The CIO's Changing Role: Are You Prepared?
With IT's growing value in the strategic management of a business, the CIO's responsibility extends beyond day-to-day functions. In fact, as part of an executive team driving business change, it is crucial that he or she, as well as other senior managers, possess strong business acumen. This skill will ultimately enable them and their teams to align IT with overall corporate goals.
Many people will ask, "Is this really important?" Well, consider this: In today's competitive business environment, the difference between an average and a high-performance organization may be a CIO who contributes not only a perspective on technology, but also a business-orientedperspective on technology. So, where do you fit in? Are you prepared to lead an IT strategy that drives business change and profits. Are you prepared to answer these questions:
- How does IT help achieve corporate financial goals?
- Who are the customers that IT serves and how do they help achieve the organization's customer service goals?
- How does the organization measure finance, customer and shareholder/stakeholder value?
- How does IT affect the organization's future business?
- How are IT resources best applied to eliminate threats and weaknesses, capitalizing on the organization's strengths and opportunities?
- How has the role of CIO changed?
- How does IT contribute to the ongoing achievement of results?
If not, you're not alone. IT executives are typically not trained in both technology and business. And, they aren't prepared to wear both strategic and operational hats. That's where Pink Elephant comes in.
Pink Elephant's IT Executive Management Certification program is the tool you need to broaden your business insight and sharpen your leadership and managerial skills. Developed by the organization's CEO, Fatima Cabral, Level One teaches the links between IT and corporate strategy. It also focuses on the IT/business alignment models contained in the Information Technology Infrastructure Library's (ITIL's) Business Perspective set of books.
Level Two builds on this foundation, focusing on key topics such as leadership, policy and strategy, people management and results, supplier relationships, business processes and customer results. All-in-all, you'll understand what strategic management is all about, while gaining practical tools to increase the overall effectiveness of your IT department.
Source: PinkLink, May 1, 2002