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Will You Be Left Behind?
The Changing Landscape for IT

The role of IT within your company is going to change. The question is, are you going to change it or is it going to change right out from underneath you?

IT has changed before.

In the 1970s, the minicomputer doomed mainframe computing and forced MIS to dump its white lab coats and its “high priest” image. In the 1980s, the introduction of desktop computing put power and expertise into the hands of the “user,” and the MIS organization had to actually get out into the business and help people. In the 1990s, the Web and Web-based interfaces inspired the self-service organization, in which even the most sophisticated information systems were opened up to direct interaction with employees, customers, partners, vendors, and the world. MIS (Management Information Systems) was no longer just for management, and IT (Information Technology) was born.

And now IT is changing again. This time the change is being driven by business requirements, not new technologies.

The Next Step

In today’s world of tight profit margins, intense competition, and just-in-time strategy, businesses need to be lean and nimble. Anything that does not contribute to the mission of the entire business has become a commodity ripe for outsourcing. Companies are jettisoning everything from fulfillment and logistics to benefits and payroll to . . . you guessed it . . . IT.

The role of the CIO is changing from a technology-oriented position to a process-oriented position. Some companies are actually transitioning their CIOs into CPOs (Chief Process Officers). This is because technology is ubiquitous and, as a result, the role of the technologist has lost its priestly aura. CEOs are beginning to question the value of any technology that does not clearly support the mission of the entire business.

The new CIO is a change agent, a mediator, a business leader. The new CIO isn't interested in building an IT empire; his or her goal is the profitability of the entire enterprise. And businesses are beginning to structure CIO compensation to support this goal.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for the new CIO. You need to work within the structure and culture of your company. That's where we can help.

Our approach to IT isn't technological, it's cultural and social. We see the primary task as an organizational development issue. If you're skeptical, contact us and we'll make our point.

Copyright 2006 by Free Dog! Consulting Services. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction is a violation of US and international copyright. All images copyrighted by their respective owners and used by permission.