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Supporting the government’s ‘Digital by Default’ strategy we’re keen everyone has the skills and confidence to use IT. Here, we share thoughts on a variety of digital matters.
See all posts by Digital SkillsThe future chief information officer, and their team, need a suite of skills much broader than that of pure technology. Technology is changing at an ever increasing pace. We are, for example, living and working through the rise of big data, the internet of things and we are just starting to see how artificial intelligence is beginning to offer new business opportunities. What it takes to become a CEO is then, very much, an evolving topic of discussion.
A recent report launched by BCS - Building CIO strategies with data - explores what it takes to become a CEO. The document draws on survey data gathered and analysed by BCS. It delves into the specific technology skills that may be required. These will, of course, vary across organisations and sectors but include:
More general management skills CIOs need to build to enable the management of technology within an organisation include:
To build a new mix of skills and personalities within the team will require new approaches. Building relationships with end customers will be vital as is helping academia and suppliers to see the needs of organisations and their customers so they can, in turn, shape their offers.
Ultimately though, becoming a CEO involves a number of new challenges that will require significantly more than keeping up to date with technology alone. There is value in managing technology within an organisation, but for the future CIO it will increasingly be with a fresh perspective of focusing on customers and their needs.
To help you understand what it takes to become a CIO, download the report Building CIO strategies with data.