The position of Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) are just two of the leadership positions that can have an impact on your entire business.
These executive roles have changed beyond recognition in the past few years, and only the most agile and forward-thinking people can hope to fill these roles successfully. This is partly because the ever-evolving demands of the workplace are being translated into needs that can only be filled by a solution involving information technology. So, the whole business is looking to the IT department to solve their day-to-day issues and bring them a competitive advantage.
One of the main drivers behind the evolution of these executive roles is the rapid development and adoption of cloud computing services. The ease with which businesses can now access and try out cloud computing services and deploy their chosen service has resulted in a massive increase in the number of options available to those looking for solutions to their business problems, the number of innovative solutions available to them, and the speed with which they can be tested and deployed.
Many feel that IT is no longer just about the hardware and software that supports employees to get the job done. Or even the systems that keep track of financial information or data storage. Nowadays, these are just the foundation blocks.
IT today is core to every aspect of a business as it focuses on the customer and your employees.
IT can introduce your customers to your products, help them along the sales journey, fulfil their orders and encourage them to repeat clients.
For employees, IT provides them with the tools they need to do their job by turning data into information and then knowledge by utilising artificial intelligence and machine learning.
IT can create a competitive advantage for your customers and employees by simplifying the complex and giving people the space to innovate.
With all of this in mind, the thriving information technology leaders of today need to be:
- Able to handle change – technology is developing so rapidly that change is inevitable, and so being able to read and manage your own emotions as well as others is key to a successful change management process
- Creators – can combine all available cloud computing services to create the right solution for your business
- Financially aware – the costs associated with cloud computing can quickly add up; hence a thorough understanding of the cost structures involved and an ability to communicate these to the board is vital.
- Learners – not only in terms of looking after their knowledge of technology but also their team’s continuing education
- Visionaries – have a view of where their industry is heading and what technology they can use to support this.
The IT industry is moving at a rapid pace, and IT team leaders need to be able to adapt to this to succeed. It demands constant learning and growth to be successful. However, suppose you are lucky enough to land an executive role in cloud computing or data through the Agile Recruit team. In that case, you will have an exciting career that offers many opportunities.
