In this week's edition of news for CIOs and IT pros, we take a look at how trends like automation, mobile, and digital transformation are changing the IT organization.
Technology at work
Technology is changing not only how we do business, but also where. Forty percent of U.S. employees are no longer doing the majority of their work in a traditional office setting, and 55 percent say they need mobile to do their jobs. As a result, IT leaders are presented with more challenges today related to communication and security among a more mobile-than-ever work force.
Also on the horizon, robotic trends and automation are shifting more and more functions from human to machine. In ZDNet, Mark Samuels discusses how IT leaders can address the cultural challenges and explain the business value of automation so that teams can fully embrace the benefits of robotics in the work place.
Of course, automation doesn't mean that humans will become obsolete in IT. As Tom Davenport points out, the key benefit of automation is augmentation, “which combines smart humans and smart machines to achieve an overall better result.” He says that instead of replacing talented IT workers, increased automation should free them up for more important, big picture tasks.
CIO plus digital transformation
We talk a lot about the evolving role of the CIO, especially as it relates to the leadership skills and strategies needed for business and digital transformation. As IT becomes increasingly important to a company's bottom line, CIOs and IT leaders are growing their influence and expanding their careers by taking on more business functions and responsibilities outside of IT. Julia King writes that relationship building, the ability to “let go” of micromanaging, and being a coach/mentor are key to the CIO-plus role.
According to Kim Nash at the Wall Street Journal, one of those “plus” roles increasingly being tacked onto the CIO title is board member as more companies seek out experts on digital transformation. She says, “A seat on a corporate board can advance a CIO’s career, but landing a spot can be difficult. Being a director takes focus, executive presence and in some cases the ability to learn an entirely new industry.”
Regardless of title, the responsibility of digital transformation is a requirement for today's CIOs. Make these three Cs a priority.
CIOs on the move
Michael Giresi Joins Royal Caribbean as CIO
More news for IT pros
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Inside the Crystal Ball: Five Data Center Trends for 2020 and Beyond
