Leadership and strategic planning
Effective leadership and strategic planning skills are the keys to success for any CIO. As more CIOs are expected to speak the language of the business and contribute to the success of the organization, leadership and strategic planning skills are essential. Find information and advice on effective leadership and strategic planning for CIOs, including news, tips and other resources, in this topic section.
Top Stories
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Feature
05 Jul 2023
Replacing vs. maintaining legacy systems
Understanding issues such as which systems hinder organizational performance can help IT leaders decide which legacy systems to replace and which to maintain. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Dec 2022
How companies can overcome the IT worker shortage
Research shows organizations are still struggling to bring in IT talent. We identify the reasons why there's a shortage and what CIOs and other IT leaders can do to combat it. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Jun 2020
Why is innovative leadership essential in the workplace?
Mark McClain, co-founder and CEO of SailPoint, discusses how he became an innovative leader in business today and how it helped create a collaborative environment in the workplace. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Jun 2020
SailPoint CEO drives leadership values in the workplace
Sometimes, it's not just about the technology. In his book, Mark McClain dives into the importance of generating a people-centered culture where values are core to organizational success. Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Jun 2020
Involve your security team in the decision-making process
It's time for businesses to include security teams in project planning -- even when it's not cybersecurity related -- because their experience provides diverse insights that might otherwise be missed. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Jun 2020
CIO strategies for COVID-19 require new long-term IT planning
CIOs should look beyond the immediate IT requirements created by the COVID-19 outbreak and think about what will be needed in post-pandemic environments. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 May 2020
Top IT priorities for 2020 align with COVID-19, but spending falls
The biggest IT spending drivers from TechTarget's 2020 IT Priorities Survey remain relevant amid the COVID-19 pandemic, although cuts in planned spending are likely. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 May 2020
How companies can ensure success working from home
Analyst Andrew Hewitt explains how companies have adjusted to remote work, what they need to be effective now and what to consider before reopening the office. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 May 2020
Creating agile conversations in digital transformation initiatives
Douglas Squirrel and Jeffrey Fredrick, authors of the book 'Agile Conversations,' dive into the significance of improved conversations while undergoing digital transformations. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 May 2020
Overcoming the challenges of managing your team remotely
With a vast majority of office employees forced to work remotely from home due to the global pandemic, managers face a new set of worker productivity issues to solve. Continue Reading
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Feature
06 May 2020
Implementing a business continuity plan in times of crisis
Forrester Research analysts discuss what we initially knew about the COVID-19 pandemic, how it's transforming business and how to devise a business continuity plan. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 May 2020
Former White House CIO talks cybersecurity risk mitigation
Cybersecurity expert Theresa Payton provides critical insight on current cybersecurity threats CIOs should be looking out for and how to prepare for them during and after the pandemic. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Apr 2020
Survive the 'tech-clash' by rethinking 5 technology trends
A recent Accenture survey showed that organizations should consider a human-centric approach when looking to adopt the latest technology trends, including AI, smart products, 5G and more. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Apr 2020
The inevitable future of blockchain in the enterprise
The future of blockchain in the enterprise is still unwritten, but if your organization hasn't started mapping a plan, it's already behind. Here's how to get your bearings. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Apr 2020
Red Hat CIO talks data literacy and digital transformation
Mike Kelly dives into his role as CIO and the data literacy program he co-founded at Red Hat, as well as provides insight for CIOs facing pressure in the digital transformation era. Continue Reading
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Feature
07 Apr 2020
Why data in digital transformation is crucial to your business
Fidelma Russo, CTO at Iron Mountain, addresses data needs associated with digital transformation and how using that data will help your business make informed decisions. Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Apr 2020
C-suite executives offer advice on working remotely during pandemic
C-level execs in industries from biotech and telecom to accounting and marketing are making sure their employees have the proper resources to carry on. Here's what they're doing. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Mar 2020
How IT can build an agile business partnership
Gene Kim, award-winning researcher, author and founder of IT Revolution, discusses why IT leaders need to involve their colleagues in the journey towards an agile business. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Mar 2020
Former Cisco CEO offers C-suite leadership tips in time of crisis
COVID-19 is forcing enterprises to make tough decisions. There is no one-size-fits-all roadmap, but those who've survived earlier crises have advice for today's leaders. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Mar 2020
COVID-19 radically refocuses CIO agendas in 4 key areas
As a result of the COVID-19 virus, CIOs must shift their priorities and now focus on the impact the pandemic has on the economy, employee health, staffing and technology. Continue Reading
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News
23 Mar 2020
Coronavirus pandemic ups the IT contract negotiation game
IT contract negotiation has always been a difficult dance between customers and vendors, but the coronavirus pandemic means there are new rules to navigate on both sides. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Mar 2020
How RPA and digital transformation work together
Enterprises that think RPA is a good endpoint for digital transformation efforts are in for a rude shock. While automation is a good start, it can leave deeper issues unresolved. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Mar 2020
How to negotiate a good software subscription agreement
A big mistake IT execs make in negotiating software subscription deals is overbuying. Here are seven steps from ClearEdge Partners' Rachel Annello that will lead to a better deal. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Mar 2020
Here's why a customer feedback program is essential to a business
With C-suite executives investing in a customer feedback program, they will be able to implement strategies to capitalize on positive ratings and resolve negative comments. Continue Reading
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News
04 Mar 2020
List of tech conferences canceled, postponed due to coronavirus
IT events across the globe are being canceled, rescheduled or streamed in response to concerns about the possible spread of COVID-19 in public spaces and large groups. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Feb 2020
How to overcome the limitations of AI
AI may not become the super-intelligent tool people envisioned, at least not in the near term. But that doesn't mean enterprises can't use AI in some valuable ways. Continue Reading
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Feature
03 Feb 2020
Cisco CISO says today's enterprise must take chances
Cisco CISO Steve Martino talks about taking chances, threats, how the security leader's role is changing and what really works when it comes to keeping the company secure. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Jan 2020
The rise of RPA bots and the role of C-level decision makers
According to new research, there will be 3 million RPA bots running in the enterprise in 2020. As RPA bots proliferate, C-level decision makers must take steps to ensure their RPA programs deliver tactical and strategic benefits. Check out this expert guidance. Continue Reading
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News
10 Dec 2019
IT workforce skews younger, says analysis of US data
The IT workforce is getting younger, according to government IT workforce data. The reasons for this are subject to a debate that includes everything from age bias to a heavy reliance on foreign workers. Continue Reading
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20 Nov 2019
Town of Falmouth pursues automation innovation to save costs
One Massachusetts town's embrace of automation, virtualization and other technology innovation provides an example for other entities and IT leaders to follow. Continue Reading
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11 Nov 2019
Mark Schwartz dives into risk management in War and Peace and IT
Get an inside look into Mark Schwartz's new book, War and Peace and IT, with a chapter excerpt on risk and opportunity, as well as a Q&A with the author. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Nov 2019
How quantum computing and machine learning boost each other
If you haven't started thinking about how quantum computing will impact your enterprise, you should. It's coming on rapidly and will have major effects, particularly on AI. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Oct 2019
How to become a CIO thought leader
Experts discuss how CIOs and IT leaders can utilize successful thought leadership to distinguish and promote either their companies or themselves. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Oct 2019
Achieving business value from cognitive collaboration
CIOs can take advantage of AI to improve employee and customer collaboration with cognitive capabilities that are now available from vendors such as Microsoft, Google and Facebook. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Oct 2019
CIO as technology evangelist: Build your case for transformation
Technology change is hard -- and, these days, it's constant. Here's how one CIO learned to become a technology evangelist and got the time, money and buy-in for IT transformation. Continue Reading
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Opinion
02 Oct 2019
Championing IT operational excellence: The strategic CIO's first day
CIOs may be tempted to roll out their strategic initiatives to C-suite peers on day one, but savvy CIOs know IT operational excellence is step No. 1. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Sep 2019
Squads, pods, cells? Making sense of Agile teams
Workers are now organized in new types of groups as a result of the movement known as Agile at scale. However, to succeed, the changes have to be more than in name only. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Sep 2019
Home Depot CIO promotes in-house tech boot camp
For companies having trouble finding qualified IT professionals to hire, the solution may be closer than you think. Just ask Home Depot, which now trains IT employees in-house. Continue Reading
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Quiz
17 Sep 2019
Put your composable infrastructure knowledge to the test
Are you up to speed on composable disaggregated infrastructure and technology? Take our quiz to find out if you know how composability works and how it can benefit you. Continue Reading
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Guide
11 Sep 2019
CIO role in digital transformation
The shift to a digital economy is dramatically changing the role of the CIO, from trusted IT operator to business strategist. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Sep 2019
Book excerpt: Communication structures of an organization
The following is an excerpt from 'Team Topologies: Organizing Business and Technology Teams for Fast Flow,' by Matthew Skelton and Manuel Pais, as well as a Q&A with the authors. Continue Reading
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19 Aug 2019
RPA journey: Schneider Electric's global plan taps Blue Prism, UiPath
Schneider Electric, a multinational energy management company, has embarked on a robotic process automation journey, establishing a global team to evaluate RPA use cases. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Aug 2019
To predict customer buying behavior, stop, look, listen, analyze
Determining customer wants and needs to devise personalization strategies based on that data takes advanced technologies and the old-fashioned direct approach. Continue Reading
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16 Aug 2019
Customer personalization relies on tools, tactics, metrics
Measuring the success of personalized engagements across multiple channels and making adjustments can help improve CX, differentiate offerings and increase sales. Continue Reading
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01 Aug 2019
For board of directors, cybersecurity literacy is essential
For boards of directors to meet their business goals, CISOs need a seat at the table. Through her initiative BoardSuited, Joyce Brocaglia aims to pave the way. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Jul 2019
Words to go: Composable disaggregated infrastructure glossary
Dig into these terms to get a sense of composable infrastructure and what its disaggregated server capabilities can bring to your IT environment and application workloads. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Jul 2019
Facebook's Libra project -- why enterprises should prepare
Facebook's foray into cryptocurrency is setting off alarm bells in government and finance circles. The question is how could the Libra project help the enterprise? Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Jul 2019
Amid pivot to the cloud, a change management plan builds support
A comprehensive change management plan was critical to the success of SoulCycle's big shift to the cloud. Read how IT coached employees to change the way they worked. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Jul 2019
CIO's breadth, depth, business savvy on display at Trace3 Evolve
Technology leaders from NetApp, First American and Experian were among those honored at the Trace3 Evolve event. Their outsized role in driving business value was on full display. Continue Reading
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Answer
01 Jul 2019
The case for CIOs taking charge of Agile at scale
Agile at scale is becoming a best practice for leading companies. Will the CIO be the CEO's proxy for driving scaled agility? Not without lobbying for the job. Continue Reading
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Answer
01 Jul 2019
4 essential elements of Agile at scale
Dave West, the CEO and product owner at Scrum.org, explains what is meant by the term 'Agile at scale,' how it can be applied in IT and the CIO's role in this new movement. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Jun 2019
AI's carbon footprint will be an issue for enterprises
AI is touted as the tech that will help us combat global warming, but training AI models requires a shocking amount of energy. What are the implications for enterprise AI strategies? Continue Reading
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News
21 Jun 2019
What do the Google, Salesforce analytics deals mean for CIOs?
Google and Salesforce's recent multibillion-dollar BI deals have put analytics in the spotlight. What's the import for CIOs -- aside from the fact that data rules? Continue Reading
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Opinion
18 Jun 2019
CIOs need a strategy for AR and VR use cases -- now
CIOs need to start thinking about AR and VR and other immersive technologies as the new enterprise UI. Continue Reading
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Guide
07 Jun 2019
Multipronged digital customer experience strategy enriches CX
The digital experience is an everyday facet of life. Learn how businesses are using tools and technologies to engage consumers and devise and manage effective CX strategies. Continue Reading
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Answer
31 May 2019
Why is diversity in tech becoming a CIO issue?
CIOs need to take radical steps to increase the number of women and minorities in tech. Deloitte's Anjali Shaikh explains. Continue Reading
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Answer
31 May 2019
How can CIOs improve their IT mentorship programs?
According to Deloitte's Anjali Shaikh, CIOs are no better than their C-suite peers at mentoring. An IT talent shortage demands CIOs do better. Here's how. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 May 2019
The C-suite case for hiring a chief customer officer: 5 elements
Delivering world-class digital customer experiences has become job No. 1 for companies. Nemertes' Robin Gareiss makes the case for putting a chief customer officer in charge. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 May 2019
Andrew Ng's AI playbook for the enterprise: 6 must-dos
AI legend and online education pioneer Andrew Ng has developed an AI playbook for businesses. Here are six must-dos. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 May 2019
CIOs need to rethink how they're managing outsourcing transitions
The old rules for managing outsourcing transitions no longer apply. Here are three nontraditional approaches to help ensure maximum benefit when switching outsourcing providers. Continue Reading
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Infographic
08 May 2019
Enterprise adoption of hyper-converged storage gains traction
Hyper-convergence may be on the upswing, but concerns about vendor lock-in, integration and the independent scaling of resources, including storage, limit its appeal for some. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Apr 2019
Transformational leadership style inspires 'moonshot goals'
Entrepreneur extraordinaire Keith Krach talks about the network effect, turning competitors into partners and paying it forward in this third and final part of our Q&A. Continue Reading
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29 Apr 2019
How to build a startup: 7 tips from Keith Krach
Entrepreneur Keith Krach recounts how he started Ariba, sharing a treasure trove of tips in part two of this three-part Q&A. Continue Reading
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25 Apr 2019
Keith Krach: The making of a technology leader
Keith Krach, of DocuSign fame, talks about his long career as a technology leader. Part one covers the early years, from his first jobs at GM to making his mark in Silicon Valley. Continue Reading
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News
24 Apr 2019
Pointers on becoming a transformational CIO, pitfalls to avoid
A panel of CIO experts explore the role of the transformational CIO. Understanding organizational change and being plugged in are big factors. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Apr 2019
Problems with blockchain and how they're being solved
Do you know about the blockchain trilemma? David Petersson looks at some of the problems with blockchain and how cutting-edge companies are tackling them. Continue Reading
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News
26 Mar 2019
Scalable learning vs. scalable efficiency in the automation age
The right way to treat employees in the automation age is not by deploying scalable efficiency, but by offering scalable learning. The first requirement: enlightened leaders. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Mar 2019
5 reasons CIO career paths go south -- and how to protect yourself
Safeguard your CIO career path. Agiloft CEO Colin Earl details the top five reasons CIOs get the ax -- and how to avoid them. Continue Reading
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News
18 Feb 2019
Accenture predicts post-digital age where trust is the differentiator
The latest Accenture Technology Vision report calls out 'DARQ' technologies as the new must-have for CIOs and underscores the importance of building digital trust. Continue Reading
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Feature
06 Feb 2019
21st-century CIO job description puts CIOs in vortex of emerging tech
The ban against pursuing tech for tech's sake -- it's been lifted. CIOs need to dive into emerging tech to extract its business potential. Welcome to the new CIO job description. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Jan 2019
Advice to healthcare CIOs: Be willing to share wins and losses
Being a successful CIO means building relationships across the healthcare industry and establishing a good team within an organization, the CHIME-HIMSS CIO of the Year says. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Jan 2019
Barclays Bank takes a crack at IBM's quantum computer
Quantum computing may one day explain the universe. Today, the biggest challenge for an early adopter is making the problem sufficiently simple to run on a quantum computer. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Jan 2019
CIOs share their 2019 tech resolutions
We asked five CIOs to share their tech resolutions for the new year. Ambition is sky high. Projects include RPA, AI that can handle sensitive data, scaling the business and more. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Jan 2019
Free IT mission statement examples for CIOs
These free IT mission statement examples and how-tos can help CIOs and their IT departments identify and refine their organizational goals. Continue Reading
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News
21 Jan 2019
5 IT trends shaping 2019 CIO strategies
Tech executives sound off on the IT trends they see shaping CIO strategies in 2019. AI and cloud loom large, but the test for CIOs is not just technical. Continue Reading
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News
18 Jan 2019
CIO role: Should a CIO manipulate information?
IT experts react to yesterday's report in the Wall Street Journal that a CIO used his private company to manipulate online polling data. What's that say about the CIO role? Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Jan 2019
Ret. Gen. Stan McChrystal on what's wrong with modern leadership
Retired four-star Gen. Stan McChrystal talks about how modern leadership needs to change and what leadership means in the age of AI. Continue Reading
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News
10 Jan 2019
Digital user experience a big CIO goal in 2019
In 2019, CIOs should expect to play a major role in delivering a top-notch digital user experience -- for customers, employees and for the sake of the company brand. Continue Reading
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News
03 Jan 2019
Top drivers of digital transformation projects have inward focus
Our IT Priorities Survey shows that close to 70% of companies are pursuing digital transformation. Learn what metrics they're targeting and how they're spending 2019 IT budgets. Continue Reading
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Answer
21 Dec 2018
IT vs. business: Who owns the machine learning capability?
You can't have machine learning without help from IT, but the discipline is bigger than IT. Practitioners weigh in on who owns the machine learning capability. Continue Reading
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News
20 Dec 2018
2018 tech events: The year in photos
Did you hit the road in 2018 to learn about IT trends? We did. This photo roundup takes a look back at some of the notable moments from SearchCIO's tech event coverage. Continue Reading
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News
30 Nov 2018
How to get more women leaders in tech: It's not just a numbers game
Women leaders in tech are still few and far between. The industry knows it's a problem, but fixing gender inequality in the top ranks won't be easy, according to a recent panel. Continue Reading
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News
30 Nov 2018
How to ask questions the way great business leaders do: CFO Summit
Great business leaders are willing to endure all sorts of pain when they ask questions, says Hal Gregersen, who spoke at the MIT CFO Summit. That's how they solve problems. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Nov 2018
The role of the CIO today requires 2 key skills
Matt Minetola, CIO at Travelport, reflects on how the role of the CIO in digital transformation has rewritten the rules of IT success. Continue Reading
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Answer
28 Nov 2018
How can companies build a strategy for monetizing data?
To extract value from data, most companies will face people, process and technology challenges. Matt Maccaux explains the ins and outs of monetizing data. Continue Reading
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News
28 Nov 2018
Enterprise AI adoption on fire, but foundation lacking for sustainable AI
McKinsey surveyed thousands of executives on their AI projects to find out what was working and what wasn't. Here's the lowdown. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Nov 2018
6 ways CIOs can make valuation of data a business driver
Gartner believes data should be on every company's balance sheet. Here are six data valuation models on how CIOs can put a price tag on their data. Continue Reading
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News
16 Nov 2018
How augmented intelligence can enhance jobs
Augmented intelligence -- AI used to enhance human skills -- makes workplaces more productive, diverse, inclusive and authentic. That's one future conjured at an MIT forum on AI. Continue Reading
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News
31 Oct 2018
'Radical candor' management style resonates at Harvard tech event
How to be a better boss: At Tech Conference 24, leadership guru Kim Scott shared how a stern critique from Facebook's Sheryl Sandberg led to the concept of 'radical candor.' Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Oct 2018
What can CIOs expect from ITIL 4? More leadership advice, for one
ITIL 4 is scheduled for release in early 2019. ITIL expert David Ratcliffe discusses what's different about this ITIL update and why the guidance remains vitally relevant to CIOs. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Oct 2018
How secure-by-design ITSM processes can be a business differentiator
Secure ITSM procedures are essential to digital organizations' data protection processes. They can also be a bottom line boon, says information governance expert Jeffrey Ritter. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Oct 2018
Embedded IT, global talent to define future of IT jobs
As more businesses identify as tech companies, what's the future of IT jobs? Many IT teams will work remotely on a gig-by-gig basis and their colleagues will span the globe. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Oct 2018
Improve your digital transformation plan: 3 tips from EY's Jeff Wong
EY's chief innovation officer believes a successful digital transformation plan rests on building an ecosystem of internal champions and outside experts who don't think alike. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Oct 2018
EY exec shares strategy for digital transformation in business
EY is recruiting STEM talent, offering employees courses in AI -- and more -- in its quest for a digital business model that can exploit rapid change. Continue Reading
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News
16 Oct 2018
Gartner Symposium 2018: Digital business models shift IT priorities
With digital business models maturing, CIOs have shifted their IT and business priorities to make digitization projects successful -- and to get other company leaders on board. Continue Reading
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News
16 Oct 2018
Gartner Symposium 2018: 10 culture hacks for CIOs to spur DX
Culture is a barrier to digital transformation, and it's the CIO's job to help change it, said analyst Kristin Moyer at Gartner Symposium 2018. Continue Reading
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Feature
12 Oct 2018
Automation and employment debate takes a new turn
Future of work trends: Academics and industry executives shared their views on the evolution of RPA and the impact of AI on jobs at the recent UiPath Forward conference. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Oct 2018
ITSM governance essential as new tech trends drive business processes
New tech trends in AI, cloud and robotic process automation create capabilities that are reshaping ITSM. But for the innovations to reach their full potential, strong governance over ITSM processes are required. Continue Reading
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Answer
04 Oct 2018
What steps can CIOs take to neutralize cloud shadow IT?
In this Ask the Expert, Gartner's Marco Meinardi explains why denying access and applying too much intermediation are not effective in neutralizing cloud shadow IT projects. Continue Reading
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Opinion
28 Sep 2018
IT service delivery model: CIOs pressured to reinvent the process
Tech managers are on the hook to reinvent the IT shop, but tools like user self-service, ITSM practices and the rent vs. buy option are helping effect change. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Sep 2018
5 ways ITSM automation is driving business value
Current trends in ITSM automation include the adoption of intelligent automation, ITSM as a service, digital labor, artificial intelligence and machine learning. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Sep 2018
4 ITSM best practices for managing service vendors
CIOs must align IT strategy to business KPIs, and so should their service vendors. In this ITSM best practices tip, experts explain how to tie vendor services to business outcomes. Continue Reading