When the history books recount the financial crisis and events of the past 24 months, the story will likely read a bit like a classic thriller. After all, it seems to have all of the four main elements of one. It has a villain in the horrific recession that started with the sub-prime debt market collapse that then rippled through the US housing market and, ultimately, all parts of the world. It has a scary part in the economic “winter” that we all have lived through—one complete with bankruptcies, lost jobs and homes, broken careers, and enough uncertainty to last us all for some time.  This story also has a hero (millions of them, actually) in the businessmen and women who were able to find the silver lining and capitalize on the opportunities that can and do present themselves during periods of economic upheaval and government intervention (or meddling, depending on your view of the political world).

Finally, while the story is by no means over, the prospects for a happy ending are looking brighter and brighter almost every day. I, of course, don’t want to discount the significant losses incurred over the past two years; irreparable losses for some. But the fact is, many businesses are now realizing new growth, and the transformation taking place (or that will take place) in several sectors is starting to reveal opportunities for enterprises well beyond those industries. Consider these examples:

• The banking industry is entering a new era, and not just in regulatory terms. The middle segment of this industry will continue to see significant consolidation, and healthy and well-focused banks will have substantial opportunities to capitalize on the changes to strengthen their competitive positioning.
• Whether you like the details of America’s new healthcare system or not, it is here and beginning to take shape. The changes to come will affect every company that touches our healthcare ecosystem—which is to say, just about everyone.
• Recovery in the financial markets, new capital, and a new set of rules for the private equity and alternative investment industry will produce new opportunities across the board.
• Finally, out of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) has come a suite of new smart grid initiatives aimed at creating a greener, more efficient, and more consumer-controlled world. This is just the first push in a broad transformation of the electric utility industry.

These challenges and changes have certainly been keeping us busy, and many of our clients as well. In this newsletter, we feature several articles about concepts that are playing key roles in organizational transformation efforts:

• 7 Reasons Why SharePoint is a Great PMIS
• Using Systems Monitoring to Improve IT Operations
• Healthcare Marketing's Equilibrium and Digital Touch Points

We’re approaching the heart of the summer. I hope that you are able to enjoy some quality time with your family and friends over the next couple of months and that you will have the chance to re-energize yourself for what inevitably will be a very interesting road ahead.