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 .