Comments for http://mitcio2008.wordpress.com CIOs Discuss - Balancing Innovation and Cost Leadership in Your Firm Wed, 14 May 2008 01:51:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU Comment on Focus on mid-market CIOs by Sai http://mitcio2008.wordpress.com/2008/05/01/focus-on-mid-market-cios/#comment-16 Sai Fri, 09 May 2008 18:56:32 +0000 http://mitcio2008.wordpress.com/?p=43#comment-16 Given the vast array of "specialized widgets & wizardy" that need come together to weave the fabric of contemporary organization's IS/IT infrastructure; it is not surprising that organizations that dont enjoy economies of scale need to contend with truly doing more with less. Playing "hands on roles making technologies work" is probably a direct result . "Apps on tap" and "software as a service" are beacons of hope to mid-market CIO's. They must consider outsourcing the mechanics and focus on other ways to add value - say, business process transformation/optimization, high-value analytics, new product / service creation etc. This would highlight the "I" in the CIO, i.e. "Information" and truly bring the CIO to THE Table as a value-adding partner. "Commodity IT" is here to stay ... and keeping the 'lights on' here with a myriad mix of widgets to take care of (and pay for!) only detracts from keeping the eye on the business. Mid Market CIO's are possibly a rich source for lessons in optimal allocation of resources. I would predict that as IT itself becomes more ubiquitous, and mid-market CIO's outsource commodity IT, more and more line-of-business Executives will start taking interest in becoming CIO. Give it a good generation (or half!), and today's Facebook-fed, MySpace-mingling crowd will cross the rubicon more effortlessly and stake claim to the chair. What do you think? How will the Mid Market CIO look 10 years from now? ~ S Given the vast array of “specialized widgets & wizardy” that need come together to weave the fabric of contemporary organization’s IS/IT infrastructure; it is not surprising that organizations that dont enjoy economies of scale need to contend with truly doing more with less. Playing “hands on roles making technologies work” is probably a direct result .

“Apps on tap” and “software as a service” are beacons of hope to mid-market CIO’s. They must consider outsourcing the mechanics and focus on other ways to add value - say, business process transformation/optimization, high-value analytics, new product / service creation etc. This would highlight the “I” in the CIO, i.e. “Information” and truly bring the CIO to THE Table as a value-adding partner.

“Commodity IT” is here to stay … and keeping the ‘lights on’ here with a myriad mix of widgets to take care of (and pay for!) only detracts from keeping the eye on the business. Mid Market CIO’s are possibly a rich source for lessons in optimal allocation of resources.

I would predict that as IT itself becomes more ubiquitous, and mid-market CIO’s outsource commodity IT, more and more line-of-business Executives will start taking interest in becoming CIO. Give it a good generation (or half!), and today’s Facebook-fed, MySpace-mingling crowd will cross the rubicon more effortlessly and stake claim to the chair.

What do you think? How will the Mid Market CIO look 10 years from now?

~ S

]]> Comment on Generation Gap … embracing and bridging the gap by sai http://mitcio2008.wordpress.com/2008/05/01/generation-gap-embracing-and-bridging-the-gap/#comment-15 sai Wed, 07 May 2008 21:04:38 +0000 http://mitcio2008.wordpress.com/?p=44#comment-15 indeed, the generation gap is a reality in the current workplace ... with baby boomers and gen Y's and every shade in between! the dynamics of communicating across generations / countries / cultures generates very interesting dynamics in the modern workplace. for CIO's, the "I" part of their job -"Information" becomes that much more complex and richer. are you ready to 'dimdim' or 'userplane' the enterprise? "why, not?" ... asks the gen "why" ... socializing ideas in realtime absent fear or favor for hierarchy ... but sensitive to the opportunity create and deliver value ... in warp speed. decision-making + communication norms / structures / systems need a whole hearted re-look when the 'gens' come together in workplace n.0. ~ S indeed, the generation gap is a reality in the current workplace … with baby boomers and gen Y’s and every shade in between! the dynamics of communicating across generations / countries / cultures generates very interesting dynamics in the modern workplace.

for CIO’s, the “I” part of their job -”Information” becomes that much more complex and richer. are you ready to ‘dimdim’ or ‘userplane’ the enterprise? “why, not?” … asks the gen “why” … socializing ideas in realtime absent fear or favor for hierarchy … but sensitive to the opportunity create and deliver value … in warp speed.

decision-making + communication norms / structures / systems need a whole hearted re-look when the ‘gens’ come together in workplace n.0.

~ S

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