The Big Shift in IT Leadership: How Great CIOs Leverage the Power of Technology for Strategic Business Growth in the Customer–Centric Economy

DISCOVER THE ESSENTIAL LEADERSHIP STRATEGIES THAT DRIVE TODAY′S MOST EFFECTIVE CIOs

"A new and higher level of IT leadership is required. The modern enterprise expects IT to deliver real business value and contribute significantly to revenue growth in ultra–competitive markets. Failure is simply not an option."
From Chapter One

The expectations for today′s CIOs are higher than ever. In order to be successful, CIOs must not only deliver flawless levels of operational service, they must provide astute guidance and advice that supports enterprise strategy and drives real business growth. How can CIOs acquire the leadership skills needed to navigate through this era of turbulence, volatility, and uncertainty?

The Big Shift in IT Leadership offers CIOs an essential guide for understanding and developing the skills needed to establish trust and cooperation across the enterprise, recruit and retain top talent in your field, leverage new technology for continuous business growth, and inspire loyalty and optimal performance from everyone on the team.

Offering step–by–step guidance and filled with illustrative examples from forward–thinking CIOs, this vital handbook clearly explains how to put into play the leadership techniques needed to deliver great value and service throughout an enterprise. The Big Shift in IT Leadership is the handbook CIOs need if they are to provide the leadership required to stay ahead of the competition in complex, rapidly changing markets.

Foreword

Acknowledgement

Preface

Chapter 1 THE NEW NORMAL
Executive Summary

The Best CIOs Know that Results Trump Technology

Leadership Excellence Is a Critical Competitive Advantage

Innovation and Transformation in a Customer–Centric Global Economy

The Big Shift Is a Total Game Changer

7 Action Steps for CIOs Who Are Ready for the Big Shift in IT Leadership Strategy

Impact of Technology in Rapidly Changing Markets Plays Directly to Primary Strengths of the CIO

Learning to Embrace and Accept the Realities of Customer–Centric IT

CIOs Experience a Transformation of Focus, From Creating Internal Productivity to Driving External Value

Strong Links Between Collaboration, Innovation and Competitive Success

Dealing with the Realities of the Experience Economy and the Elevated Demands of Empowered Consumers

Shifting Consumer Economy Raises the Bar for CIOs

Case Closed: IT Still Matters

Chapter 2 The CIO and the C–SUITE
Executive Summary

Speaking the Language of Business Is Absolutely Essential for High–Performing CIOs and Exceptional IT Leaders

Leveraging the Power of Great Habits to Drive Relationships Across the C–Suite

Maintaining Relevancy and Setting the Agenda

Team Leaders, Not Lone Heroes

Triple Package of Critical Traits

In Changing Times, Innovative Leadership Is a Critical Asset

Are You Proactive or Reactive?

Building Trust, Across the C–Suite and Within IT

Waging the War for Talent and Preparing for the Future of IT in the Modern Enterprise

Find the Best People You ll Need Them as IT Expands Its Role in the Modern Enterprise

Achieving the Right Mix of Talent and Technical Abilities

Why I m Genuinely Optimistic about the Future of IT

Notes

Chapter 3 INNOVATION
Executive Summary

Great CIOs Leverage Innovation to Create New Products and Drive Real Growth for the Business

CIOs Are Essential for Enabling Innovation

The Evolving CIO: From Tactical Support to Strategic Leadership

Creating Tangible Value for the Modern Enterprise

Bringing the Consumer Service Experience into the Modern Global Enterprise

Managing and Leveraging the Interplay between Consumer and Business Technologies

The New Traits of CIO Leadership: Moving Beyond the Boundaries of Traditional IT

Great CIOs Understand the Needs of the Business and Deliver Great IT to Drive Success Across the Enterprise

Chapter 4 EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP
Executive Summary

Great CIOs Leverage Trust and Deep Knowledge to Provide Real Business Value in Rapidly Changing Times

Great CIOs and Successful IT Vendors Work Together on Long–Term Strategy

Keeping IT Relevant to the Business in Modern Dynamic Markets

Best Practices for Building Bridges across the C–Suite

Will CIOs Experience Similar Career Trajectories as CFOs?

When Building Tighter Relationships with the C–Suite, Location Matters

Today s Enterprise Needs Hands–On CIOs to Deliver Real Business Value from Technology Investments

Achieving Real Business Value through the Transformation of IT Vendor Relationships from Transactional to Strategic

In EMEA, Demand Rises for Two Types of CIOs

Future Forecast: All Trends Point to a Period of Growth for Transformational CIOs and Visionary IT Leaders

Notes

Chapter 5 HOW MUCH, HOW FAST?
Executive Summary

Creating a Smart Process for Engaging Successfully with SaaS Providers

Great CIOs Know When They Have Hit the Limits of IT Outsourcing

Building Trust in the Enterprise Requires Focus, Energy, and Great Leadership

Using the CenterPoint for Maintaining Alignment, Adapting to Change, and Sustaining Execution

Building Deep Foundations of Trust with Simple Contracts

Embrace the Challenge, Accept the Risk: True Leadership Requires a Blend of Vision, Courage, and Endurance

Notes

Chapter 6 SECURITY, BIG DATA, and the INTERNET OF THINGS
Executive Summary

You Can t Build a Wall High Enough to Keep Out the Bad Guys

Successful Data Strategies Often Require Top–Down Leadership and C–Suite Support

Leveraging Data across the Enterprise

The New Water Cooler for Better Decisions

As Markets Evolve, IT Focus Shifts to Business Results

Hadoop and the Enterprise Data Warehouse

Great CIOs Perceive the Opportunities and Benefits of Consumer IT in the Enterprise

Smarter and Smaller Connected Devices

Transforming IT Is a Critical Step in Building Strong Relationships with the Business

Creating a Process and a Platform for Change and Innovation in the Modern Enterprise

Worried About UI versus UX? Focus Instead on Delivering Great CX

Will IT Build the New Front End for the Customer–Centric Enterprise?

Leveraging Innovation to Drive Value into the Business

Smart Companies Leverage the Skill and Expertise of Their CIOs Before Leaping into Newer Technologies

Getting Serious About Cybersecurity

Hunting on the Network: Q&A with Cybersecurity Expert Shawn Henry of CrowdStrike

Dealing with Cyber Crime Requires a Realistic Mindset

Focusing on Future Trends

Five Key Trends That Are Fundamentally Transforming IT Leadership: Are You Ready for the Challenges Ahead?

Notes

Recommended Reading

Meet Our Expert Sources

About the Author

About HMG Strategy LLC

Index

HUNTER MULLER is President and Chief Executive Officer of HMG Strategy, LLC, a global IT strategy consulting firm. Muller′s ideas and programs have been adopted by corporations worldwide and have proven to enhance executive performance, improve collaboration, elevate the role of IT, and align enterprise strategy across the topmost levels of management.