FEATURE : INNOVATION
At one time , sole custodian of technology rollout in the enterprise , the role of CIO today has transformed into custodian of innovation supporting business and delivering to the enterprise . Top executives from Barracuda
Networks , Dell Technologies , Epicor , Fortinet , ManageEngine , Omnix
International , Qualys , SolarWinds , Veritas Technologies comment .
Being able to align technology with business goals is where it all begins . This allows you to build a strategic roadmap for technology , and harness innovative technology to streamline operations for the enterprise . Management best practice must consider a people-first philosophy . Success hinges on your relationships with colleagues throughout the business , from executives to frontline contributors .
“ Collaborative leadership helps to guide employees through technical change , as well as influence , sometimes with and sometimes without direct authority . You should also develop the skills of your team , as a leader you need to take staff development very seriously ,” explains Siroui Mushegian , CIO Barracuda Networks .
Mastering these best practices will enable CIOs to drive value and effectively lead their organisations in the dynamic and ever-evolving technology landscape while maintaining a solid foundation that is vital to long-term success .
Perhaps the most important management best practice CIOs need to employ is how to effectively lead people . The talent on their teams , their colleagues leading other business functions , their own managers , and vendors . “ Most enterprise solutions require a complex mix of information technologies and cross-functional internal and external talent to generate requirements , design a solution , and to implement and operate ,” indicates Rich Murr , CIO Epicor .
“ The role of the CIO is progressively expanding to align with the organisation ’ s evolving needs , encompassing a wider range of responsibilities than ever before ,” says Ishpreet Singh , CIO Qualys .
Notably , every company necessitates a leader who not only facilitates the development and scalability of the right business capabilities but also assumes the critical role of ensuring security . This role can be best understood as overseeing operations , transformation , and security .
While many perceive transformations as primarily revolving around technological changes , it is essential to recognise that the technological aspect is often the least challenging element of this journey .
The true essence lies in the CIO ’ s ability to guide the business in embracing change and in swiftly adopting innovative approaches , all while placing a paramount focus on the security of customer , employee , and shareholder interests .
An effective CIO needs to demonstrate both long- and short-term vision by setting a north star vision and then drawing up the tactical execution plans which continuously moves the organisation toward that objective . It is tangible business outcomes that should underpin this north star vision . So rather than being IT-led , the strategy should be one that is enabled , and accelerated by technology .
“ When it comes to the tactical side of things , CIOs should never underestimate the importance of constant , clear , and transparent communications with both IT and business stakeholders . This will secure buy-in and yield the synergies needed to drive success ,” explains Chris Day , CIO SolarWinds .
Adapting to new technologies while creating an agile IT infrastructure has become a strategic priority for
The CIO-business scorecard
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