TOP STORY

Ride it out or ramp it up? Turnaround strategies for tough economic times  Watching from the wings is no way to survive, says McKinsey. So from acquisitions to bolstering your brand, a look at some smart moves and smarter decisions you can make now to boost sales, win customers, and position yourself for the return of good times.  —December 3, 2008

ON INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY:

Recession survival strategies for the savvy CIO

It's all in the framing, says benchmarking pro Howard Rubin. With jobs at risk, you can protect your team by moving from "maintenance and infrastructure" to "change" and "growth." Luckily, it's the language performance management pros use every day.  —December 3, 2008

Three letters, seven principles: SOA defined and explained

It seems there are as many definitions of SOA as there are applications built with it. We look at its core principles, how it stacks up to the client-server model, and why it's the right approach for performance management.  —December 3, 2008

IBM Cognos 8 v4 helps managers balance tactics with strategy

It's no small task to succeed in both roles when one bad decision can hurt performance in both. But with new interactive dashboards and dimension management features, managers can excel in both with ease.  —December 3, 2008

Performance management in a weak economy

Statistic or success story? Where you'll end up will depend on how well you transform data into insights that help cut costs, drive growth, and resist the temptation to go into "bunker mode." —October 29, 2008

ON FINANCE:

Troubled times a test of CFO skills

A test of nerves even when times are good, CFOs now face a crisis without precedent in their lifetimes. While some opt for cuts across the board, McKinsey suggests investing in risk analysis, better decisions, and performance management. Here's why.  —December 3, 2008

Seven risk dashboards no bank should be without

On the list of reasons why so many banks failed, poor credit decisions should be right at the top. Banks that survived now have a choice: demise down the road or a better handle on risk with the dashboards we present here?  —December 3, 2008

Insight, anyone? IBM Cognos 8 v4 gives analysts faster answers

The math on this is simple: the sooner you know, the more quickly you can act. Luckily, with new features in IBM Cognos 8 v4, financial and business analysts can analyze performance and evaluate trends even as they unfold.  —December 3, 2008

Finance and IT: Odd couple or perfect pair?

If ERP implementations are a May-December romance, performance management is an arranged marriage. The good news? Both sides are better-prepared to work together than they might think.  —October 29 , 2008

ON BUSINESS

Still rock-solid? How insurance companies are coping with crisis

Once the embodiment of blue-chip stocks, insurers are reeling along with the banks. Yet, say experts, all hope is not lost. We find a silver lining in the emerging link between policy persistence and performance management.  —December 3, 2008

No bigger than a napkin: Best practices for Balanced Scorecards

Keep it simple and start with the strategy you have, says consultant Brett Knowles. Here, he explains the difference between scorecards and dashboards, how to drive ownership, and how to keep strategy top-of-mind.   —December 3, 2008

Reducing the risks in your global supply chain

Cost savings is just one benefit of going global. But the bigger the chain, the greater the risk. A look at what can go wrong and how business intelligence can keep you from becoming the weakest link.   —October 29, 2008