:00

Mission: Critical

How many push-ups can you muster? How fast can you assemble a rifle? Are you ready to step out of your comfort zone to join humanitarian missions and search and rescue operations in various parts of the globe?
The advertisements in print, broadcast and online media all highlight the rapid pace and excitement of being part of the country's defence force. As the Air Force ad puts it, there is no danger of being stuck in the same job for years.

Written by Divina Paredes31 May 06 22:00

Are you a 'synthesising leader'?

It refers to a leader who has the ability to "decide which data to heed, which to ignore, and how to organise and communicate the information". HBR says it is one the most important traits for business executives in the 21st century.
But haven't we known this all along? Are we not referring to the "skill of synthesis", as HBR puts it, when we talk about wading through the information overload, separating the wheat from the chaff or seeing the forest through the trees? These are all clichés now so this particular skill is something we have been aiming for quite some time now.

Written by Divina Paredes30 April 06 22:00

Our panel of ten

Garth Biggs is the executive director of HiGrowth Project, which has just released the first ICT Industry Map, a survey of 400 ICT companies in New Zealand. The survey, carried out by IDC, was a joint initiative with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and Microsoft New Zealand.
The map will provide the "reality" in which business and government can underpin strategic and policy decisions for the sector in the next two years, says Biggs, who has over 30 years in IS leadership roles. He was chief executive at Gen-i and CIO of Air New Zealand, Progressive Enterprises and Sky Television.

Written by Divina Paredes30 April 06 22:00

Reading room

Steve Johansen, chief information officer, Port of Napier, explains why you should read Changing Minds: The Art and Science of Changing Our Own and Other People's Minds by Howard Gardner (Harvard Business School Press, March 2004).
"Every one of us, not only in our roles as IT leaders, but as valued members of society, occasionally find it necessary to try and talk colleagues, customers, friends and family around to our point of view. And it's not easy. So, how does a leader change the mind of employees, customers or other stakeholders? Or, more importantly, how does a leader change his or her own mind?

Written by Divina Paredes31 March 06 23:00

Bridging a disconnect

"Marketing has ideas and wants to react immediately. IT likes to plan and need time to do things."
"Marketing often doesn't consider the costs."

Written by Divina Paredes31 March 06 23:00