Exploring The New Demands
of the CIO
By Stephen Mann
IT has never really been about the " IT ". It has always been about the business use cases in which IT is employed, and the better business outcomes it helps to deliver. In 2017, this need for better business outcomes( from IT) is more important than ever, and in every part of business operations.
So, what does this include? Well, quite simply, everything that’ s done in researching, creating, delivering, marketing, selling, supporting, and improving a portfolio of business products and / or services.
The CIO ' s Dilemma in 2017
Right now, and for the foreseeable future, the average CIO is under serious pressure not only to:
• Keep the business running – enabling the working parts of the“ enterprise machine” with fit-for-purpose technology.
• Deliver new products and / or services – that are built around new technologies and / or innovative technology use cases.
• Reduce the costs of both technology and business operations – through better financial
4 itSMF Bulletin— August 2017
stewardship, and the use of new technology and associated operational improvement.
• Use technology to drive competitive advantage – delivered through some or all of the above...
The CIO is also under pressure to help the corporate sales team to win, retain, and grow business( after all, what is a business without adequate sales( other than a startup). Or, more specifically, to win over customers, and to engender loyalty, wherever they might be in the sales / customer management cycles.