A tighter economy means the enterprise needs to realize benefits even faster. Will the enterprise’s digital initiatives support the kind of tech impact CIOs want?
Execution - The Discipline of getting things done GMR Group
This book was published in the year 2002 and I had read this book at that time. Revisited and read this book again just to evaluate the context. Even today the context of this book is very relevant.
Too many leaders fool themselves into thinking their companies are well run. They are like the parents in Garrison Keillor’s fictional Lake Wobegon, all of whom think their children are above average. Then the top performers at Lake Wobegon High school arrive at the University of Minnesota or Colgate or Princeton and find out they are average or even below average. Similarly , when corporate leaders start understanding how the GE’s and Emerson Electrics of this world are run- how superbly they get things done- they discover how far they have to go before they become World class in Execution.
Here is the fundamental problem: People think of execution as the tactical side of business, something leaders delegate while thy focus on the perceived “bigger” issues. This idea is completely wrong. Execution is not just tactics—it is a discipline and a system. It has to be built into a company’s strategy, its goals, and its culture. And the leader of the organization must be deeply engaged in it. He can delegate its substance.
We talk to many leaders who fall victim to the gap between promises they’ve made and results their organizations delivered. They frequently tell us they have a problem with accountability—people aren’t doing the things they’re supposed to do to implement a plan. They desperately want to make changes of some kind, but what do they need to change? They don’t know.
Execution is a specific set of behaviors and techniques that companies need to master in order to have competitive advantage.
Read this Summary ……
Execution - The Discipline of getting things done GMR Group
This book was published in the year 2002 and I had read this book at that time. Revisited and read this book again just to evaluate the context. Even today the context of this book is very relevant.
Too many leaders fool themselves into thinking their companies are well run. They are like the parents in Garrison Keillor’s fictional Lake Wobegon, all of whom think their children are above average. Then the top performers at Lake Wobegon High school arrive at the University of Minnesota or Colgate or Princeton and find out they are average or even below average. Similarly , when corporate leaders start understanding how the GE’s and Emerson Electrics of this world are run- how superbly they get things done- they discover how far they have to go before they become World class in Execution.
Here is the fundamental problem: People think of execution as the tactical side of business, something leaders delegate while thy focus on the perceived “bigger” issues. This idea is completely wrong. Execution is not just tactics—it is a discipline and a system. It has to be built into a company’s strategy, its goals, and its culture. And the leader of the organization must be deeply engaged in it. He can delegate its substance.
We talk to many leaders who fall victim to the gap between promises they’ve made and results their organizations delivered. They frequently tell us they have a problem with accountability—people aren’t doing the things they’re supposed to do to implement a plan. They desperately want to make changes of some kind, but what do they need to change? They don’t know.
Execution is a specific set of behaviors and techniques that companies need to master in order to have competitive advantage.
Read this Summary ……
W2O Group Function Optimization 2014 reportW2O Group
Over the course of our existence, W2O Group has been working with global organizations, specifically Chief Communications Officers (CCOs), to better organize, structure and fully develop corporate communications as a function, a system, and a set of capabilities to better align with strategic priorities. The report is a compilation of lessons learned, insights gleaned and recommendations for companies of all sizes.
ROP Maturity is a both a process and a philosophy. In order to achieve higher Return On People, your organization must be willing to fundamentally change the way it measures its workforce and view its people as a financial asset, not a liability. It must thrive on rapid change, and recognize that agility is now a basic survival skill. The Return on People eBook will open your eyes to steps you can begin to take today in order to get there.
Australian Not-for-Profit CIO Forum March 2011 - Rob LivingstoneLivingstone Advisory
Australian Not-for-Profit CIO Forum March 2011 - Presentation on The Importance of Mentoring to CIOs and IT Managers - Supporting sustained, positive transformational change in IT and Organisations
Key Account Managers – Understand the Stakeholders - TLSA.pdfonline Marketing
Harness the transformative power of stakeholder management. As Key Account Managers in today’s ever-evolving business landscape, we understand the imperative of strategic relationship-building. Strengthen your network, navigate change effectively, and drive business growth. please visit: https://tlsasalestraining.co.uk/leaders-digest/key-account-managers-understand-the-stakeholders/
Creating a marketing communications plan toolsDeborah Spector
A Creative Solutions & Innovations Tool Kit that describes the tools included in Creating a Marketing Communications Plan. Tools include: SWOT & SWOT Interplay, Positioning your NPO, Channels, POST Development Tool and Message Development Box.
Six steps you should follow if you want to become a C-Level ExecutiveJason Hanold
Nowadays young professionals are eager to climb positions in the corporate world, however, by simple mathematics is clear then only few of those will ever become a C-Level Executive. Follow next six steps.
Presentation given at the Digital Workplace Conference in Auckland, New Zealand on May 2nd, 2018 outlining the "secret sauce" in a successful marketing strategy, whether that of an organizational or an individual, and focusing on building a brand.
Presented at the Digital Workplace Conference Australia, held in Melbourne AU on August 15th and 16th, 2018. This presentation outlines the evolution that has happened in marketing, and the components that are necessary for successful brand building and digital marketing.
Session from the Digital Workplace Conference NZ (#DWCNZ), held at the Cordis Hotel in Auckland, New Zealand on April 30th, 2019. Presented by Christian Buckley, Microsoft RD & MVP, and the CEO of CollabTalk LLC, an independent research and technical marketing services company based in Lehi, Utah.
W2O Group Function Optimization 2014 reportW2O Group
Over the course of our existence, W2O Group has been working with global organizations, specifically Chief Communications Officers (CCOs), to better organize, structure and fully develop corporate communications as a function, a system, and a set of capabilities to better align with strategic priorities. The report is a compilation of lessons learned, insights gleaned and recommendations for companies of all sizes.
ROP Maturity is a both a process and a philosophy. In order to achieve higher Return On People, your organization must be willing to fundamentally change the way it measures its workforce and view its people as a financial asset, not a liability. It must thrive on rapid change, and recognize that agility is now a basic survival skill. The Return on People eBook will open your eyes to steps you can begin to take today in order to get there.
Australian Not-for-Profit CIO Forum March 2011 - Rob LivingstoneLivingstone Advisory
Australian Not-for-Profit CIO Forum March 2011 - Presentation on The Importance of Mentoring to CIOs and IT Managers - Supporting sustained, positive transformational change in IT and Organisations
Key Account Managers – Understand the Stakeholders - TLSA.pdfonline Marketing
Harness the transformative power of stakeholder management. As Key Account Managers in today’s ever-evolving business landscape, we understand the imperative of strategic relationship-building. Strengthen your network, navigate change effectively, and drive business growth. please visit: https://tlsasalestraining.co.uk/leaders-digest/key-account-managers-understand-the-stakeholders/
Creating a marketing communications plan toolsDeborah Spector
A Creative Solutions & Innovations Tool Kit that describes the tools included in Creating a Marketing Communications Plan. Tools include: SWOT & SWOT Interplay, Positioning your NPO, Channels, POST Development Tool and Message Development Box.
Six steps you should follow if you want to become a C-Level ExecutiveJason Hanold
Nowadays young professionals are eager to climb positions in the corporate world, however, by simple mathematics is clear then only few of those will ever become a C-Level Executive. Follow next six steps.
Presentation given at the Digital Workplace Conference in Auckland, New Zealand on May 2nd, 2018 outlining the "secret sauce" in a successful marketing strategy, whether that of an organizational or an individual, and focusing on building a brand.
Presented at the Digital Workplace Conference Australia, held in Melbourne AU on August 15th and 16th, 2018. This presentation outlines the evolution that has happened in marketing, and the components that are necessary for successful brand building and digital marketing.
Session from the Digital Workplace Conference NZ (#DWCNZ), held at the Cordis Hotel in Auckland, New Zealand on April 30th, 2019. Presented by Christian Buckley, Microsoft RD & MVP, and the CEO of CollabTalk LLC, an independent research and technical marketing services company based in Lehi, Utah.
Future Trends in the Modern Data Stack LandscapeCiente
As we embrace the future, staying abreast of emerging technologies will be crucial for organizations seeking to harness the full potential of their data.
Exploring Different Funding and Investment Strategies for SaaS Growth.pdfCiente
In the competitive landscape of SaaS, securing adequate funding and implementing effective investment strategies are essential for driving growth, scalability, and long-term success.
Embracing autonomous testing is no longer merely an option but emerges as a strategic necessity for organizations committed to delivering superior software solutions within the dynamic contours of the contemporary tech landscape.
Securing Solutions Amid The Journey To Digital Transformation.pdfCiente
Innovation thrives on openness and accessibility, and security requires caution and control. Learn to navigate these challenges for successful digital transformation.
CRM Best Practices For Optimal Success In 2024.pdfCiente
CRM in 2024 is much more than just managing contacts. Read along to know how it is impacting businesses today and how to best implement it to achieve great success.
In this blog, we’ll delve into the importance of cybersecurity incident response planning and provide a guide for building a resilient response strategy.
PostHog is an open-source product analytics platform designed to help businesses understand user behavior on their websites or applications.
Read this Article here: https://medium.com/@ciente/what-is-posthog-and-its-pros-and-cons-05d8dff13194
Learn more: https://ciente.io/blog/
Explore more: https://ciente.io/
Top Technology Trends Businesses Should Invest In This Year.pdfCiente
As we enter 2024, it brings to light a platform ready for more innovation and progress.
Read this Article here: https://ciente.io/blogs/top-technology-trends-businesses-should-invest-in-2024/
Learn more: https://ciente.io/blog/
Explore more: https://ciente.io/
In the fast-paced realm of software development, the integration of security measures is paramount to safeguarding applications and data against an ever-expanding landscape of cyber threats.
Exploring the Applications of GenAI in Supply Chain Management.pdfCiente
Stay ahead of the curve with GenAI's capacity to learn, adapt, and generate insights, revolutionizing traditional supply chain processes for enhanced efficiency and innovation.
Benefits of implementing CI & CD for Machine LearningCiente
Implementing CI & CD in Machine Learning is a strategic move toward optimizing development workflows, enhancing collaboration, and accelerating the deployment of robust and reliable ML models
7 Elements for a Successful Hybrid Cloud Migration Strategy.pdfCiente
The world of IT infrastructure is evolving rapidly, and businesses are increasingly turning to hybrid cloud solutions to strike the perfect balance between on-premises and cloud-based environments.
Read this Article here: https://medium.com/@ciente/7-elements-for-a-successful-hybrid-cloud-migration-strategy-0b2a9dfbff85
Learn more: https://ciente.io/blog/
Follow for more Articles here: https://ciente.io/
In this blog post, we will explore what Ethical Technology is, why it is important, the benefits it brings, and its potential role in shaping our future.
Top Social Selling Tools For Your Business In 2024.pdfCiente
Brands tap into Gen-Z’s world by leveraging social media. But it’s the social selling tools that transform this digital engagement into real-world revenue.
Generative AI Deep Dive: Advancing from Proof of Concept to ProductionAggregage
Join Maher Hanafi, VP of Engineering at Betterworks, in this new session where he'll share a practical framework to transform Gen AI prototypes into impactful products! He'll delve into the complexities of data collection and management, model selection and optimization, and ensuring security, scalability, and responsible use.
Enhancing Performance with Globus and the Science DMZGlobus
ESnet has led the way in helping national facilities—and many other institutions in the research community—configure Science DMZs and troubleshoot network issues to maximize data transfer performance. In this talk we will present a summary of approaches and tips for getting the most out of your network infrastructure using Globus Connect Server.
Transcript: Selling digital books in 2024: Insights from industry leaders - T...BookNet Canada
The publishing industry has been selling digital audiobooks and ebooks for over a decade and has found its groove. What’s changed? What has stayed the same? Where do we go from here? Join a group of leading sales peers from across the industry for a conversation about the lessons learned since the popularization of digital books, best practices, digital book supply chain management, and more.
Link to video recording: https://bnctechforum.ca/sessions/selling-digital-books-in-2024-insights-from-industry-leaders/
Presented by BookNet Canada on May 28, 2024, with support from the Department of Canadian Heritage.
The Metaverse and AI: how can decision-makers harness the Metaverse for their...Jen Stirrup
The Metaverse is popularized in science fiction, and now it is becoming closer to being a part of our daily lives through the use of social media and shopping companies. How can businesses survive in a world where Artificial Intelligence is becoming the present as well as the future of technology, and how does the Metaverse fit into business strategy when futurist ideas are developing into reality at accelerated rates? How do we do this when our data isn't up to scratch? How can we move towards success with our data so we are set up for the Metaverse when it arrives?
How can you help your company evolve, adapt, and succeed using Artificial Intelligence and the Metaverse to stay ahead of the competition? What are the potential issues, complications, and benefits that these technologies could bring to us and our organizations? In this session, Jen Stirrup will explain how to start thinking about these technologies as an organisation.
In his public lecture, Christian Timmerer provides insights into the fascinating history of video streaming, starting from its humble beginnings before YouTube to the groundbreaking technologies that now dominate platforms like Netflix and ORF ON. Timmerer also presents provocative contributions of his own that have significantly influenced the industry. He concludes by looking at future challenges and invites the audience to join in a discussion.
Pushing the limits of ePRTC: 100ns holdover for 100 daysAdtran
At WSTS 2024, Alon Stern explored the topic of parametric holdover and explained how recent research findings can be implemented in real-world PNT networks to achieve 100 nanoseconds of accuracy for up to 100 days.
GraphRAG is All You need? LLM & Knowledge GraphGuy Korland
Guy Korland, CEO and Co-founder of FalkorDB, will review two articles on the integration of language models with knowledge graphs.
1. Unifying Large Language Models and Knowledge Graphs: A Roadmap.
https://arxiv.org/abs/2306.08302
2. Microsoft Research's GraphRAG paper and a review paper on various uses of knowledge graphs:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/blog/graphrag-unlocking-llm-discovery-on-narrative-private-data/
Removing Uninteresting Bytes in Software FuzzingAftab Hussain
Imagine a world where software fuzzing, the process of mutating bytes in test seeds to uncover hidden and erroneous program behaviors, becomes faster and more effective. A lot depends on the initial seeds, which can significantly dictate the trajectory of a fuzzing campaign, particularly in terms of how long it takes to uncover interesting behaviour in your code. We introduce DIAR, a technique designed to speedup fuzzing campaigns by pinpointing and eliminating those uninteresting bytes in the seeds. Picture this: instead of wasting valuable resources on meaningless mutations in large, bloated seeds, DIAR removes the unnecessary bytes, streamlining the entire process.
In this work, we equipped AFL, a popular fuzzer, with DIAR and examined two critical Linux libraries -- Libxml's xmllint, a tool for parsing xml documents, and Binutil's readelf, an essential debugging and security analysis command-line tool used to display detailed information about ELF (Executable and Linkable Format). Our preliminary results show that AFL+DIAR does not only discover new paths more quickly but also achieves higher coverage overall. This work thus showcases how starting with lean and optimized seeds can lead to faster, more comprehensive fuzzing campaigns -- and DIAR helps you find such seeds.
- These are slides of the talk given at IEEE International Conference on Software Testing Verification and Validation Workshop, ICSTW 2022.
Alt. GDG Cloud Southlake #33: Boule & Rebala: Effective AppSec in SDLC using ...James Anderson
Effective Application Security in Software Delivery lifecycle using Deployment Firewall and DBOM
The modern software delivery process (or the CI/CD process) includes many tools, distributed teams, open-source code, and cloud platforms. Constant focus on speed to release software to market, along with the traditional slow and manual security checks has caused gaps in continuous security as an important piece in the software supply chain. Today organizations feel more susceptible to external and internal cyber threats due to the vast attack surface in their applications supply chain and the lack of end-to-end governance and risk management.
The software team must secure its software delivery process to avoid vulnerability and security breaches. This needs to be achieved with existing tool chains and without extensive rework of the delivery processes. This talk will present strategies and techniques for providing visibility into the true risk of the existing vulnerabilities, preventing the introduction of security issues in the software, resolving vulnerabilities in production environments quickly, and capturing the deployment bill of materials (DBOM).
Speakers:
Bob Boule
Robert Boule is a technology enthusiast with PASSION for technology and making things work along with a knack for helping others understand how things work. He comes with around 20 years of solution engineering experience in application security, software continuous delivery, and SaaS platforms. He is known for his dynamic presentations in CI/CD and application security integrated in software delivery lifecycle.
Gopinath Rebala
Gopinath Rebala is the CTO of OpsMx, where he has overall responsibility for the machine learning and data processing architectures for Secure Software Delivery. Gopi also has a strong connection with our customers, leading design and architecture for strategic implementations. Gopi is a frequent speaker and well-known leader in continuous delivery and integrating security into software delivery.
zkStudyClub - Reef: Fast Succinct Non-Interactive Zero-Knowledge Regex ProofsAlex Pruden
This paper presents Reef, a system for generating publicly verifiable succinct non-interactive zero-knowledge proofs that a committed document matches or does not match a regular expression. We describe applications such as proving the strength of passwords, the provenance of email despite redactions, the validity of oblivious DNS queries, and the existence of mutations in DNA. Reef supports the Perl Compatible Regular Expression syntax, including wildcards, alternation, ranges, capture groups, Kleene star, negations, and lookarounds. Reef introduces a new type of automata, Skipping Alternating Finite Automata (SAFA), that skips irrelevant parts of a document when producing proofs without undermining soundness, and instantiates SAFA with a lookup argument. Our experimental evaluation confirms that Reef can generate proofs for documents with 32M characters; the proofs are small and cheap to verify (under a second).
Paper: https://eprint.iacr.org/2023/1886
Welcome to the first live UiPath Community Day Dubai! Join us for this unique occasion to meet our local and global UiPath Community and leaders. You will get a full view of the MEA region's automation landscape and the AI Powered automation technology capabilities of UiPath. Also, hosted by our local partners Marc Ellis, you will enjoy a half-day packed with industry insights and automation peers networking.
📕 Curious on our agenda? Wait no more!
10:00 Welcome note - UiPath Community in Dubai
Lovely Sinha, UiPath Community Chapter Leader, UiPath MVPx3, Hyper-automation Consultant, First Abu Dhabi Bank
10:20 A UiPath cross-region MEA overview
Ashraf El Zarka, VP and Managing Director MEA, UiPath
10:35: Customer Success Journey
Deepthi Deepak, Head of Intelligent Automation CoE, First Abu Dhabi Bank
11:15 The UiPath approach to GenAI with our three principles: improve accuracy, supercharge productivity, and automate more
Boris Krumrey, Global VP, Automation Innovation, UiPath
12:15 To discover how Marc Ellis leverages tech-driven solutions in recruitment and managed services.
Brendan Lingam, Director of Sales and Business Development, Marc Ellis
1. The Changing Responsibilities Of The
CIO: Avoiding Common Pitfalls
“A tighter economy means the enterprise needs to realize benefits even faster. Will the enterprise’s
digital initiatives support the kind of tech impact CIOs want?”
Organizations are eager to embrace technological advancements swiftly but encounter a formidable
challenge: the increasingly arduous task of acquiring the essential talent to drive this transformation.
In the current fervent job market, securing professionals for key tech-centric positions, ranging from
visionary Chief Information Officers (CIOs) to proficient developers, has become an uphill battle.
Digital initiatives frequently need more time to avoid delays, primarily due to human and
organizational factors, including siloed behaviors, talent deficiencies, resistance to change, and
conflicting priorities. To overcome these challenges, current technology leaders must keenly tune in
to the signals conveying the preferences and apprehensions of top-level executives. Subsequently,
they should proactively identify a business partner who shares their dedication to an initiative
aligned with the organization’s highest priorities. This collaborative approach ensures smoother
execution and greater success in achieving strategic objectives.
Introduction
Conversations regarding digital transformation currently revolve around five critical areas. In this
blog, we organize these topics into actionable steps that CIOs emphasize as immediate and essential
for the present and near future. These steps lay the foundation for the broader, strategic moves
shaping their approach. As you peer into the end of your organization’s digital journey, use these
insights as litmus tests for your strategy, helping you pinpoint areas that may require closer tactical
examination.
2. In this blog post, we have highlighted five critical areas that are taking center stage to streamline the
most pressing, real-world actions that CIOs emphasize as vital both in the present and in the near
future. These immediate steps lay the groundwork before delving into the broader, strategic
maneuvers that mold their approach. As you peer into the horizon of your tech strategy, consider
using these insights as litmus tests to gauge your approach and pinpoint aspects that warrant more
tactical attention.
Pitfall 1: Communicating Your Personal Brand
Every transition to a fresh organization presents a unique opportunity to showcase your identity and
mold new perspectives of who you are and the value you bring. Over time, these perceptions
amalgamate to form your personal brand. Interestingly, many of the choices a CIO makes during
those early days in a new role are the defining moments that shape this personal brand, whether by
design or accident.
Therefore, it’s imperative to be acutely aware and purposeful in crafting your desired personal brand.
Consider whether your explicit or implicit communications align with or undermine the image you
wish to project. In essence, your brand should be a deliberate and consistent reflection of your
identity, values, and the value you bring to your organization.
Recommendations to Avoid this Pitfall
Understand Top Management Expectations
To dodge this pitfall of misinterpreting your organizational priorities, start by deeply comprehending
what your top management anticipates from the CIO role. This expectation changes widely, from
pushing business transformation to managing costs. You can customize your strategy to align with
the business’s overarching objectives and goals by assessing where the priority lies.
Craft Your Leadership Brand Statement
Your personal brand as a CIO is pivotal in shaping your success. Create a clear and straightforward
leadership brand statement that defines what you want to be known for and what you aim to deliver.
For example, it could be something like, “I desire to be recognized as an innovator (x) so that I can
drive transformative change (y).” This statement will guide your actions and decisions, ensuring they
align with your intended brand.
Identify and Reinforce Desired Behaviors
To avoid projecting an unintended personal brand, create a list of behaviors reinforcing your desired
image. Think about the specific situations where these behaviors are most impactful and make a
conscious effort to practice them consistently. Simultaneously, identify behaviors associated with
your old brand or your previous role. Recognize where stakeholders might still associate you with
these old behaviors and actively avoid replicating them.
3. Pitfall 2: Assessing IT Perception Too Quickly
Almost every organization has a certain level of discontent regarding IT services. The heavy reliance
on technology often frustrates stakeholders if their needs aren’t met promptly. Moreover, the arrival
of a new leader tends to amplify these grievances, as people seize the opportunity to voice their
concerns in the hopes of addressing their issues. This natural tendency to focus on the negatives can
cloud the true perception of IT within the organization.
The pitfall here arises when a new CIO rushes to gauge these perceptions too hastily, relying solely
on initial feedback during the early days of their tenure. Assessing the true state of IT perception
within the organization requires a more nuanced approach that allows for a deeper exploration of
the prevailing sentiments and whether they align with reality. Only then can the CIO accurately
determine which issues demand attention.
Addressing the Pitfall:
Here are some recommended measures to avoid falling into this pitfall and to establish a clearer
understanding of the organization’s IT landscape:
Dive into the Current IT Operating Model
Begin by immersing yourself in the organization’s existing IT operating model. Spend quality time
with your direct reports and team members to comprehend how IT currently operates. Evaluate
whether it aligns with and supports the enterprise’s business model and strategic objectives. This
basic learning is necessary before making any significant assessments or changes.
Recognize Talent and Operational Gaps
Engage in open discussions with your direct reports and team members to identify gaps in talent,
operating methods, and tools. Understand the nature of these gaps, whether they relate to skills,
motivation, or workload capacity. Identifying these areas of improvement is essential for setting the
stage for effective changes and enhancements.
Listen to Stakeholder Feedback
To gain a comprehensive view of IT effectiveness and contribution, seek feedback from a diverse set
of stakeholders, including members of the C-suite. Understand the organization’s mission-critical
priorities and the role that IT plays in achieving them. Compare the feedback received with your
findings from the previous two steps. If necessary, create a plan to address the root causes of any
discrepancies, aligning IT more closely with the organization’s objectives.
4. Pitfall 3: Avoiding Unfavorable Comparisons
Among the pitfalls new CIOs should avoid, one of the simplest yet potentially damaging is the
inclination to let their ego overshadow their effectiveness. This often manifests as self-
aggrandizement, where they boast about their achievements in previous roles or organizations. Such
comparisons can inadvertently lead to explicit criticism of the current situation they have inherited, a
move that can be particularly offensive if their prior experience was in a different country or culture.
During leadership transitions, you are constantly in the spotlight. Whether intentional or
unintentional, every word, action, or comment will be observed, shared, discussed, and dissected.
Moreover, in these early days, you may not be familiar with who was responsible for the aspects you
criticize, nor their network of friends, allies, and agendas. Your new staff may form hasty opinions
about you, and observers may develop a negative perception that can be challenging to reset.
Addressing the Pitfall:
Here are practical measures to avoid falling into the pitfall of making unfavorable comparisons and
ensure a smoother transition into your new role:
Steer Clear of Self-Indulgence
Resist the urge to indulge in frequent boasting about your past accomplishments or how your
previous organization did things better, even if it’s true. Instead of telling people how you did
something, focus on understanding how and why things are done in your new environment. Adopt a
listening-first approach, asking questions and learning from your colleagues and team members.
Prioritize Relationship Building
As your first order of business, establish connections with your direct reports. Recognize that
forming, norming, storming, and performing are phases your inherited team will go through. Foster
close relationships with them and get to know them personally. Your team members should become
staunch allies and the vehicles for realizing your vision and objectives. In turn, they will rely on you as
their advocate and coach.
Empathize and Reflect
Put yourself in the shoes of your predecessor and imagine how you would like people to speak of you
when you’ve moved on and your replacement is navigating the role you once held. This cycle is likely
happening in your previous position concurrently and will recur in future parts. Empathizing with
your predecessor’s journey can help you appreciate the importance of leaving a positive legacy and
how your words and actions can impact your reputation.
5. Pitfall 4: Grasping the Organization’s True Priorities
Navigating the intricate landscape of an organization can be akin to exploring a complex maze.
Priorities may not always be apparent and lurk beneath the surface, waiting to be unveiled.
Organizations frequently grapple with conflicting priorities, where different divisions advocate for
their needs, making it challenging to discern the genuine “top” priorities demanding immediate
attention.
CIOs who hastily assume they know the organization’s priorities risk stumbling into a common pitfall.
They might set a course based on these assumptions, only to discover later that their chosen
direction needs to be corrected or revised. Before embarking on significant, high-visibility initiatives,
investing time in comprehending the organization’s true priorities is paramount. An initial
misjudgment can prove costlier and more conspicuous than similar errors made later in their tenure,
potentially tarnishing their nascent reputation and impeding their effectiveness.
Addressing the Pitfall:
To evade this pitfall and make informed decisions aligned with the organization’s priorities, consider
the following measures:
Pause and Reflect to Gain Time
Even if pressure mounts for immediate action, resist the urge to make decisions hastily. Instead,
maintain the status quo temporarily, allowing yourself a window to listen, learn, and enrich your
insights. Use this time to explore various scenarios and alternatives before taking significant, highly
visible actions. Strive to strike a balance among the inevitable urgent demands you’ll encounter.
Secure Executive Sponsorship
Gaining executive sponsorship for your decisions and priorities is crucial, especially during the
transition period. Seek buy-in from key stakeholders who can champion your initiatives. This support
can differ between a smooth journey and a bumpy, short-lived one.
Practice Empathetic Inquiry
When confronted with urgent matters, engage in careful inquiry and active listening. Show empathy
by acknowledging the urgency and expressing your understanding. For instance, you can say, “I
understand why this is so urgent for you.” Follow up with, “I’m committed to conducting thorough
research, but as I’m new here, I’ll need some time to get up to speed.” If you feel compelled to take
action, present a well-considered analysis with alternative solutions, demonstrating diligence and
care in the face of pressure.
6. Pitfall 5: Grasping Business Capabilities Effectively
In the dynamic landscape of a new role as a CIO, it’s not uncommon to fall into the trap of
prematurely making assumptions about an organization’s capabilities and capacity. Past experiences
may inadvertently tint your perspective, leading to confirmation bias, where you see what you
expect rather than what’s genuinely present.
The wise approach to sidestep this pitfall involves investing more time in gathering concrete evidence
of the existing capabilities and capacity within the organization before succumbing to the temptation
of making quick commitments that may not align with reality. A deep understanding of these
elements can ensure that your early endeavors are executed smoothly and deliver tangible value.
Addressing the Pitfall:
Here are actionable measures to help CIOs avoid the pitfall of misjudging organizational capabilities
and capacity:
Align Initiatives with Capabilities and Capacity
Determine how the organization’s current initiatives must be adapted to meet future objectives.
Collaborate with stakeholders within and outside your department or division to ensure the
organization’s capabilities and capacity align with these goals. Assess whether the organization has a
capacity deficit that can be addressed through external resources or alternative strategies. Consider
factors such as your current budget, company performance, and organizational priorities. These
aspects can serve as additional checks to validate your assumptions before proceeding.
Understand Business Capabilities
Take the time to comprehend the business capabilities necessary to deliver the existing business
model and anticipate future needs. Ensure that the strategic plan for IT is intricately connected to the
broader business strategic plan. This alignment guarantees that your IT initiatives directly support
and enhance the organization’s objectives.
Leverage Experience and Expertise
Draw upon your accumulated experience and training as a CIO to confidently navigate the path
forward. Your background equips you with valuable insights and problem-solving skills that can guide
your decision-making and help you avoid costly missteps.
7. The Final Wrap
The ever-evolving role of a CIO needs constant transformation and adaptation to new strategies and
tactics that are derived from experience and career transitions. These become the most invaluable
tools for any organization, which can be your shield and sword when undergoing a critical failure.
These measures help prevent or overcome while strengthening your organizational core. Mitigating
situational risks is grounded in something other than technical expertise but rather arises from your
mastery of crucial skills: listening, empathizing, and envisioning. Honing these skills would help you
navigate the complexities swiftly and allow you grace and confidence in the long run.
About Ciente ?
With Ciente, business leaders stay abreast of tech news and market insights that help them level up
now,
Technology spending is increasing, but so is buyer’s remorse. We are here to change that. Founded on
truth, accuracy, and tech prowess, Ciente is your go-to periodical for effective decision-making.
Our comprehensive editorial coverage, market analysis, and tech insights empower you to make
smarter decisions to fuel growth and innovation across your enterprise.
Let us help you navigate the rapidly evolving world of technology and turn it to your advantage.
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