Qualities of future CIOs – Forwards thinking, managing digital transformation, saying yes when necessary, considering customers and their data as an asset  

Digital transformation has created new technology-related titles including CDOs, CMO, experience officers and analytics officers have provided more control and power over data

Digital transformation is highly useful in searching for answers for the technical problems that assist in continuing the business operations smoothly. It has changed the dynamics of business operations by providing intelligence generated from the customer’s data. Many businesses have an IT transformation budget to manage the occurrence of the change. Digital transformation has created new opportunities for CIOs making it necessary for the CIOs to realize the importance of digital transformation. If not then they would not be able to able to run the business operations effectively. This is important or else they might not be given importance for business strategic decisions.

Some of the traits and qualities that are required by the CIOs in order to compete with the changing environment and technology shift are the following:

Focusing Solely on the Customers

Customer Experience Officers is a field that manages the relationship with the customers by considering customers and their data as the main focal point. It is important for the CIOs to realize the title of the customer experience officer. CIOs are not only responsible for managing the internal business IT operation but they also need to improve the customer experience by delivering necessary business information to the Customer Experience Officer. They are also responsible to identify the needs of the customers and establish a sound relationship with the experienced officer working within an organization.

Data – An Asset

It is necessary for the CIOs to realize the importance of customers for the organization, which is only done through the data collected from the customers. Traditionally the idea of data was just some information that was collected and backed up for quite a time and then discarded. This concept has changed with digital transformation and it has made the organization realize the importance of customer data. The organizations understand how to utilize the information and the tools required for extracting meaningful information from raw data. Now organization pays more focus on the data collection, management, analysis, security and how this data can be used to provide a competitive edge over their competitors.

Data provides deep insight and helps the organization understand the natural pattern of its customers from the data. For understanding the data the CDO and CIOs particularly must possess the data analysis skills useful for the sole purpose of aligning information. Understanding data help the CIOs to easily communicate with the business coworkers and assist them in making the correct decisions benefitting the organization ultimately.

Overlapping roles between CIOs, CXOs, CDOs, and CMOs

CIOs, CXOs, CDOs, and CMOs are some of the titles created due to digital transformation but in some situations, these titles can have overlapping roles creating confusion. It may be due to a lack of understanding of these roles that these titles fight over the control of technology. Organizations need to have a clear understanding of these roles and how to effectively utilize them best according to their strengths and develop a collaborative environment. They should stop their internal war over the technology control and IT budget spending, instead, they need to work together to improve the IT contribution for business operations. The main role of the CIO is to act wisely as a consultant in the organization and be able to work effectively with other technology-related titles in the organization. They need to build relationships with IT-related and non-IT related executives focusing on the needs of the organization, its customers and how to address it. 

Say YES when necessary

One of the bad habits that are developed in CIOs over the years is saying NO and keeping control of the IT-related decisions. This negating behavior is due to the risk-avoiding nature and they always try to play safe. Many CIOs will say NO to innovative solutions due to the risks associated with them, which needs to be changed. CIOs should be given such liberty to take these types of decisions for the betterment of the organization and its customers.  

Digital transformation gives opportunities to the CIOs to connect with the customers by using the data and technology for generating benefits and revenue for the organization. It is necessary for the CIOs to make the executives understand the need for data. The knowledge extracted from the data must have an impact on the IT changes that need to be incorporated. This is significant for making the executives see technology as the main driving force for the organization.