Access Point: Weekly News Roundup For IT Executives – May 3, 2024
Access Point is a weekly roundup of major tech news for IT executives on the go. This edition covers April 29-May 3.
In this week's news for IT executives:
Mid-market IT Leader On How He Achieved 'Hyper Growth'
Eric Tewey is the VP of information technology for Swisher Inc., the world's largest cigar manufacturer and distributor. The company, which manufactures and sells approximately 3 billion cigars yearly, doubled production and sales in seven years with no price increases and a marginal increase in headcount. Much of that growth can be attributed to Tewey's leadership in the company's IT innovation. Here's how he accomplished that success.
Becoming Mentally Stronger
A mental health expert weighed in on the habits of mentally strong people – tips you can apply both in your personal and your professional life as an IT executive. A couple of hints: they don't try to please everyone, and they don't avoid taking calculated risks. Read her advice here.
What Lies Ahead For Mid-market IT Leaders in 2024
Mike Cisek, VP analyst at Gartner, detailed the most pressing trends and challenges IT leaders face this year. Citing data, survey and hard facts, Cisek said IT executives should make plans now for the push for GenAI, app modernization, security and risk assessment, and more. Get his full scoop here.
Being A Great Leader Means 'Managing Up'
Stefanie Krievens, founder of The Change Architects and a speaker at the MES Midsize Summit, Spring 2024, held in Orlando, Fla. this week, gave advice on how to "manage up" and get the career you truly deserve. Read her great tips for IT executives and those aspiring to the C-suite level.
IT Leaders, Assemble!
From expert advice on how mid-market IT leaders can guide their companies to hyper growth, to a therapist's tips on becoming mentally stronger, the MES Midsize Enterprise Summit, Spring 2024, covered a wide array of topics through keynotes, boardroom sessions, demos and more. There was even a talking parrot involved. Check out the good time in this slideshow.
Other Tech News And Info
Some IT leaders say they are fighting to keep and retain quality IT talent on their teams. Three experienced IT leaders lent their expertise and experience to advise how to recruit and keep staff amid what some call, "a generation of entitlement."
Into podcasts? These podcasters, who also are IT professionals, took to the stage at the MES Spring Summit with their insightful and often funny takes on the implications of artificial intelligence for society.
Despite a recent slump in sales, Apple's shares rose in after-hours trading, and the company announced a record $110 billion stock buyback program—the largest in U.S. history. Get all the details here.