An IT manager needs to assess internal resources such as available equipment and the IT department's skill set and decide whether it is more cost effective to have the skills in-house or outsourced to a specialist. Give employees a sense of security Employees used to boundless economic enthusiasm, stock wealth, and fat technology budgets will be unprepared for tight times. Typically, however, IT departments don't experience the layoffs that other divisions suffer. According to Perl, it's hard to maintain current employees, and most companies won't lay off IT pros. This means retention of IT employees actually can be easier in lean times, as employees tend to be more risk-averse and stay with a known company.
Employees are happy to have a good job at a good organization.
But IT managers cannot rest on their laurels. Increased pressure on an IT department may also have the beneficial effect of focusing the team. This focus can actually improve morale. Everyone working to solve the same problem can create a sense of responsibility among employees, says Van der Meer. Employees who feel management isn't telling them the whole story might be apt to jump ship in anticipation of a layoff.