Strategies and Trends for Information Technology Leaders
As 2011 gets into high-gear, we are seeing the predicted IT spending increases come to pass; with companies often shifting their focus from cost-cutting initiatives to growth and innovation projects. Accompanying this spending increase is a shift in the role of the CIO towards an architect for business innovation. This increased, highly visible responsibility creates…
“Today, the IT infrastructure is the backbone and accelerator of a company’s business transformation,” explained Jean Cholka, CEO of the global IT services provider Freeborders. “Thereby, having the right leader in the IT organization in place is critical to a company’s success.” This transition in IT’s role was fueled by a number of converging storm…
by Derek Lonsdale, Nilesh Chandra and Chris Gallacher of PA Consulting – The IT function exists to support the business in achieving competitive advantage. However, many business users often see IT merely as a barrier to their initiatives; a function that over-spends and under-delivers. In order to foster a better relationship with the business, IT…
Strategy is creative. Financial planning is operational.Strategic and financial planning require different skills, timelines, and different measures of success. You must separate the two streams of work if you want a real strategy. IT organizations are fairly expert and annual plans and budgets, but not so much at creative, strategic planning. So the money wins…
LAS VEGAS: How do you transform IT, when your business is already IT? That’s the task that faces the CIO of Cisco. Rebecca Jacoby has been at Cisco for the last 16 years and has been the CIO for just over four years. During an in-depth discussion at the Interop trade show in Las Vegas…
The cloud has changed the role of IT, of that there is no doubt. But fears that the CIO will become extinct because of it are overblown. Instead, the role will likely be redefined. “The traditional CIO must shift his or her focus from cost efficient delivery of infrastructure to strategic utilization of infrastructure,” explained…
The nonprofit sector is in a bit of a technology evolution/revolution. As the industry looks to reduce costs, increase efficiency and engage with constituents that are living lifestyles that embrace mobile, digital and social technologies as never before. It is here that the benefits and options that cloud computing brings to the table are clear….
Over the years, I have written a lot on the topic of credibility (see sidebar). Over and above delivering great results, building your credibility is necessary to enhance both your effectiveness and survivability as a CIO. It helps you avoid stupid questions, re-work, and endlessly defending your honor (and your budget). After credibility, relevance is…