[Saice] REMINDER: For Essential IT Knowledge For Business Executives Course
Memory Scheepers
mscheepers at saice.org.za
Thu Nov 13 08:18:05 SAST 2008
1 CPD Point can be claimed for attending this course
Validation Number: SAICEit08/00345/11
One Day Executive MasterClass
by Dr James Robertson
Essential I.T. Knowledge for Business Executives
Wednesday 3 December 2008
Don't approve any significant information technology expenditure before
you've been on Dr James Robertson's MasterClass for Executives.
If I.T. investment discussions make you feel like the slowest kid in the
class
or
If I.T. investment is a riddle, puzzle or quandary to you,
then you should seriously consider attending Dr Robertson's MasterClass:
Essential I.T. Knowledge for Business Executive
"The Board is responsible for I.T. Systems."
-- Professor Mervyn King SC, former Judge and author of the King reports
on Governance speaking at the recent I.T. Governance and Strategy Summit
This MasterClass will equip executives to confidently challenge any I.T.
proposal that their business gut feel is uncomfortable with and to teach
them the critical factors for I.T. investment success.
What is required for I.T. investments to succeed?
It's clear that most of these I.T. investments should never have been
made.
On this MasterClass you'll discover:
* How to identify those I.T. investments that should not be
approved and those that SHOULD.
* How never to have to say sorry for "not being very computer
literate"
* How to speak authoritatively about information technology in
your business.
* How to develop the confidence to say "NO" when you think that a
proposal is not in the interests of the business.
Implementation Support -- I.T. Investment Decision Support Facilitation
Service
We offer a high impact, short duration "I.T. Pulse Measurement" advisory
service directed at assisting organizations to apply the principles
taught in this MasterClass.
Free Article -- "Seamlessly Integrating Information Technology Into The
Business
Whether You Attend the MasterClass or Not
In order to give you more insight into our thinking, we are offering a
free copy of a presentation on "I.T. The Harshest Judge of Governance" .
The presentation deals with critical issues relating to corporate
governance relating to information technology.
The MasterClass on "Essential I.T. Knowledge for Business Executives" is
directed at equipping business executives to take informed business
decisions as to whether to proceed with a proposed investment or not.
The MasterClass also addresses issues relating to the corporate
governance of I.T.
To obtain a free copy of this presentation simply email us
<mailto:james at jar-a.com?subject=Free%20copy%20of%20Presentation&body=Pl%
0d%0aease%20email%20me%20the%20free%20copy%20of%20Seamlessly%20Integrati
on%20Info%0d%0armation%20Technology%20into%20the%20Business> and we
will email you the presentation as an Adobe Acrobat pdf file by return
whether you register for the MasterClass or not.
Register now for the MasterClass!
<mailto:cpd.sharon at saice.org.za?subject=Register%20for%20Executive%20Mas
terClas%0d%0as&body=Please%20register%20me%20for%20the%20MasterClass%20o
n%20Essential%20I%0d%0a.T.%20Knowledge%20for%20Business%20Executives%20>
Challenge Conventional Wisdom
I.T Investment failures running to hundreds of millions of dollars in
large, well known, international companies are being
reported.
________________________________
Over 70% of Information Technology (I.T.) investments fail totally a
further 20% do not achieve stated business objectives
________________________________
I.T. failures have caused corporate collapse
"19 out of 20 enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementations do not
deliver what was promised" (Financial Mail)
"most organizations are not making better decisions than they did five
years ago" (Gartner)
The approach advocated and information supplied in the "Essential I.T.
Knowledge for Business Executives" executive MasterClass challenge much
of the conventional wisdom regarding I.T.
The MasterClass offers executive and operational management the
opportunity to take I.T. expenditure decisions that are founded on a
fundamentally robust set of questions to be applied BEFORE a decision is
taken.
The MasterClass will also provide robust answers to questions like:
* "which technology is most appropriate?"
* "how long is a realistic life span for this investment?"
* "what do I really need to understand about this proposal?"
* "how fast is information technology really moving?"
* "what are the critical factors for I.T. investment success?"
* and numerous other challenging questions.
Essential I.T. Knowledge for Business Executives
By attending this MasterClass you will learn the essential knowledge
that will ensure that you never have to remain silent during an I.T.
proposal presentation because you are not sure what to say.
Never again have to feel unsure about challenging an I.T. proposal or
saying "NO".
Avoid getting millions of rands and months "down the track" and then
deciding that your initial gut feel was correct -- gain the knowledge to
support your business gut feel so that you can act BEFORE major
expenditure commences.
AND
Learn what should be resolved BEFORE approval is given and the critical
factors for success.
Greatly Increase The Probability of A Successful Outcome
The knowledge gained on this executive MasterClass will substantially
reduce the probability of failure and increase the probability of a
successful outcome for any major information technology investment.
Register now for the MasterClass!
<mailto:cpd.sharon at saice.org.za?subject=Register%20for%20Executive%20Mas
terClas%0d%0as&body=Please%20register%20me%20for%20the%20MasterClass%20o
n%20Essential%20I%0d%0a.T.%20Knowledge%20for%20Business%20Executives%20>
Internationally recognized MasterClass presenter - Dr James Robertson
MasterClass presenter, Dr James Robertson, has spoken internationally on
the "real issues" in information technology, including the factors
giving rise to failure and what is required for success, since 1994.
He's been listed in "Who's Who in the World" for four consecutive years,
"Great Minds of the 21st Century" and other international biographies
for his work in this field.
His experience includes international investment economics, civil and
mining engineering, military command, information technology, strategy
development and implementation, marketing, business development and
business operation.
This experience extends over a wide range of commercial, government and
parastatal organisations.
He has spoken at over sixty conferences locally and internationally, and
presents a variety of courses relating to the effective application of
information technology and strategy in business.
He has undertaken considerable analysis of the factors giving rise to
I.T. and strategy investment failure and the requirements for success
and has published a book on "The Critical Factors for Information
Technology Investment Success".
The following statements are examples of what has been said about Dr
Robertson's approach:
* "thought provoking"
* "challenging"
* "practical"
* "common sense"
* "caused me to see things differently"
In this MasterClass Dr Robertson will bring this approach to bear in
providing executives with the knowledge they really need to make
informed information technology investment decisions in support of
achievable value adding business outcomes and how to achieve investment
success.
As a registered Professional Engineer, Dr Robertson brings a robust
commitment to developing successful business information technology
solutions that deliver measurable business benefit in terms of:
* increased competitiveness
* increased market share
* increased turnover
* increased profit margins
* increased earnings
* increased shareholder value
<mailto:james at jar-a.com?subject=Register%20for%20Executive%20MasterClas%
0d%0as&body=Please%20register%20me%20for%20the%20MasterClass%20on%20Esse
ntial%20I%0d%0a.T.%20Knowledge%20for%20Business%20Executives%20>
The components of the executive MasterClass on
"Essential I.T. Knowledge for Business Executives"
1. The essential questions that every executive should answer
before approving any significant I.T. expenditure:
After years of observing and advising on failed and successful
I.T. investments Dr Robertson has identified seven essential questions
that every executive, and particularly every Chief Executive, should
answer with a clear "yes" in order to ensure success.
"This is a course I would recommend indeed. A pity
my CEO could not have
been here."
2.
The MasterClass will present the questions and outline the
components that are required to reach clarity on the decision with
regard to each question.
The actions and information required in order to move to a point
of clarity will also be presented.
The essence of these questions is "What do I need to have in
place and what answers do I need before I can say 'yes' with
confidence?"
The MasterClass will also teach why going ahead with an
investment when you have answered "no" to any of these questions may
well be a recipe for disaster
AND
How to get from "no" to "yes" and how to design for success.
* Essential Technology knowledge every Executive should have
Most executives do not know how to respond to statements like:
"it must be Windows based"
"this technology is obsolete"
"technology is moving so fast you must replace / upgrade
your system"
and many other statements made in support of proposals for
I.T. expenditure.
The MasterClass will teach you the basics of information
technology that are really necessary in order to have an informed and
authoritative response to these and many other such statements.
It will teach you how to ASK questions that neutralize such
statements and challenge those making them to think differently about
how they communicate with you.
This executive MasterClass will give you the information you
need to "put the shoe on the other foot".
"I could not define what I was looking for from the course but
presentation structured to answer many questions which were there but
not clearly identified by me."
3.
Not only with vendors and service providers but also with
sincere staff members who honestly believe what they are proposing will
add value -- in other words assist THEM to understand how to answer YOUR
questions.
The MasterClass will also teach you how to decide which is the
most appropriate technology for your business when you are faced with
making a decision in the midst of the hype that frequently surrounds
I.T. investment proposals.
The MasterClass will also assist those in the business of
providing I.T. products and services to think differently about how they
present their offers.
4. The criteria to use in evaluating the business impact of an I.T.
investment
How do you assess what is really important in evaluating an I.T.
investment proposal?
The MasterClass will present a set of criteria and suggestions
about their relative importance, that you can use to assess the
relevance of any proposal.
The information imparted in the previous sections of the
MasterClass will equip you to apply these criteria on the basis of your
understanding of the business, its customers and its competitive
environment in order to reach a decision that is best for the business.
You will also gain insight into the criteria to be applied in
assessing what constitutes a "world class" information technology
capability and whether your organization requires such capability.
What is A Reasonable Investment Life Span?
"Thanks. Met my expectations. Gave me
items / issues to focus
on in exercising my responsibilities"
5.
The MasterClass will provide simple information that can be used
in assessing whether proposals to replace existing technology that is
working for your business have a sound business case or not.
Have you ever wondered whether it is REALLY necessary to replace
systems that seem to be "working fine"?
This MasterClass will give you simple and robust principles that
you can apply in responding to proposals for change.
What are the VALID Drivers for E.R.P. Replacement?
Many organizations are considering replacing their E.R.P.
(enterprise resource planning) systems.
Is this really necessary?
What are the valid drivers for replacement?
What are the VALID Drivers of I.T. Investment?
How do you determine when an I.T. investment is justified?
Where in the world is I.T. going?
Have you heard it said that "I.T. is moving so fast it is not
possible to keep up"?
This course includes a pragmatic view of the direction in which
I.T. is moving and why it is entirely possible to keep up with the
developments in I.T. from the perspective of YOUR business.
"Really worthwhile. Enjoyed and learned a lot"
6.
What May Well Be the Single Most Important Business and
Technical Component of Any Major Business I.T. Investment
It May Be the Biggest Opportunity to Add Value to Your Existing
I.T. Investment
Many executives complain that, having invested millions in I.T.,
they are unable to obtain the information they require for effective
business decision making.
Many organizations find themselves having made substantial
investments and then relying on middle managers with spreadsheets to
provide the information they require.
A recent article reported a survey of over 1,300 chief
information executives as indicating that "most organizations are not
making better decisions than they did five years ago" (Gartner)
The "Essential I.T. Knowledge for Business Executives"
MasterClass will explain why this situation is so common and equip you
with the knowledge required to make informed decisions with regard to
overcoming it.
The fundamental factors that typically give rise to this
situation will be explained and the steps necessary to overcome the
problem will be set out.
In particular, delegates will be equipped with the knowledge
necessary to assess whether further investment in hardware or software
is required or whether alternative courses of action are called for.
"Very good Explanations"
7.
The MasterClass will also explain why solving this particular
problem may well be one of the greatest competitive opportunities
available to many corporations today.
High quality, reliable and repeatable management reports that
support effective strategic decision making are a vital requirement for
business success in the decades ahead.
The MasterClass will equip you with the knowledge you require in
order to evaluate what is required to obtain this in your business.
8. How to develop a robust Business Specification for the required
business outcome.
One of the challenges facing business executives who have a
vision for an information technology investment in support of business
effectiveness is how to go about specifying that vision in a way that
others can understand and that can be carried out in a way that results
in the vision being achieved.
Many investments are cancelled when it is realised that what is
being produced is not what executives thought they were agreeing to at
the time the investment was approved.
"Good pragmatic view of I.T. Investment. Sobering!! "
9.
Other times the costs and duration of the investment escalate in
a manner that completely invalidates the economic basis on which the
investment decision was based.
The MasterClass will explain why this happens and outline an
approach to be used in developing specifications that will work in
practice -- measured in terms of delivery of expected business outcome.
Delegates will also be given pointers and guidance on how
executive and senior management should invest their time to ensure that
it is productively devoted to achieving the required outcome -- an
important aspect of quantifying the real cost and duration of a proposed
investment.
The MasterClass will discuss estimating techniques that can be
used to minimize the risk of time and cost over runs by giving estimates
that are amenable to statistical examination and quantification of risk
of agreed budgets and time lines being exceeded.
This component of the MasterClass will not only address
information technology but also the requirements for effective design
and implementation of corporate strategic plans and business improvement
and optimization plans -- the relationship between these three
components, which are often discussed as though unrelated, will be
explained.
10. Why 70% of I.T. investments fail totally and a further 20%
materially under perform
Seventy percent of all information technology investments fail
totally -- they are never completed, or are never put into effective
operation or never deliver any business benefit.
A further twenty percent materially under perform -- they do not
deliver the business benefit that formed the basis of the investment
motivation.
The Financial Mail reported some time ago that "19 out of 20"
(95%) "enterprise resource planning system (E.R.P.) implementations do
not deliver what was promised".
"I have found the course very informative, practical and useful "
11.
This segment of the course will explain why these failures
happen using a structured classification based on the diverse experience
of Dr Robertson in evaluating, reporting and interpreting these
statistics for more than a decade.
The MasterClass will explain why
"engineers do not design bridges to stand up"
rather
engineers design bridges "not to fall down"
This segment will teach the principles necessary to design
information technology investments against failure and provide delegates
with the information they require in order to make informed decisions
about the real scope and risk of proposed information technology
investments.
Equipped with this knowledge delegates will be able to identify
potentially high risk investments and take measures to effectively
manage investments which are approved.
12. How to manage Major I.T. Investments in order to guarantee
success
Understanding why failure occurs is well and good, but what
really matters is how to guarantee success.
"This is of tremendous value to the business. I.T. must add value to the
business "
13.
We live in a world where we expect buildings to stand up and
aircraft to stay in the air from take off to landing. We expect ships to
float and factories to deliver the specified product. Motor vehicles
operate reliably and houses keep out the weather. It is reasonable to
expect the same level of reliability from an I.T. investment.
This MasterClass will provide delegates with the principles and
approach that are required to design failure out of the I.T. solution,
thereby guaranteeing business outcome success.
A successful solution is a solution that does not fail.
Success is the consequence of a solution working according to
the required business performance measures, in other words, success is
the necessary outcome of an investment that is designed to deliver and
does NOT fail.
The MasterClass will outline the principles and approach
required to make sure that an investment does not fail, in other words,
the principles and approach required to guarantee success.
The resource and other impacts of this approach will also be
explained so that you have a clear understanding of the real cost and
time implications of I.T. investments.
"Contains valuable advice"
14.
As with the other components of this MasterClass this will equip
you to make informed contributions to discussion of proposed investments
and to vote with confidence when an investment proposal is tabled for a
decision.
15. Wrapping up - Essential I.T. Knowledge for Business Executives -
Executive MasterClass
The "Essential I.T. Knowledge for Business Executives" executive
MasterClass presents the consolidated findings, knowledge and experience
of Dr James Robertson based on over twenty six years of experience in
the application of information technology in business.
The MasterClass has been designed to distill the essence of this
experience as it applies to business executives for whom time is of the
essence.
The MasterClass is designed to deliver the essential points that
will equip executives to ask challenging and penetrating questions of
vendors, service providers and in-house personnel who are motivating
I.T. expenditure.
The class will equip you to speak with confidence in any I.T.
related investment discussion and to stand your ground when confronted
with the jargon and "technology speak" that many executives find
intimidating because it imputes that they do not know what they are
talking about.
We recommend the "Essential I.T. Knowledge for Business
Executives" executive MasterClass for any business executive who is
facing a major I.T. investment decision in the near future or who wants
an improved outcome from an existing investment.
The MasterClass is applicable to:
"Practically orientated "
16.
executives facing a decision with regard to a major new
investment
executives faced with approving next years I.T. budget
executives and managers faced with approval of individual
projects within the scope of major programmes or budgets that have
already been approved
executives and managers seeking improved performance from
existing I.T. investments
The "Essential I.T. Knowledge for Business Executives" executive
MasterClass is designed to level the playing field of business versus
technology.
In fact, as things stand at present, we think that the
"Essential I.T. Knowledge for Business Executives" executive MasterClass
might even tilt the playing field in favour of business for those
business executives who are willing to take "the bull by the horns" and
apply everything that is taught on this program.
In-House MasterClass
The "Essential I.T. Knowledge for Business Executives" executive
MasterClass either is also available as an in-house programme, the
standard programme or tailored to your corporate requirements.
Equip all your executives and senior managers with the information
contained in this course and change the culture of your organization
with regard to the application of I.T. in the business.
Please email us
<mailto:cpd.sharon at saice.org.za?subject=Order%20of%20book&body=Order%20t
%0d%0ahe%20book%20Essential%20I.T.%20Knowledge%20for%20Business%20Execut
ives> for further information
Administrative Matters
Venue:
SAICE House, Block 19, Thornhill Office Park, Bekker Street, Midrand
We will email you a map together with the invoice when we receive your
registration.
Date & Time:
The course will take place on Wednesday 3 December 2008 starting at
08h00 for 08h30 and running through to 17h30.
Lunch and teas will be served.
Cost:
* Cost of the MasterClass is R2200 including VAT and includes
lunch, teas and parking.
Handouts and certificates
Attendance certificates will be issued to all delegates on completion of
the MasterClass.
Delegates will receive copies of all the presentations in a file at the
commencement of the MasterClass.
Reservations
To reserve your place please reply to this email with details of the
delegate/s who will be attending.
For each delegate please supply name, name of company, email address,
position in company, postal address and contact telephone number.
Please also supply the VAT Registration Number for the organization to
which the invoice is to be issued.
Alternatively reservations can be made by telephone to 011-805 5947
On receipt of your reservation, we will email an official tax invoice to
you.
Payments should be made directly into our bank account, details as
follows:
Account Name: SAICE
Account Number: 200853058
Bank: Standard Bank
Branch: Park Town
Branch Code: 00-03-55
International Swift Interbank code SBZAZAJJ
Other Products and Services
There is also a motivational keynote address titled "Where in the World
is I.T. Going" which is designed to motivate I.T. personnel to go the
extra mile in becoming active business partners focussed on business
solutions.
Please contact us for details and information about these and other
services.
Book -- "The Critical Factors in Information Technology Investment
Success"
The book "The Critical Factors for Information Technology Investment
Success" is available as on optional purchase at R500 per copy.
If you are unable to attend the MasterClass, or would like additional
copies, the book is available for purchase independently of the
MasterClass.
Copies of the book can be ordered from us by replying to this email or
phoning 011-805 5947 or email aaylward at saice.org.za
<mailto:aaylward at saice.org.za?subject=Order%20of%20book&body=Order%20t%0
d%0ahe%20book%20Essential%20I.T.%20Knowledge%20for%20Business%20Executiv
es>
For more information about the course presenter, Dr James Robertson, and
about James A Robertson and Associates visit our website: www.jar-a.com
<http://www.jar-a.com>
We look forward to meeting you at the "Essential I.T. Knowledge for
Business Executives" executive MasterClass and to providing you with
ground breaking information on what your executives need to know in
order to take informed quality decisions about information technology
investments and the critical factors for those investments to succeed.
We are confident that your investment in attending this MasterClass will
pay for itself many times over.
Yours faithfully
JAMES A ROBERTSON AND ASSOCIATES
"Achieving effective, sustainable competitive advantage and profitable,
decisive corporate operations through effective application of
Information Technology"
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