Personal Biography: Richard P. Skinner

Richard Skinner is the author of the books entitled IT is about the Strategy and IT Tactics. Focusing on small and medium sized businesses, Richard had filled a void in information technology strategic planning through the content of his books and by offering directional seminars and consulting. He has founded the company Strategic IT Associates to offer these services. Richard contends the over- emphasis on technology at the expense of IT strategy is at the root of many IT problems. Richard has been in Information Technology since its inception. For more than forty years he has worked in, and observed, this ever-changing industry. His experience and accumulated knowledge have afforded him the insight to predict what will and will not be successful in applying technology to business problems. Over the years, Richard has been part of IT departments that have been gloriously successful—and others that failed miserably. In each instance, the primary difference was strategy. Richard has held nearly every position in IT up to and including CIO. He has worked for companies from start- up through several billion dollars in revenue. The importance of strategic planning has always been his focus.