The First Year as a Technology Executive of a Company is an authoritative, insider"s perspective on strategies for succeeding as a technology executive in the first year at a new company. Featuring CTOs and CIOs representing some of the top companies in the nation, this book provides best practices for gaining credibility, prioritizing goals, and encouraging a culture of open communication to learn how IT can serve business needs all in the initial twelve months on the job. Aware that the departing technology executive can serve as an invaluable resource to the incoming executive, the authors describe how to leverage this relationship for optimum results, along with the other crucial introductions that must be made proactively. Driven by the demand for IT to align business objectives with technology strategy, the authors explain how to gauge the effectiveness of current technology initiatives, obtain input from the management team, and present a strong vision that new colleagues will embrace. From cultivating key relationships to evaluating the existing team, these authors walk through how to best become familiar with the new company"s people, products, and practices. The authors explain how to examine and potentially discard the old way of doing things in favor of a more efficient method of achieving goals. Inside the Minds provides readers with proven business intelligence from C-Level executives (Chairman, CEO, CFO, CMO, Partner) from the world"s most respected companies nationwide, rather than third-party accounts from unknown authors and analysts. Each chapter is comparable to an essay/thought leadership piece and is a future-oriented look at where an industry, profession or topic is headed and the most important issues for the future. Chapters Include: 1. Arthur C. Peters, Vice President, Information Technology, ACT - "Cultivating Personal Relationships to Open the Lines of Communication" 2. David Steinour, Chief Information Officer, Furman University - "Strategies for Maximizing Impact" 3. O Neal Smitherman, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology - "Positioning IT as a Fully Integrated Entity within the Organization" 4. Richard P. Tracy, Chief Technology Officer, Telos Corporation - "Approaching Technology from a Business Perspective to Gain Group Support" 5. Stephen Sek, Chief Technology Officer, Axesstel Inc. - "Fostering Innovation through Open Communication" 6. Gregory S. Smith, Vice President and Chief Information Officer, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) - "Building Trust to Earn Respect and Loyalty as a New CIO" 7. Brian Shield, Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer, The Weather Channel - "IT Leadership Best Practices from a Technology Veteran" 8. Mike Bixenman, DBA, Chief Technology Officer, Kyzen Corporation - "Becoming a Thought Leader and Stimulating Progress" 9. Ori Artman, Chief Technology Officer, Teltone Corporation - "Taking Advantage of the First-Year Executive Status to Research, Remedy, and Make Positive Changes" 10. Andy Bass, Vice President, Technology, LeanLogistics - "Balancing a Technology Background with Business Acumen to Drive Value" 11. Boyd Badten, Director, Technical Service, PrintingForLess.com - "Getting It Right from the Start: How to Have a Successful First Year" 12. John Brian Anderson, Vice President, Information Technology, Professional Staffing Group - "Escaping the Ivory Tower: Making IT a True Business Partner" 13. Rony Abovitz, Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer, and Co-founder, MAKO Surgical Corp. - "Studying the Company, Its Leaders, and the Marketplace before Making Directional Changes" 14. Vance Bjorn, Chief Technology Officer, DigitalPersona Inc. - "The Twenty-Something CTO"