Organisations introduce new ERP solutions for various reasons but irrespective of the motive, project success or failure is largely attributable to the quality of Project Management. Project Sponsors may participate in the selection process and will promote the solution to the organisation whilst the deployment team plays it’s role, but without strong effective project management the project may overrun, exceed budget or fail to deliver the expected benefits.

Regulatory frameworks on capital adequacy for insurance firms were first introduced in the early 1970's and since then more complex and sophisticated risk management systems have been gradually introduced, the latest of which being the European Commission's upcoming regulatory directive Solvency II.

The establishment of Shared Service Centre's (SSC's) by large multinational organisations is a major trend in business restructuring and has grown steadily in the private sector since the early 1980's where it has become standard practice. It is now becoming increasingly adopted in the Public Sector as the cost benefits achieved by private sector organisations have been recognised and the model adapted to meet their needs.

As the end of 2008 approaches and we wish farewell and good riddance to the year, an undercurrent will remain throughout the festivities to remind us that the last twelve months will not, in fact, be easily forgotten. And how could they be? The virtual meltdown of the world's economy that began in earnest in late summer and before long had claimed the scalps of some of the world's oldest, most established names including Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch, Woolworths and MFI will prove hard to come to terms with and get over.

Two months after the collapses, sell-offs and government bail-outs, the strident calls to impose tough new regulations on the financial markets have softened in tone, coinciding as it happens with petrol prices dipping back below a pound and Bank of England rates being reined back to 3%. Stock markets, too, have settled, albeit only relative to the seismic shifts and faults of the last few months, and despite the daily roller-coaster rides most bourses around the world continue to experience.

With two Meltdown Mondays already, and UK and US government bailouts totalling well over $1 trillion by the first week of October, there is at first glance real difficulty finding any cause for optimism amid the chaos. However, with a sanguine view unimpeded by the image of bankrupt banks and brokers being taken over or bailed out, there remains a parallel universe in which people, businesses and public bodies continue to invest in IT and related products and services. In short, life goes on.

Coincidence or not, the Business Intelligence (BI) software is on the verge of breaking into the mass market just as the West's economy is forcing businesses to focus sharply on how best to make use of their existing informational assets - precisely the type of work that marks out BI as generating a significant return on investment.

In light of the economic slowdown and continued gloomy forecasts brought on by last year's credit crunch, it would be reasonable to predict that investments in IT would take a hit in line with that overall trend. But the evidence as of mid-August suggests there won't be any seismic shifts in technology spending plans.

Whatever may be happening on the world stage regarding oil prices, food shortages and the effects of global warming, the Gulf region remains a highly appealing destination for executives with the right skills and attitude necessary to work in some of the fastest expanding economies on the planet.

The UK recruitment industry comprises a large number of firms operating across every conceivable market sector and they come in all shapes and sizes. They range from Executive Search firms such as Egon Zehnder, Spencer Stuart and Korn Ferry specialising in Board Appointments; organisations such as Reed, Hays and Adecco covering multiple sectors; and small to medium size firms including one-man operations specialising in niche vertical markets. Working practices vary enormously but certain sectors have acquired a reputation for employing...