Perspectives & Strategy

The role of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) has changed forever.

Today’s CIO’s role is more than simply managing IT staff and ensure that systems and networks are up and running. They need to serve as integral members of the senior management team within the corporation. They need to take part in strategic development, organizational planning, and enable financial planning and decision-making. They have largely become the Chief Change Officer by leading their organization’s strategic business change initiatives.

Maximizing your current technology resources and aggressively plan for the future with the business in mind. In addition to this is the dimension of Business Intelligence that will allow a corporation to make informed business decisions. The role of  the CIO should increasingly be one of leveraging the technical services in order to truly empower the business. Business today is increasingly needing to optimise their IT investments.

It is after the challenges of 2008 that many USA business is coming to a realisation that IT implementations have to be done on a tighter budget and mega-projects must come under scrutiny. Ironically IT developments in Canada, UK, and Europe have already been performed on a shoestring budget. A new learning is necessary. The important message here is that it is still possible to deploy solutions, but cost effectiveness is key.

Further Reading

Information Technology Must be Integrated into the Core of Business! by Peter Giblett

Leadership for Extraordinary Performance by Joseph J. DiStefano