FEATURE: STATE OF THE CIO
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There is no doubt that the
role of the CIO has changed
in recent times. Traditional
perceptions of the role no
longer hold true thanks to
Digital Transformation which
has placed IT at the centre of
businesses. Claude Schuck,
Regional Manager, Middle
East and Central Africa at
Veeam, argues CIOs must
effectively communicate
the business benefits of IT
projects to other members
of the c-suite.
It’s clear that IT is now a vital enabler for
modern businesses to:
• Deliver innovation and gain a critical
advantage in hyper-competitive markets
• Improve the customer experience which,
in many industries, is the only remaining
competitive differentiator
• Increase business agility to respond
quickly to new business opportunities
and threats
• Generate revenue and power the efficient
business processes that translate that
revenue into profit
• Maximise availability and deliver at least
99% uptime to meet enterprise needs
and service-level agreements
Now that IT is seen as a strategic enabler and
a revenue generator – not just an operational
cost – there’s never been a better time for
CIOs to take their place as an essential, and
influential, member in the c-suite.
No change is possible without the CIO
If IT is so important to modern businesses,
surely CIOs should be at the heart of
business strategy – so why aren’t they?
T
raditionally, there’s been a
perception of CIOs simply as
executors of an IT agenda
devised by the board. IT has been
seen as a mere support function, not as a
strategic driver.
But these days, ‘traditional’ doesn’t cut it
anymore. The digital revolution – driven
by disruptive technologies, innovative
new business models, newly empowered
customers, and the growing influence of
shadow IT in the enterprise – has placed
technology firmly at the heart of the business.
Often, CIOs struggle to build effective
working relationships with other CXOs, which
makes it difficult to align IT with business
strategy. When strong relationships are
formed, CIOs will know what leaders from
across the business are planning next – and
they’ll be in a position to have a hand in
steering that planning process.
It’s also important for CIOs to be able to
communicate the benefits of technology
investments, instead of getting bogged down
in technical specifics rather than business
value. After all, line-of-business leaders don’t
care how the infrastructure fits together –
Central to the
core business
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