CIO strategy
Today's CIOs, CTOs, CDOs and other IT leaders must tackle constantly evolving challenges. Get critical news, guides and tips on how to excel in business and technology leadership. Topics include CIO strategy, business disruption, hybrid workforces, change management, cross-departmental collaboration, and how to lead projects related to metaverse, AI, and blockchain.
Top Stories
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Tip
22 Jan 2025
10 cybersecurity certifications to boost your career in 2025
A consensus of industry professionals rank these 10 security certifications as the most coveted by employers and security pros -- plus links to 10 vendor security certifications. Continue Reading
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News
17 Jan 2025
U.S. TikTok ban will affect small businesses
The Supreme Court upholds the U.S. TikTok ban, which means businesses that have used the app to reach and grow audiences will no longer be able to do so. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Mar 2024
Today's virtual reality use cases and industry applications
Applications of virtual reality in business are growing, as a range of industries finds valuable uses for this rapidly evolving technology. Continue Reading
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Definition
05 Mar 2024
Nvidia Omniverse
Nvidia Omniverse is a computing platform built to enhance digital design and development by integrating 3D design, spatial computing and physics-based workflows across Nvidia tools, third-party apps and AI services. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Mar 2024
What are the pros and cons of shadow IT?
The increase of generative AI, digital natives and remote work drives the rise of shadow IT. CIOs and IT leaders should evaluate the pros and cons to mitigate potential risks. Continue Reading
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Definition
05 Mar 2024
digital strategy (digital media strategy)
A digital strategy, sometimes called a digital media strategy, is a plan for maximizing the business benefits of data assets and technology-focused initiatives. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Mar 2024
The history of the metaverse explained (with timeline)
The term 'metaverse' has only recently gained currency, but its history is long. Learn about the technologies that gave rise to a concept many believe will change civilization. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Mar 2024
Metaverse vs. multiverse vs. omniverse: Key differences
Virtual realities are coming to a computer interface near you. Will you be joining a metaverse, multiverse or an enterprise-oriented version of the omniverse? Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Feb 2024
The Metaverse Standards Forum: What you need to know
Creating an open and inclusive metaverse will require the development and adoption of interoperability standards. That's the tall order of the Metaverse Standards Forum. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Feb 2024
7 tech jobs IT pros can use to help the environment
Almost every job can be used to help save the planet, and that's true for IT roles as well. Learn how these seven business tech jobs can promote sustainability. Continue Reading
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News
28 Feb 2024
Biden aims to protect data, calls for U.S. data privacy law
President Joe Biden is aiming to stop the sale of Americans' sensitive data to countries of concern, while also pushing for a U.S. data privacy law. Continue Reading
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News
27 Feb 2024
US tech used in Russian weapons, despite export controls
U.S. export controls aren't keeping technology produced by Intel, AMD, Analog Devices and Texas Instruments from ending up in weapons systems used in Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Continue Reading
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News
26 Feb 2024
New merger guidelines, crackdown affect business strategies
The FTC and DOJ will be closely scrutinizing mergers and acquisitions heading into 2024 based on new merger guidelines released in December 2023. Continue Reading
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Definition
26 Feb 2024
conflict-free replicated data type (CRDT)
A conflict-free replicated data type (CRDT) is a data structure that lets multiple people or applications make changes to the same piece of data. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Feb 2024
4 virtual reality ethics issues that need to be addressed
Technology has outpaced societal guard rails throughout history. Virtual reality is no exception, introducing ethical and legal issues companies need to consider. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Feb 2024
10 skills CIO job candidates need in 2024
Learn which capabilities chief information officer candidates need in 2024 if they want to land top roles and which macro factors are driving changes in IT leadership. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Feb 2024
What is a VR developer and how do you become one?
Becoming a VR developer requires coding skills, the ability to work fast and a willingness to promote yourself. In a demanding and evolving industry, a thick hide also helps. Continue Reading
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News
21 Feb 2024
U.S. weighs National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act
Policymakers are considering the bipartisan National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act, which would continue quantum computing R&D as well as move toward commercialization. Continue Reading
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News
20 Feb 2024
Cloud costs continue to rise in 2024
Enterprises might look more closely at workload allocation and explore alternative platforms amid ongoing cloud price hikes. Storage costs are also trending upward. Continue Reading
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News
15 Feb 2024
Generative AI for enterprises: ADP, IKEA launch tools
The human capital management company and the retailer have taken different roads to GenAI deployment. But both enterprises aim to boost customer experience. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Feb 2024
Top business process modeling techniques with examples
Business process modeling techniques and tools provide a visual representation of processes that's crucial to effectively monitoring, improving and streamlining the flow of tasks. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Feb 2024
What does a knowledge manager do?
Knowledge managers use technical skills to maintain knowledge base software and interpersonal skills to encourage employees to share best practices with each other. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Feb 2024
How to develop a business process in 8 steps
Well-designed business processes help organizations achieve their goals faster, but they require planning and effort. Follow these steps to develop processes that deliver value. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Feb 2024
How to improve and optimize a business process, step by step
The processes that form the backbone of modern business operations require continuous improvement to stay effective and efficient. Here is a method for improving them. Continue Reading
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Definition
12 Feb 2024
robotic process automation (RPA)
Robotic process automation (RPA) is a technology that mimics the way humans interact with software to perform high-volume, repeatable tasks. Continue Reading
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News
12 Feb 2024
US works to develop AI standards while California legislates
California has proposed AI regulation as the U.S. works to develop AI standards by bringing together companies such as Apple, Amazon, Google and Microsoft. Continue Reading
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News
12 Feb 2024
Businesses brace for FCC's ban on AI robocalls
The FCC's ban on AI-generated robocalls comes in response to growing concern about bad actors using AI to mimic someone's likeness and voice to spread misinformation. Continue Reading
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Definition
12 Feb 2024
spatial computing
Spatial computing broadly characterizes the processes and tools used to capture, process and interact with three-dimensional (3D) data. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Feb 2024
Top metaverse cybersecurity challenges: How to address them
As the metaverse takes shape, companies must consider a slew of new cybersecurity challenges and how to deal with them. Continue Reading
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News
08 Feb 2024
Amazon weighs in on AI regulation
Amazon supports a risk-based approach to artificial intelligence regulation, which means focusing on regulating harmful uses of AI. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Feb 2024
8 dangers of shadow IT and how to manage them
Unauthorized devices, software and system changes -- and other forms of shadow IT -- can expose organizations to a range of security risks. Here are ways to manage them. Continue Reading
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Definition
05 Feb 2024
self-service analytics
Self-service analytics is a type of business intelligence (BI) that enables business users to access, manipulate, analyze and visualize data, as well as generate reports based on their discoveries. Continue Reading
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News
01 Feb 2024
FASB rule could shake up, simplify software cost reporting
Stakeholders want a single rule for reporting software development costs in a simplified manner, which the Financial Accounting Standards Board is considering. Continue Reading
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Definition
01 Feb 2024
value chain
A value chain is a concept describing the full chain of a business's activities in creating a product or service -- from initial receipt of materials through its delivery to market. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Jan 2024
Top metaverse investors and how to start investing
Would-be metaverse investors have many ways to get in on the action. Read our coverage of the metaverse's top investors, direct investing opportunities and investment risks. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Jan 2024
2024 technology predictions around AI, Mojo and blockchain
Blockchain, AI, anti-competitive activity and the new programming language Mojo are sure to fill the headlines in 2024. Continue Reading
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Definition
29 Jan 2024
competitive differentiation
Competitive differentiation is a strategic positioning tactic an organization can undertake to set its products, services and brands apart from those of its competitors. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Jan 2024
Metaverse privacy concerns and how to address them
Data privacy in the metaverse is a moving target. Learn about the main privacy issues and risk for businesses and users -- and how best to address them. Continue Reading
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News
25 Jan 2024
FTC launches inquiry into generative AI partnerships
The FTC has announced that it's looking into the relationships between big tech companies and generative AI companies and their impact on the market. Continue Reading
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News
24 Jan 2024
Enforcement remains a concern for EU AI Act
The EU AI Act is approaching finalization, and while there could be enforcement challenges down the road, businesses need to prepare. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Jan 2024
Debunking 5 blockchain myths and misconceptions
There's more to blockchain development than what you hear from the crypto community. Here, we debunk five common blockchain myths. Continue Reading
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News
23 Jan 2024
Watsonx AI bots assist IBM Consulting in client GenAI projects
IBM Consulting rolls out role-based bots to streamline consultants' work as they enable digital transformation for customers. Continue Reading
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Definition
23 Jan 2024
enterprise agility
Enterprise agility is a paradigm for scaling agile methodologies beyond development teams. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Jan 2024
How will the metaverse affect the future of work?
Virtual field trips to the Louvre for inspiration, accelerated learning, onboarding reimagined -- how will the metaverse change our working environments and when? It depends. Continue Reading
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News
19 Jan 2024
Competition, cooperation will define U.S.-China relations
Business leaders will need to take steps over the next decade to prepare for U.S., China relations largely defined by competition and how policymakers approach cooperation. Continue Reading
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News
19 Jan 2024
Democratizing machine learning hits cultural, tech snags
Forrester Consulting-Capital One study points to organizational silos, disconnect between line-of-business and data managers, and hard-to-use machine learning tools as challenges. Continue Reading
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Definition
17 Jan 2024
startup culture
A startup culture is a workplace environment that values creative problem-solving, open communication and a flat hierarchy. Continue Reading
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Definition
17 Jan 2024
OODA loop
The OODA loop -- Observe, Orient, Decide, Act -- is a four-step approach to decision-making that focuses on filtering available information, putting it in context and quickly making the most appropriate decision, while also understanding that changes can be made as more data becomes available. Continue Reading
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Definition
17 Jan 2024
SMAC (social, mobile, analytics and cloud)
SMAC (social, mobile, analytics and cloud) is the concept that the convergence of four technologies is currently driving business innovation. Continue Reading
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News
16 Jan 2024
U.S. agencies preparing open source AI assessment, standards
Biden's executive order on artificial intelligence directs agencies such as the Commerce Department to assess the risks and benefits of AI, craft standards, and study safeguards. Continue Reading
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News
16 Jan 2024
Former GOP candidate's AI chatbot fielded policy questions
Former presidential candidate Asa Hutchinson used an AI chatbot to provide insight on his policy stances, a development that both impresses and worries tech and media experts. Continue Reading
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News
16 Jan 2024
Prices rise as IT spending trends upward for servers, storage
IT prices increased in December across four key commodities -- a pattern that coincides with a revival in demand for servers and storage following a 2023 drop. Continue Reading
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News
12 Jan 2024
Big tech reps call for U.S. data privacy law at CES 2024
Corporate data privacy advocates said that a federal law could provide businesses with consistency and facilitate future regulation for artificial intelligence. Continue Reading
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Definition
11 Jan 2024
paternalistic leadership
Paternalistic leadership is a managerial approach that involves a dominant authority figure who acts as a patriarch or matriarch and treats employees and partners as though they were members of a large, extended family. Continue Reading
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News
11 Jan 2024
Apple, Google face tumultuous legal year ahead
Google has agreed to make changes to its app store, while Apple has remained largely unscathed after antitrust trials challenged both companies' app store operating models. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Jan 2024
12 top business process management tools for 2024
BPMS is becoming a business transformation engine as vendors infuse their tools with powerful AI and hyperautomation capabilities. Read our review of today's top BPM offerings. Continue Reading
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News
10 Jan 2024
Editor's Note: Expanding our coverage to serve you
Move will double editorial staff, strengthen vertical coverage and deepen technology expertise. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Jan 2024
7 business process management challenges and how to fix them
Unclear goals, weak C-level support and subpar testing setups are among the factors that can derail BPM initiatives. Learn about seven BPM challenges and ways to overcome them. Continue Reading
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News
03 Jan 2024
Where AI and quantum computing meet
Quantum computing may be years away from practical enterprise applications, but it's getting closer. We talked with IBM's quantum adoption leader to see where we're at right now. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Jan 2024
16 BPM best practices to ensure project success
A BPM approach to transformation enables companies to continuously improve and reinvent their business processes, injecting innovation as they go. Learn how to do it right. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Jan 2024
14 CIO priorities and trends for 2024
The job is as big and challenging as ever. In 2024, CIOs will be asked to find business value in GenAI, mitigate AI risks and solve the talent crunch, among other pressing issues. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Dec 2023
Quantum computing in business applications
Quantum computing shows great potential for faster problem-solving, among other benefits. Discover key areas where the enterprise could implement the rapidly advancing tech. Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Dec 2023
globalization
Globalization is the process by which ideas, knowledge, information, goods and services spread around the world. Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Dec 2023
business process outsourcing (BPO)
Business process outsourcing (BPO) is a business practice in which an organization contracts with an external service provider to perform an essential business function or task. Continue Reading
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News
20 Dec 2023
Agencies support regulating commercial space industry
The White House wants to divide regulatory authority for new commercial space industry activities between the DOC and DOT, a move that has federal agency support. Continue Reading
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News
20 Dec 2023
Mercy Ships network transformation nears completion
The tech upgrade brings expanded network capabilities to the NGO's hospital ships, with improved remote consultation and dockside medical services among the expected benefits. Continue Reading
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News
19 Dec 2023
U.S.-China relations will affect businesses in 2024
U.S.-China relations will affect U.S. businesses in 2024, whether it's through more export controls or building alliances with other countries on technology. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Dec 2023
digital leadership
Digital leadership is the strategic use of a company's digital assets and emerging technologies to achieve business goals. A digital leader is a person who guides this digital approach within an organization. Continue Reading
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News
15 Dec 2023
Small language models an emerging GenAI force
Enterprises are unwilling to pay for large language models to accomplish simple business tasks with generative AI. They're looking at cheaper small language models. Continue Reading
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News
15 Dec 2023
DOJ's long-term goals in Google antitrust case unclear
The DOJ faced off against Google this year in an antitrust trial, claiming that Google maintained an illegal monopoly over the online search and search advertising markets. Continue Reading
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Definition
15 Dec 2023
What is business process management? A guide to BPM
Business process management (BPM) is a structured approach to improving the processes organizations use to get work done, serve their customers and generate business value. Continue Reading
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News
14 Dec 2023
Technology inflation rate edges up for storage, IT services
Price hikes persist for professional services and cloud, while an increase in storage costs could reflect a return toward more typical pricing levels after a period of decline. Continue Reading
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Definition
14 Dec 2023
business process automation (BPA)
Business process automation (BPA) is the use of advanced technology to complete business processes with minimal human intervention. Continue Reading
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News
13 Dec 2023
Businesses need to prepare for climate reporting in 2024
The EU CSRD will require climate reporting starting in 2024, while businesses will need to prepare for California's climate rule reporting starting in 2026. Continue Reading
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Feature
12 Dec 2023
2023 year in review: Top tech business topics
2023 brought major tech innovations and controversies, proving that balancing innovation, ethics and regulation is crucial for a positive tech future. Continue Reading
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News
11 Dec 2023
EU AI Act brings tough rules and big fines to businesses
The EU AI Act, if passed into law, would prohibit certain AI applications and implement transparency requirements for generative artificial intelligence systems. Continue Reading
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Definition
11 Dec 2023
IT cost structure
IT cost structure refers to the relationship between different types of expenditures within a larger IT budget. Continue Reading
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Definition
11 Dec 2023
business innovation
Business innovation is an organization's process for introducing new ideas, workflows, methodologies, services or products. Continue Reading
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News
07 Dec 2023
Federal procurement of AI tools hurt by White House rules
Obstacles facing Biden's executive order on AI and draft OMB guidance include lack of clarity around AI procurement and inability of Congress to take action on AI policy. Continue Reading
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News
06 Dec 2023
Congress might act on AI-generated content in 2024
Misinformation is an issue facing digital platforms that's being exacerbated by AI-generated content, something Congress could tackle in the new year. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Dec 2023
7 top business process management benefits, advantages
Streamlined workflows, greater agility and scalability, tighter process controls, reduced risks, lower costs and better customer engagements are among the notable BPM benefits. Continue Reading
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Definition
05 Dec 2023
stacked ranking (stack ranking)
Stacked ranking (stack ranking) is an employee evaluation method that slots a certain percentage of employees into each of several levels of performance. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Dec 2023
How to set business goals, step by step
Setting business goals that are detailed and come with deadlines motivates employees and keeps your company on track. Learn how to do it. Continue Reading
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Definition
01 Dec 2023
Universal Process Notation (UPN)
Universal Process Notation is a method for illustrating the steps in a business process. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Dec 2023
RPA vs. BPM: How are they different?
Don't confuse RPA with BPM. These process-oriented initiatives are distinctly different but also highly complementary when planning, automating and improving business operations. Continue Reading
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Definition
30 Nov 2023
targeted ad (targeted advertising)
A targeted ad, or targeted advertising, is a method of displaying advertisements to a specific group of people based on their demographics, behavior, interests, or other criteria. Continue Reading
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News
29 Nov 2023
White House unveils plan to build supply chain resilience
New Biden administration actions for supply chains include a cross-governmental council, use of the Defense Production Act for essential medicines, and data sharing and analytics. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Nov 2023
How AI is radically changing business process management
Deploying AI's discovery and automation capabilities in BPM powers advancements in front-office processes, process data analysis, business process mapping and process modeling. Continue Reading
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Definition
28 Nov 2023
corporate culture
Corporate culture is the collection of values, beliefs, ethics and attitudes that characterize an organization and guide its practices. Continue Reading
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Definition
28 Nov 2023
business process reengineering (BPR)
Business process reengineering (BPR) is a management practice in which business processes used are radically redesigned to improve efficiency, effectiveness and performance. Continue Reading
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Definition
22 Nov 2023
radical innovation
Radical innovation is an invention that destroys or supplants an existing business model. Continue Reading
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News
21 Nov 2023
Former OpenAI CEO gains strong legal backing with Microsoft
Should ousted OpenAI CEO Sam Altman be involved in any federal investigations going forward, he now has the legal backing of Microsoft as an employee. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Nov 2023
BPO vs. BPM: What is the difference?
BPO and BPM both aim to improve business processes. One is a management approach to optimizing end-to-end processes. The other is a strategy used to improve specific processes. Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Nov 2023
process mining
Process mining is a technique that interprets logs from enterprise applications -- like customer resource management (CRM) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) platforms -- to identify the steps in common business processes, detect variations and prioritize areas of improvement. Continue Reading
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Podcast
20 Nov 2023
Diving into Wayfair's machine learning odyssey
From starting with using the technology to determine the best marketing mediums to using GenAI tools internally, the online retail giant's AI experience has evolved. Continue Reading
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News
16 Nov 2023
Regulating digital industries might require a new U.S. agency
U.S. senators and industry experts are pushing for a new agency to regulate digital industries and tackle competition, privacy and content moderation concerns. Continue Reading
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Definition
16 Nov 2023
managerial grid model (The Blake and Mouton Managerial Grid model)
The managerial grid model was developed by Robert R. Blake and Jane S. Mouton in the 1960s to help companies and individuals analyze and improve management styles. Continue Reading
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News
16 Nov 2023
Cloud costs increase amid SaaS pricing hikes
CIOs face higher SaaS prices, with a new report pegging the inflation rate at 8.7%. The wider cloud segment saw a 3.2% inflation rate in October, according to U.S. government data. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Nov 2023
The push is on to build the autonomous enterprise
The concept of an autonomous enterprise is becoming more real as enterprises combine technologies to automate all kinds of human work. Welcome to the 'Autonomous Revolution.' Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Nov 2023
Explaining labor shortages and how to overcome them
A labor shortage occurs when demand for workers exceeds supply, often leading to unfilled jobs, delayed services and potentially higher wages. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Nov 2023
Enterprise IT shops more likely to buy GenAI than build it
GenAI power requirements, the cost of computing and storage, and the high salaries demanded by AI specialists make it unlikely enterprises will take a do-it-yourself approach. Continue Reading
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Definition
14 Nov 2023
workflow
Workflow is the series of activities that are necessary to complete a task. Continue Reading