There may not be a single CEO in the FTSE 100 with an IT background, but CIOs are still as ambitious as ever. A study carried out by IT director forum CIO Connect and headhunting firm Spencer Stuart concludes that CIOs will start to move into key corporate positions “over the next five years” and are more likely to take on CEO roles.
That conclusion might sound familiar – there have been similar pronouncements in the past – but John Handby, CIO Connect’s chief executive, is confident the prediction will come true this time. That is because companies are focusing more on integrating operations, a trend that will make the CIO’s role more influential. “Integration is not a nice to have or an action on a to-do list, it is crucial and takes a fundamental rethink about behaviour, style and focus,” says Handby. The report lists eight steps that CIOs should follow to achieve business leadership: –
1. Elevate the argument for technology
2. Steer and manage business, as opposed to IT, projects
3. Overcome senior managers’ scepticism of technology
4. Adopt the right communication style
5. Live up to the hierarchy of management expectations
6. Run the shop reliably
7. Understand the power map of the organisation
8. Lead business process and product innovation.
