Business and society are changing at an unprecedented rate. The characteristics of the workforce have dramatically changed in just the past few years. Today there is greater diversity in types of businesses, the way business is done, where business is conducted, and the way people work. However, the principles of Jim Collins’ book, Good to Great, still apply in today’s business world. We are all challenged to compete better, smarter, and faster. So, how can Information Technology (IT) accelerate your journey from good to great?

With the introduction of version three of the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL), and its new Service Strategy book, ITIL has officially moved out of the operations arena and positioned itself as a viable IT leadership framework. Focused around an integrated service lifecycle approach to IT Service Management, ITIL v3 provides a best practice-based approach to aligning IT services with overall business objectives and using IT to create competitive advantage. Sounds great, right? Now all we have to do is get senior management to follow the guidance in the book. Of course that’s easier said than done.

You’ve seen the ads — hundreds of Verizon people following cell phone customers wherever they go. Have you ever considered what work goes on in the background to enable a major carrier to provide coverage and introduce new capabilities rapidly and safely across the network? Engineer, Furnish, and Install (EF&I) services are the glue that makes transformation a reality.

No matter what your job function, it’s a struggle to move forward while attending to day-to-day business needs. It’s so easy to get mired in near-term activities and lose sight of strategic initiatives for long-term benefit. It happens here at Getronics, and in many of your organizations I’m sure.

We have learned from business thought leaders that we must focus our energy and resources on the things that matter most to our company. For example, at Getronics we outsource our retirement program to a leading investment service provider — investment services aren’t core to our business so we don’t burn resources attempting to create the “infrastructure” needed to provide them. By outsourcing this program, our human resources team can focus on attracting and retaining the talent we need to deliver high quality IT services to our clients.

Within the IT services arena, there are numerous services that we could offer, however, we focus on just one area — the workspace. By concentrating on this one area of IT services, we maintain laser-focus on the related technologies and trends affecting our clients and create a competitive edge that companies trying to be “everything to everyone” can’t match.

In this issue of the Workspace Wire, we present articles to help you keep your eye on the future of your business and cut down on distractions. Our global CIO shares his thoughts on how the market and economy have driven his team to redefine their focus and strategy. We explore the traits of a great organization. We offer insight into how application virtualization can streamline your operations and minimize diversions. We explore how ITIL can help you align IT services with overall business objectives. And if you are opening a new location or need an infrastructure uplift for converged communications, be sure to read the article on EF&I project services for network design, material procurement, and equipment installation in large, complex environments.

Until next time, let’s all focus for success!

Regards,
Marilyn Nelson
Getronics
Vice President
North America Marketing & Communications