Global CIO: The Top 10 CIO Issues For 2009

What should be on your agenda next year: A CIO-centric blend of business and tech issues that will help you increase business and customer value.

By Bob Evans,  InformationWeek
Dec. 30, 2008
URL: http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=212700241

Given what's going on in the economy these days, maybe the No. 1 item on this list should be "Stay employed." But we figure you've all got that one nailed, so we've focused on a CIO-oriented blend of business and technology issues that in the end represent opportunities for you and your team to drive greater business value and customer value. And, to be sure, many other issues could have made this list -- we're assuming as givens things like increase revenue, make a profit, turn out great products, etc.

Along with each of the Top 10 CIO-centric issues, we've included at least one thematic piece published in 2008 by InformationWeek that offers valuable perspectives on these top-priority subjects. Please let us know what you think at bevans@techweb.com:

1. Customer-Facing Innovation. While it's essential for CIOs and your teams to be innovating across all parts of your operation, the greatest value in 2009 will come from efforts that directly connect your brands, products, services, and capabilities with your customers. In fact, in 2009, I think we'll see this term shift from "customer-facing" to "customer-embracing" to signify the move from the largely passive approach of merely facing your customers to the more-active and -engaged notion of embracing. Two articles that offer significant insights into this concept are this blog post introducing "The New Age of Innovation" microsite we created in April with authors C.K. Prahalad and M.S. Krishnan for their superb new book of that name; and a revealing look inside one of the top consumer brands in the world via Mary Hayes' "Coca-Cola's CIO Talks Innovation".

2. Attacking The 80/20 Ratio. Just as customer-facing innovation is the top outward-facing CIO priority for 2009, the inward-looking top priority is attacking the maintenance glutton that sucks up 75% or even 80% of your precious IT budget. Unless this beast is confronted and defeated, you're going to face an ugly 2009 with little or no money available for innovation, and that inability to push the company forward will, sadly, enhance the stereotype of you and your team as a cost center that impedes progress rather than accelerating it. In that context, we're happy to provide a richly detailed account for how to make it happen with Chris Murphy's superb "HP Goes All In With IT Transformation".

3. The Challenging Economy. Making your already-difficult job even a little more demanding, the current global economic mess is forcing CIOs to find ways to pursue the top two agenda items while also slashing away at costs. To see how some of your peers are tackling those challenges, check out another great piece by Chris Murphy called "How CIOs Are Setting IT Strategy Amid Economic Uncertainty".

4. The Strategic CIO. And somehow in 2009, even as you're dealing with those three issues above, you'll have to make some time to continue finding additional ways to enhance your role as a strategic business leader within your organization. While that certainly implies an open-ended set of possibilities, here are a couple of pieces that will offer some ideas of what you should be doing, "Tomorrow's CIO: The Qualifications," and what you should definitely not be doing, "Two Flavors of CIO, Each Leaving An Aftertaste".

5. Cloud Computing. Is it safe? Is it practical? Is it The End Of IT? Is it right for you and your company? InformationWeek's John Foley, who recently launched an excellent new site called Plug Into The Cloud, offers some CIO perspectives in his insightful overview, "CIOs On Cloud Computing".

6. The SaaS Effect. In 2008, like cloud computing, SaaS went from a slightly marginal prospect into a full-fledged player as large, midsize, and small companies alike began adopting the notion of having someone else host mission-critical applications. One of the challenges CIOs faced and will continue to face with the SaaS model is integration, and Mary Hayes offers an outstanding look at the challenges and solutions in "SaaS Integration: Real-World Problems, And How CIOs Are Solving Them".

7. Virtualization. While this became one of the most widely pursued approaches to attacking the 80/20 problem, some CIOs did not or could not make a strong case to the CEO and other executives about the business value virtualization can offer. So in some cases it was seen as a cool back-office techy thing, but not something to be confused with a game-changing business tool. Art Wittmann offers some analysis on this must-solve 2009 problem with "Does Management Get Virtualization?".

8. Outsourcing. Although it's widely used and most CIOs feel it can offer huge value, outsourcing is still regarded by some as anywhere from too risky to too mean-spirited. Chris Murphy shines some clear thinking on the whole matter as part of his two-week adventure in India with "Report From India: 5 Reasons To Outsource".

9. Green Computing. While a lot of attention around this issue was centered on the dubious claims of saving the planet, many companies devised excellent approaches to lowering energy consumption, reducing costs, and doing a better job with recycling -- all good business practices. In the midyear days of $4 gallons of gasoline, John Soat fingered the real culprit with "Energy Woes? Blame The CIO!".

10. Radical Desktops. Here's how Joe Hernick opens his analysis of how the trusty old desktop computer is about to undergo some massive change: "A slate of contentious issues -- social, economic, and technological -- will radically alter the business user's computing experience by the end of this decade." Virtualization, smartphones, new platforms, and more all play a role in "Radical Desktops Deliver Power To The People. But What About IT?".

So that's our list of things to keep you CIOs busy in 2009. If it's any solace, we here at Global CIO are honored to be able to follow your efforts and challenges and achievements, and to share the perspectives we hear from you and your peers as you attempt to change how the world thinks, works, plays, learns, communicates, and views itself. Thanks for the opportunity to serve you, thanks for your trust, and thanks for the great work you do. May 2009 be full of promise, fulfillment, and fun. Happy New Year!

To find out more about Bob Evans, please visit his page.

One Million Job Cuts Predicted in 2009

Reported by: RNS

Monday, Dec 22, 2008 @09:15am CST

Another one million Americans will likely be getting pink slips next year.

That's according to the latest forecast from layoff tracking firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas.

The Chicago-based company says employers have already shed more than a million jobs this year because of weak consumer and corporate spending, a trend that is expected to continue.

CEO John Challenger says a massive stimulus plan expected from the Obama administration is going to take time to work through the system. He says even if the Obama plan goes well it could be several months before we see the benefits.

Challenger says the state of the economy and the job market will have a significant impact on 2009 workplace trends. He says there could be a major shift toward telecommuting as employers look to cut costs without turning to layoffs.

Challenger says many companies have already found they can save big on real estate costs by having employees work from home.

He says job seekers are also likely to turn to the Internet, enhancing their work search through video resumes posted on YouTube and the use of social networking sites. The national unemployment rate is now at six-point-seven percent.

Some economists expect that number to go as high as nine percent before the job market even starts to rebound.

Challenger says health care, education and energy industries are likely to do the most hiring in the year ahead. He says construction could be the lone industry to see an immediate boost from Barack Obama's economic plans since they focus heavily on a nationwide infrastructure rebuilding program.

Manage Telecommuters Without Losing Your Mind

Alexandra Krasne, PC World

If you could roll out of bed, commute just 40 feet, work in your robe and fuzzy slippers, and save thousands of dollars on travel expenses, would you do it? And, as a business owner or manager, would you offer the same benefit to your employees?

According to a survey commissioned by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), 67 percent of survey respondents said their organization has experienced greater worker productivity as a result of allowing employees to telecommute, either full- or part-time. The main reason for the increase in worker output: less commute time.

No doubt telecommuting offers numerous benefits to employees and employers alike, but with the distractions of home life beckoning, children to drop off at school, a kitchen to clean, and laundry to wash, can a telecommuter be as productive as employees in the office? More important, can technology keep your data secure, your teams connected, and your employees accountable? It can, as long as you plan well.
Plan First

Whether you decide to allow employees to work from home one day a week or all five, the key to implementing a successful telecommuting program lies in developing a well-thought-out plan, says Steve Simmons, vice president of software development at VIPdesk. VIPdesk's outsourced, home-based customer service representatives provide technical support to clients. But with an entirely work-at-home customer-care group, the company needed to implement a failproof telecommuting plan in order for the business to succeed.

Understanding the software and tools that employees use during their day-to-day activities, how often they use them, and any associated security risks involved in allowing company data offsite will inform your overall telecommuting plan. After a review, you might determine that accounting or human resources information should be required to stay in-office only, while sales data could be viewable outside the walls of your headquarters, for example. You should carefully assess such things prior to allowing employees to work offsite, to avoid technical glitches and data leaks.

"Don't do it by the seat of your pants," Simmons advises. "Don't let some sales guy sell you some product that will solve all your problems. One of the things we found is that, a lot of times, vendors will say device X is compatible with that VPN, but that's not always the case. You don't always get a straight story."
Know the Technology Involved

The first technology layer of a secure telecommuting plan is the VPN (virtual private network) that will provide encryption between the employee working at home on their own connection and your office's internal network. VIPdesk uses two-factor authentication for added network security. (One-factor authentication requires only a user name and password, and doesn't offer a high level of security.)

A network access control device, or NAC device, is another important piece to consider. A NAC will query each machine--before it's granted access to the network--to check whether certain software, such as an antivirus utility, is installed. When a user logs in, the NAC can even ensure that the user has a firewall set up and that patches are up-to-date. If the set criteria are not met, that user's computer will not be allowed on the network.

If your company stores credit card information or other data, consider installing a third-party application on company PCs that can disable external USB devices when a user is logged in to your office network via VPN. This arrangement protects your sensitive data and prevents a remote employee from downloading client data. If the software detects the presence of an external USB device, such as a thumb drive, it will terminate the connection. (VIPdesk uses Secure It Easy.)

Keep a Watchful Eye (or Learn to Trust your Employees)

While you don't necessarily need to watch an employee's every mouse click, it's a good idea to set ground rules and make sure that staffers aren't catching up on Oprah or heading out to a baseball game during work hours.

Brian Diamond, founder of Telecommuting360, a Web site and open forum dedicated to educating people about telecommuting, advises managers to be transparent about watching employees. He notes that most remote office and telecommuting packages have auditing built in. Citrix, for example, offers logging on its XenDesktop product so that a manager can receive a log of an employee's entire day, including chat sessions, e-mail messages sent, and IP-telephony calls. (Install this type of technology in the office first, so that we can track those individuals that spend half the day wondering the halls, taking personal phone calls, and kissing up to the boss.  Perhaps telecommuters could be held to a higher standard from thier office co-workers, such as deliverables...but only for individuals who actually perform within given time lines.)

State laws vary, however, and some require employers to inform employees that they may be monitored, so be sure to check your state's laws before proceeding. Draft a policy stating that the employer may monitor the employee, says Diamond, and have each employee sign it. Then, send out a monthly reminder. If employees know that they may be monitored, Diamond says, it can be good motivation not to slack off.

"If you don't watch what [remote employees] are doing, you see a drop-off in work productivity over time," he warns.

If you don't have a package with auditing, another simple solution is to require that remote employees use instant messaging software so you can see their online status and ping them at any time during the workday.

The open-source and free IM client Pidgin has a feature called "buddy pounce" that allows you to follow a user and be notified the moment they sign on. Some enterprise applications, such as IBM's Lotus SameTime service, offer secure IM, logging, and built-in VoIP.

Finally, watch out for programs such as Auto Reply Manager, which automatically create messages and send replies based on rules that the user has set. If you suspect an employee is using one of these tools, send a very specific message and see what kind of answer you receive.
Manage Meetings and Projects From Afar

Seeing facial expressions and hearing vocal intonation is a much better way to communicate than shooting e-mail back and forth, but if your team is remote, Web conferencing can be almost the same as being there.

Gmail and Skype offer free, secure options, and many instant messaging programs are now starting to incorporate conferencing. But while the grainy video of most Webcams leaves much to be desired, high-resolution video is the next best thing to an in-person meeting. A recent PC World Australia article delves into a few of the latest conferencing products, such as Access Grid's high-resolution video and shared whiteboard.

Though meetings may not always be necessary, dropping by Bob's desk to find out when you'll get his latest sales report might be something you're used to doing when working in an office. Luckily, project-management software such as Microsoft Project or the open-source Basecamp makes tracking tasks easy. Project-management software not only lets you see tasks, deadlines, statuses, and expected completion dates but also allows your group to share documents online.

Telecommuting might not be an appropriate arrangement for all offices or all employees, but putting a secure and well-designed telecommuting plan in place may yield a happier, more productive workforce. And there's nothing like holding a board meeting in your pink fuzzy slippers.
Telecommuting Checklist

You have many elements to think about when creating a telecommuting program. Consider including an assessment of the following components in your plan:

Security/Connectivity

   * VPN
   * VoIP
   * NAC
   * Automatic backup and restore
   * Data encryption
   * Software patches
   * Two-factor authentication
   * Firewall
   * Virus and spyware protection
   * "Time-out" function

Collaboration

   * Instant messaging
   * Videoconferencing
   * Collaboration software
   * Document sharing

Top 5 Ways A Virtual Assistant Can Save You Money!
By: Jan Harris

Have you ever considered hiring a Virtual Assistant?

Can a Virtual Assistant (VA) really save you money? You may be
surprised to learn how cost effective a virtual assistant can be. A
good VA can save your business time and money and help your business
grow. This article highlights the top 5 ways a Virtual Assistant can
save your business money.

Many business owners have never thought of hiring a virtual assistant
despite the growing popularity of this home based business. Some still
don't even know what a Virtual assistants are and just how cost
effective they can be. In fact, Virtual Assistants are one of the most
affordable contract professionals you can use for outsourcing!

One of the benefits the Virtual Assistant can provide is a cost
effective way of obtaining high level administrative services. Most
virtual assistants in the United States and other native English
speaking countries charge between $35 -$75 per hour. At first glance
this may seem like a high fee and maybe you are wondering just how a
Virtual Assistant can save you money?

Here are the top 5 things to consider before you decide whether or not
to hire a Virtual Assistant.

1. Although at first glance their rate may seem high, you have to
remember all of the additional costs you will pay for when hiring a
full-time employee. In addition to the hourly wage you pay, you must
also pay for taxes, benefits, office and equipment costs as well as
vacation and sick time. A Virtual Assistant covers all of her own
expenses.

2. An hourly employee is paid whether they are working or not. During
slow times or when they are sick, you still pay. A virtual assistant
only charges for time actually worked.

3. Virtual Assistant are highly skilled with many years of high level
administrative experience. They work quickly and efficiently while
requiring little or no training. An efficient assistant will take less
time to produce much higher quality work than a less skilled assistant
who will work for a lower hourly wage.

4. Businesses who use the services of Virtual Assistants have claimed
as much as a 50% increase in the productivity of their business. Many
VAs are highly skilled in business procedures and can help you
identify cost effective ways to run your business. A good VA can save
you valuable time by scheduling meetings, responding to emails and
sales leads, planning events and travel arrangements.

5. Many entrepreneurs and small business spend too much of their time
on administrative tasks which leaves them less time to do the things
they need to build their businesses. By outsourcing these tasks, you
can concentrate on the tasks needed to grow your business.

These are just five ways a Virtual Assistant can save you money. There
are actually many advantages to using their services and you may just
find that hiring a Virtual Assistant is the best solution for your
business. Learn more about what a Virtual Assistant is and why hiring
a virtual assistant can save your business save time and money.

About the author: Jan Harris is a veteran administrative professional
with over 20 years of experience and currently works at home as a
Virtual Assistant. Visit her site for information on the Virtual
Assistant Profession at http://www.VirtualAssistantsGuide.com.

Article Source: www.isnare.com

Little White eBook of Homeshoring Jobs

Little White eBook of Homeshoring Jobs

By Lisa, Editor in Find Jobs, Resources, Reviews on December 5th, 2008

While I was doing some research to find a few companies that hire call center agents to list in my post about having a phone and a plethora of patience just the other day, I ran across an ebook offering that looked, at first glance, to be pretty darned informative. So I contacted the publisher and asked for more information and a copy of the ebook to see for myself if it really was informative. I thought I might as well review it here on Telecommuting Journal, right! I wasn't able to get the entire ebook free for a review (only the first 3 chapters and a few example company listings) so I purchased it for myself.

To be honest, I was not expecting this review to be very flattering. But I was pleasantly surprised and extremely impressed with what I found inside. Enough so that I feel compelled to actually recommend this ebook to anyone looking to become a home-based call center agent. Most of the work-at-home ebooks available out there are extremely disappointing, sneaky, and don't deliver what they promise.

However, the Little White eBook of Homeshoring Jobs actually provides exactly what they promise, and then some.

Here's what they promised:

. . .243 pages and 198 listings of real virtual call center employers. It's truly your complete guide to virtual call center employment from home. These companies regularly hire people across North America to answer their phones and perform administrative tasks. The positions these companies hire for range from customer service to telemarketing - and everything in between.

Here's what they provided:

• 243 pages of well-researched, solid information including sensible introductory chapters that offer additional information about the industry and about working as a call center agent.
• Company profile pages that provide a lot of relevant information (like Better Business Bureau ratings links if they're available, typical openings, typical salaries, job schedules, a link to the company's employment page and main page, LinkedIn profile page, etc). I counted 196 home-shoring company profiles, 8 Canada-Only home-shoring company profiles, and 4 additional home-shoring companies that prefer to hire military spouses, vets, and disabled. That's 204 company profile listings (which is 6 more than I was promised).
• It appears that it's regularly updated. Several of the company profiles seem to be new listings and the title page of my copy says Updated 2/10/08. The purchase thank you page notes that I'm eligible for free updates if I elect to receive them.
• They've listed their resources - nearly 10 pages of online resources with clickable links to each.
• It's reasonably priced at $30

And here's how they presented it:

• A 1-page Title Page
• A 1-page Introduction: Using this Resource
• An 8-page Table of Contents
• A 16-page Section One - An Intro to Virtual Call Center jobs that includes the following information:
  • The Importance of Doing Your Research
  • The Importance of Doing Your Research
  • So, What is Homeshoring?
  • Who Hires Virtual Call Center Agents (and Why?)
  • The Sung (and Unsung) Benefits of Working at Home
  • The Pitfalls of Working for Virtual Call Centers
  • Preparing for the Virtual Application Process
  • Preparing Your Virtual Resume
  • Things to Keep in Mind When Applying for Virtual Call Center Jobs
  • The Virtual Call Center Checklist
  • Acing the Virtual Job Interview
• A 208-page Section Two - Company Profiles - Pages 25 to 233)
• A 9-page Resources Section

Would I recommend this ebook to everyone looking for a legitimate work at home job???
Nope! Being a call center agent isn't for everyone. It's not a "quick fix" or an answer to your money nightmares and it's not going to land your job FOR you. What I am saying is that IF you're fairly certain that you'd make one heck of a call center agent, you're serious about pursuing that, and you're in the process of looking at the various companies who actually hire call center agents, then this eBook is a great resource to help you reach that goal. If you're looking to learn everything you can about the homeshoring call-center industry, as well as jump-start your research on the companies that employ home-based agents, then this is a great resource for you.

Ten years ago, when I was searching for work I could do from home, there weren't many resources out there. I learned the word "telecommuting" and stumbled across an eBook written by Rosalind Mays called The Real Deal on Telecommuting.

It, too, was reasonably priced and it not only listed several valuable resources, it also talked about the telecommuting industry, the difference between being employed by someone as an independent contractor vs an employee, and offered up some ideas for going about your search for actual, legitimate telecommuting work online. That eBook was the only purchase in my search telecommuting information and work.

While it didn't directly give me a job, it changed my mindset and got me looking in the right direction. Prior to the reading the ebook, I wasn't familiar with a lot of the terminology and several of the resources that were available to me at the time (such as web forums and discussion lists). My goal then was to learn how to better research and explore my options online. That ebook helped me reach my goal and I found a great telecommuting opportunity that I wouldn't have otherwise found had I not educated myself with the help of Rosalind's eBook.

The same is true with this eBook I'm reviewing here. It's not going to GIVE you a job, but it will help you find your way around in the call center industry and save you hours of research looking at all of the companies and offerings that are out there to go after.

If you're interested in purchasing the eBook, or learning more, be sure to visit their site and then click on the eBook picture on the right.

They actually offer another eBook there as well, one for Virtual Assistant jobs. I have not looked at a copy of that eBook, but I'd suspect that it's also well-done if you're looking for more information about working as a virtual assistant. Perhaps I'll hop over and purchase a copy of that eBook for a review of that on Telecommuting Journal as well.

Full Disclosure:
I was so impressed with this eBook that I joined their affiliate program before writing this review. Which means, if you click on a link here from my site and actually purchase the eBook for yourself, I make a commission on that sale. I've purchased the information and am confident that should someone who's looking for call center work also purchase this book, it would be a valuable resource in that particular job hunt. I'd never make a recommendation a product or service that I didn't first use myself and actually believe in. Any commission I might make is compensation for the time and money I spent reviewing the product and writing the review.

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Strategies for Working From Home

By Lily Garcia
Special to washingtonpost.com
Thursday, December 4, 2008; 12:00 AM

What strategies would you recommend for making the most out of working from your home?

Many people believe that they lack the discipline to effectively telecommute. They fear that they would be too distracted, lured away from their job duties by household chores, too easily tempted by the television and the bed. Although the challenge of remaining focused without the positive influence of a bustling office environment is very real, I doubt that most telecommuters actually spend their work days watching "The Price Is Right," napping and doing laundry. The typical office environment is replete with distractions of its own, after all, including chatty coworkers, nosy bosses, and needless meetings. The distinct advantage of working from home is that the potential distractions and interruptions are usually within your control.

What, then, can you do, to capitalize upon the peace and quiet of your home while ensuring productivity? Here are a few important lessons that I have learned:

Rise and shine. Get ready for work in the morning as if you were about to leave your home. Take a shower, brush your teeth, and change out of your pajamas. I am not suggesting that you slip into an Armani suit, but do wear clothing that you would not be embarrassed to be seen in. This exercise will help you to set the stage for a successful day of work.

Minimize interruptions. That means telling your family and friends that you are working during certain times and that your availability is no greater than if you were in a cube somewhere. It also means scheduling medical and other appointments with due regard for your work schedule. If you would normally see the doctor first thing in the morning to avoid interference with your projects, then keep to this habit when you telecommute.

Schedule breaks and lunch times. Minimizing interruptions does not mean that you must work nonstop for eight hour stretches. However, you should try as much as possible to stick to a schedule of breaks and lunch periods rather than resting at haphazard intervals. Taking this disciplined approach will allow you the uninterrupted time that you need to get things done and allow you to take care of personal business without feeling guilty. Yes, it's okay to watch television and bake cookies, as long as you do so on your lunch hour.

Plan time out of the office. An important benefit of working alongside other people is the opportunity to network and socialize. Even a confirmed introvert can feel isolated after a stretch of days without face-to-face conversations (significant others, children, and cats excluded). An important rule of telecommuting successfully, therefore, is to schedule time out of the office. Meet people for lunch or coffee, or just take your laptop to a public place that offers free Wi-Fi. It will lift your spirits and help to keep your professional network alive.

Set a boundary between your work and personal lives. Just as some telecommuters worry about being less productive than their office counterparts, others must take precautions not to let their work swallow their home life whole. Unless you must work late, make sure that you are taking affirmative steps to "leave" your office at the end of the day. If possible, locate your home office in a separate room and close the door when you are done. If you do not have space for a separate home office, then power down or hide your computer at the end of the day. If you leave your computer on, mute the sound. You will otherwise be haunted by the sound of incoming emails and the temptation to check might become too great.

Assert your presence. Even though you are not located next to your coworkers, you are no less a part of the team. However, your boss and coworkers might at times forget to include in team activities and decisions. To ensure that you are taken into account, you must work twice as hard as your office counterparts to be seen and heard. Schedule a weekly check-in meeting with your boss, make sure that you are on all appropriate email distribution lists, reach out at least once a day to the people who work most closely with you, and drop by the office for visits as often as you can.

Join Lily Garcia on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 11 a.m. ET for How to Deal Live.

Lily Garcia has offered employment law and human resources advice to companies of all sizes for more than 10 years. To submit a question, e-mail HRadvice@washingtonpost.com. We reserve the right to edit submitted questions for length and clarity and cannot guarantee that all questions will be answered.

Virtual Staffers Avoid Bleak Car Market, Some Economy Woes Virtual Workers Have Office in a Box with HP   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRLog (Press Release) – Nov 29, 2008 – A new look at telecommuting workers has found that technology may shield these folks from the worst of the economic crisis. Examining the team of virtual assistants at Team Double-Click® yields some fascinating results: virtual assistants report more work, high job satisfaction, and, in some cases, fewer economic woes than their traditionally-employed counterparts. "Part of the reality of our economy is that businesses still need services but cannot always afford to hire full-time staff," reports Gayle Buske, president and CEO of Team Double-Click®. She thinks that as a result "Employers are more likely to take on virtual workers, who require less supervision, less office space and a more modest budget." That means that virtual assistants at Team Double-Click® can expect steady work even when other industries are worried about lay-offs. Another economic advantage for telecommuting workers is less reliance on a lengthy and expensive commute. "Virtual assistants can work at home. Their computer is essentially their office, connecting them to money-making opportunities the world over and even allowing them to capitalize on requests from clients in more prosperous corners of the globe," says Buske. In most jobs, it takes money to get to work. Many workers need a car and a career wardrobe for the office, money for lunch out and other work-related expenses. This is simply not the case for virtual contractors at Team Double-Click®, where the computer replaces the office. And now, thanks to a strategic alliance with HP, Team Double-Click® virtual assistants will be able to enjoy a better office, even when the economy is tough. The new partnership with the computer giant will allow Team Double-Click® virtual assistants and clients alike to enjoy discounts on all HP products. HP will offer free ground shipping as well as instant price reductions as part of the partnership. "We're very excited about the new partnership with HP," says Buske. "It's a great way to ensure that our team and our clients have the technology needed to meet work requirements in today's economy." About Team Double-Click®: Established in 2000, Team Double-Click® has grown into the country's largest virtual staffing firm. Team Double-Click® offers virtual assistant services that range from general administrative, sales and marketing, human resources, finance, to real estate transaction coordination. The company takes care of the screening, managing, and payment of virtual assistants. Team Double-Click® even carefully monitors the relationship between a client and virtual assistants to ensure maximum value for businesses. Team Double-Click® combines unparalleled staffing expertise with a dedication to improve clients' and virtual assistants' businesses and profits. Team Double-Click® is currently the only virtual staffing firm to offer a 30 day money-back guarantee.   For more information on how a virtual assistant can help you save time and money in your business, visit www.teamdoubleclick.com or call 888.827.9129. About HP: HP is one of the most recognized technology brand names in the world. The company founded in 1939, currently operates in more than 170 countries. Producing everything from handheld devices and printers to supercomputer installations and laptops, HP is recognized both by the business consumer and the home computer buyer. Among the company's more recognized offerings are: mobile computing devices, workstations, PCs, inkjet printers, LaserJet printers, commercial printing installations, printing supplies, digital photography technology, entertainment systems, servers, managed services, and software. Through a company called EDS, HP delivers business technology services to governments and private sector companies.