This article discusses the importance of the business relationship of the CIO and CEO. One CEO quotes, “My CIO is probably my most essential manager. Without him, I do not know where our company would be.” The CIO/CEO relationship is similar to partners in an enormously uncomfortable marriage. Substantial growth has occurred in integrating IT technology into the most important aspects of the business over the past few years. IT has fueled the past economic growth, especially with the internet shaping the way many businesses are run today. CEOs and CFOs now look to IT for guidance in recreating business strategies with the use of advanced computer technology and the vast amount of information now available with web services.
CIOs need to position themselves as the CEO’s front runner on bringing technological initiatives into the company’s strategic decisions. You do not want your CIO to view themselves as corporate victims, shut outs of the executive suite. CIO longevity seems to be averaging around two years as they are failing to establish the good working relationships needed with CEOs.
There are three critical areas for helping make this marriage work; communication, organization and process. The CIO needs to use their position for smooth decision making matters, communication must be good to allow the technology agenda to be addressed, and assure the CIO has the management control over technology projects. As with all marriages, both parties need to be willing to work on all of these items.
CIOs need to position themselves as the CEO’s front runner on bringing technological initiatives into the company’s strategic decisions. You do not want your CIO to view themselves as corporate victims, shut outs of the executive suite. CIO longevity seems to be averaging around two years as they are failing to establish the good working relationships needed with CEOs.
There are three critical areas for helping make this marriage work; communication, organization and process. The CIO needs to use their position for smooth decision making matters, communication must be good to allow the technology agenda to be addressed, and assure the CIO has the management control over technology projects. As with all marriages, both parties need to be willing to work on all of these items.