“When Computers Are Not Really ‘Brains’” by Lee Gomes (Forbes Magazine, 11 May 2009). Just something “fun” to ponder in your free time.

Deliver Magazine (Volume 5, Issue 2, May 2009). Please keep in mind that Deliver is published by USPS. Therefore the editorial perspective is biased towards direct mail. This could also explain why the articles aren’t part of their web site but (currently) can only be accessed via pdfs of each issue. To access the latest issue please click here.

Recommended articles:

- “What Direct Marketers Can Learn From Social Media” (pdf page 4, print page 6)
- “Direct Mail and the Purchase Funnel” by Charlotte Huff (pdf page 4, print page 7)
- “Driving The Message Home” by Bruce Britt (pdf page 7, print page 12)
- “Enlighten & Engage” by Natalie Engler (pdf page 14, print page 26)

If you only read one of the bunch then please jump to pdf page 15 (right page – print page 29) and consume the Paths to Marketing Betterment section. Those four tips are universal and essential to all.

“Microsoft CIO Tony Scott on IT Strategy in 2009″ by Brian P. Watson (CIO Insight Magazine, April 2009). Check out Mr. Scott’s handy analogy about learning to drive a car:

CIO Insight: What key things do CIOs need to keep in mind in executing their strategy through the recession?
Tony Scott: …The second thing is strategy. I compare that to when you first learn to drive a car. If you only look a few feet in front of the car, you wobble all over the road and steer around every little bump in the road. If you look down the road a bit, the car goes straighter, it’s a more enjoyable ride and you become a better driver.

“Getting It Done: Why Big IT Projects Fail” by Jay Bahel (CIO Insight Magazine, April 2009). Budgets are tighter than ever, to the point that the margin for error is razor thin. This list is hardly complete but it’s worth adding to your quiver. Naturally, we believe that Mr. Bahel’s ideas can be applied beyond IT and/or big projects.

“5 Tips for Retaining IT Workers” by Bob Violino (CIO Insight Magazine, April 2009). These tips are universal and need not be limited to IT personnel / organizations.