Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 21 | Page 88

FINAL WORD Why does new technology fill CIOs with anxiety? Does the emergence of new technology worry CIOs? James Parker, Chief Revenue Officer, Tata Communications, certainly thinks so. While it’s tempting to carry on as normal, he argues that CIOs should grasp the nettle of new technology and move with the times. W henever a new technology emerges that challenges the way people and businesses have been doing things for years or even decades, the initial excitement is soon over-shadowed by uncertainty, anxiety and reluctance to try something new. The CIO and the rest of the senior management, the IT department and the business teams who would be impacted by the new technology are all likely to wonder why change is needed, if the current solution is working just fine. We are all creatures of habit after all. It’s understandable that the CIO and his peers, who are ultimately accountable if the new solution doesn’t live up to its promise, would be apprehensive about embracing a new, untried and untested technology. But, over time, following much consideration, assessment and consultation with experts, this uncertainty and apprehension 88 INTELLIGENTCIO www.intelligentcio.com