How to talk like a business strategist

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CIO Engaging, retaining and co-creating IT

By Thomas Schmidt

Computerworld weighed in with a strong feature on “the message coming in loud and clear from every corner of the tech and business sectors”: namely, the need for IT pros to think and speak strategically.


In a nutshell:


“Keeping the lights on? Yawn. Transforming business processes? No-brainer. What organizations need in an IT leader now is a business strategist who can serve as a trusted colleague of, rather than merely a tech adviser to, C-suite executives.”


With more and more executive teams recognizing the crucial role that IT plays, it’s not enough for IT leaders to ask, “What kind of tech solutions can I present?” Knowing the company’s mission and understanding its strategic imperative need to be top of mind.


According to the article, the message is getting through to IT professionals. In a Computerworld survey of 489 IT professionals conducted last August and September, respondents said the top three non-IT skills that they believe will make them most valuable are leadership and strategic thinking (cited by 24% of those polled), connecting with customers (16%) and analytical thinking (15%).


Easier said than done, of course. So how should IT pros go about thinking and speaking strategically? Computerworld interviewed several seasoned CIOs for their perspectives. Turns out that tech is actually “a great career for strategic perspective,” as one CIO puts it. That’s especially the case in global organizations where technology touches every department and function.


Above all, keep in mind the adage: "Don’t lead with technology, lead with the business problem." Read the whole article for some refreshingly straight talk. And don't miss the sidebar, “Tough Questions, Better Outcomes.”

What are you doing to better understand the business context of the requests being made of you? What tips do you have for talking to the business?

Tom Schmidt is Managing Editor of IDG Enterprise's Custom Solutions Group. He works closely with enterprise clients to create a wide array of original content, including webcasts, white papers, infographics, and videos. Tom has more than 20 years of award-winning editorial experience, ranging from newspapers to magazines to Websites. Before joining IDG Enterprise, he was Director of Editorial Services at Euro RSCG and Executive Producer, News, at CNET.

Tom Schmidt is Managing Editor of IDG Enterprise's Custom Solutions Group. He works closely with enterprise clients to create a wide array of original content, including webcasts, white papers, infographics, and videos. Tom has more than 20 years of award-winning editorial experience, ranging from newspapers to magazines to Websites.