Tag Archives: Strategy

How the Data-driven CIO Enables Digital Transformation

DataDriven-1

Some people prefer the destination, but I prefer the journey.  Not really the journey, but the anxiety of the journey. Whether during a detour at Starbucks on the long drive to Disneyworld, reading a chapter in the biography of Walt Disney, or my eighth back-to-back viewing of Monster’s Inc., I’m wondering about the next stop, chapter or sequel and ignoring what’s right in front of me. Maybe that’s why I’m constantly tripping. The anxiety of what I’m missing or what’s next is always pushing me ahead of the now.

Source: How the Data-driven CIO Enables Digital Transformation

Facing (and Embracing) Strategic Risks – Deloitte CFO – WSJ

Great insights in this article about strategic risks.  The article is written for the CFO but the concepts apply to any business leader.  CIOs need to take note and understand how they can contribute to facing and embracing strategic risks.

Source: Facing (and Embracing) Strategic Risks – Deloitte CFO – WSJ

Implementing World Class IT Strategy – Book Review

Implementing World Class IT Strategy Book Cover Implementing World Class IT Strategy
1st Edition
Peter A. High
Management & Leadership
Wiley Press/Jossey-Bass
August 21, 2014
Hardcover
229

The book, Implementing World Class IT Strategy: How IT Can Drive Organizational Innovation by Peter High is a great follow up to Peter's first book World Class IT: Why Businesses Succeed When IT Triumphs.  This is a must read for every business leader.

The book shares relevant examples of real-world CIOs overcoming the traditional challenges companies face when developing strategies.  As a CIO I find having an IT mission statement crucial for focusing my teams.  Chapter 3 goes into great detail on the value of an IT mission statement and provides some great, real-world examples.  My favorite is on page 56.

This is a book I've given to my leadership team and I highly recommend reading it. You'll probably want to keep a copy close by for frequent reference.

World Class IT – Book Review

World Class IT: Why Businesses Succeed When IT Triumphs Book Cover World Class IT: Why Businesses Succeed When IT Triumphs
1st Edition
Peter A. High
Management & Leadership
Wiley Press/Jossey-Bass
December 9, 2009
Hardcover
192

The book, World Class IT: Why Business Succeeds When IT Triumphs by Peter High is a book I read very early in my career as a CIO.  The book lays out five principles of "World Class IT" that provide a great foundation for any IT leader.

  1. People - Recruit, Train and Retain World Class IT Employees
  2. Infrastructure - Build and Maintain a Robust IT Infrastructure
  3. Project & Portfolio Management - Field an Effective Project Development & Portfolio Management Process
  4. IT & Business Partnerships - Ensure that IT Partners within the Department and with the Business
  5. External Partnerships - Develop a Collaborative Relationship with External Partners

The concepts in the book are as relevant today as when the book was first published.  I find myself often referring back to the book for guidance on our continuous IT transformation journey.  I highly recommend adding this book to your library.