Businesses have dragged their feet on upgrading from the ten-year-old Windows XP to newer versions of Microsoft’s operating system.

Read the rest of Still on Windows XP? Don’t wait until Windows 8 to upgrade!

It’s an exciting time to be building a startup.

An interesting commentary on all the hats a startup founder needs to have…15 to be exact …the Silicon Valley Insider describes how to combine and reduce them: 15 Roles Every Startup Needs Filled

It’s amazing how people have found so many uses for mindmapping…and it’s fun (and educational) reviewing what they come up with.

IT consulting firms are likely to get squeezed out as business issues become a more important component to IT strategy and planning and traditional strategy firms seize the opportunity. While Strategy firms’ investments in IT strategy capabilities have achieved some success, most key IT strategy planning activities have still been left to internal organizations and the IT consulting firms. Kennedy’s research shows, however, that IT strategy is starting to become a significant growth area for certain practices within Strategy firms. Consider that information management is a critical success criterion for some companies, global sourcing decisions require coordination between IT and business operations, and that Strategy firms possess the most sophisticated risk-adjusted ROI capabilities. Since it is an attractive adjacent offering that can be added to existing proposals, IT Strategy is a natural fit that can extend capabilities and fuel additional growth for Strategy firms.

There is some satisfaction in saying, “I told you so.”

Within five years that client had their own web page (yes I did it) and put their materials catalog and service descriptions online. These days, if you don’t have a website, and even worse, an e-mail address, you are a non-entity. From a one-man contractor to a worldwide conglomerate, you need the resources. So I find it unusual to find businesses without either. I still hear, “This web thing, it’s just a fad!” And this I don’t get at all.

Then after you get a website, all I hear is “How do I know who’s visiting?” If you ask, your website is not doing its thing. And, Here’s 50 Reasons more people aren’t using your website.

The latest version of MindManager lets you create, visualize and communicate ideas, plans and projects (www.mindjet.com). You create mind maps that help you visualize the various relationships among elements in a project or a product. A wonderful way to go from an idea to a fully developed plan or to use in a group-brainstorming meeting.

Google Earth also made the Best Software list. Although it is fun and fascinating, I don’t use it that much in my daily work. And make sure you read all the way down to the Worst Product of 2005!