Although this sounds simple on the surface, ensuring alignment with the priorities of the company leadership and shareholders is critical to the success of the CIO and the IT organization. This category is a great opportunity for CIOs to demonstrate their value as an innovation leader instead of a dinosaur headed for extinction.
Drive Operational Efficiencies. Early in my career, a CFO clearly defined the importance of driving unnecessary cost out as ‘every dollar saved is a dollar of profit’. Because IT is often thought of as a cost center, it is imperative that CIOs focus on operational efficiencies. This includes analysis and possible adjustments to all expenditures, including people, processes and technology (hardware, software, service agreements).