“Technology has made collaborative work a reality, and the benefits can extend well beyond a company’s own boundaries. Relationships with business partnersósuppliers, distributors, and outsourcing partnersóare becoming more strategic, and savvy companies are quickly learning that managing these relationships well can be the key to substantial value creation and cost savings. But that’s not always simple. Indeed, strategic alliances must be built to last, and that takes work.”

“Burned by pricey projects with scant returns in the ’90s, chief execs are now savvier and watch CIOs and IT spending far closer.”

“…people can no longer (if they ever could) separate out their work and their ‘life.’ Work is such a central part of who we are ó and consumes so much of our energy, spirit, time ó that it IS our life. But so are entertainment and family and sleep and anything else we can factor in. Simply put, it’s all just our life, and things ebb and flow with importance through the course of the day…”

“Taking a break may be just the thing to spark your spirits. But keep in mind these seven points to ensure that your mini-retirement doesn’t produce maxi-regret.”