As CIOs have changed gears in the last few years from managing enterprise technology to driving business growth within their companies, the shift has also trickled down to what is demanded of the IT professionals within their organizations. Technology workers whose strengths lie in core areas of information and technology have become the most sought-after group and hold the most-difficult-to-fill positions. These difficulties are exacerbated by changing demands from the IT workers themselves, whose desires for work-life balance and growth opportunities within their jobs are more pronounced than before.

In the absence of these qualities in a job, they're more willing than ever to leave, evidenced by <A HREF="http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,2160626,00.asp?kc=EWKNLEND072007STR5">an ever-increasing rate of IT employee-initiated turnover,</A> according to Gartner's 2007 IT Market Compensation Study released July 17.