RSSSteve Ulfelder Writes About CIOs on Boards
In a prior post I wrote about "… Moving CIOs Into the Boardroom and Out of the Server Room". Well Steve Ulfelder has got another great article on the same sort of topic with additional coverage on the greater context in which the CIO fits (relative to other CXOs, other competitors, etc.). My favorite 3 paragraphs plus 1 bullet point from the article:
…Businesses that do have CIOs on their boards of Directors tend to outperform their competitors, with profits averaging 6.4 percent above their industry averages, according to the study, which included senior IT executives such as vice presidents within the CIO category…
…The dearth of CIOs on boards of directors indicates that, lip service aside, few CEOs view technologists as likely to impress outsiders or contribute mightily on questions of strategy…
…In the end, the lack of CIOs on corporate boards may be a symptom rather than the ailment. "The problem is broader than just not being on boards," says Lewis. "It's not being a peer in the major decisions of the company. It's important for CIOs to assert themselves and establish that peer relationship, and that's a philosophical change."…
Now for the one bullet point I like the most … in Steve's prescription for change, he cites:
Get moving on your MBA.
Having seen MBAs referred to as "Mostly B***S*** Artists" from a well-respected blogger in the tech area, well I'm glad Ulfelder supports the education.
Steve Shu
