I have been following this thread with great interest and have found the
commentary to be most insightful.  I am in the midst of reading a book
by Thomas Friedman, 3 time Pulitzer prize winning New York Times author
- The World is Flat - in which he discusses some of these topics and
provides additional insights based on his research and access to
information.  If you want an eye opening view and historical insight
into today's world (which not only includes outsourcing and offshoring,
but also many other changes in how we work and connect), I highly
recommend that you add this to your reading list.

One perspective I gained from the book that helps me understand better
our current issues related to management of email.

First web site went up in 1991 (15 years ago)
A mere 14 years ago, the only people who had internet access were a
select few in government, military, and academia.
It was only in 1996 - 10 years ago - when Netscape went public, that
email began to be widely available.  And no one had any idea of how it
would expand, explode and otherwise change the way business was
conducted so there wasn't any time to plan for such things as "records
management".   And many of the people using this wonderful new tool had
no concept of things like file plans, records, retention schedules, or
any of the other disciplines which had heretofore been back room, end of
life cycle matters handled by secretaries (now there's an obsolete
term), file clerks, records personnel, etc.  Many of those same people
still don't and that is a great opportunity for us.....we can share our
expertise and provide leadership in this new world.

Have a great weekend!!
Mary Hilliard, CRM

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