9781118867129

Learn the unique leadership strategies of the effective, essential CIO

Beyond the Cloud provides a blueprint for leadership in an era of high volatility, rapid transformation, and amazing growth. An effective CIO is essential to the successful navigation of turbulent and uncertain times, and this insightful guide gives you the actionable framework you need to execute the leadership strategies that work. Focused on the major factors that are critical to modern global enterprise, this book delves into communication, collaboration, relationships, technology, innovation, talent management, and more to provide well-rounded guidance toward principled leadership. Simple, straightforward language explains the basics of each area, and is expanded upon by real-world stories and revealing anecdotes gathered from the author's exclusive interviews with visionary thought leaders from major organizations worldwide. You get perspective from the top on established and emerging leadership strategies, helping you put these ideas to work right away.

CIOs are perfectly positioned to provide the leadership required to stay ahead of the competition in complex, rapidly shifting markets. They break down walls, align resources, and facilitate collaboration to drive business value and spur growth amidst an atmosphere of hyper-competition. This guide is your practical handbook for becoming the leader that you need to be.

Establish trust and cooperation across the enterprise
Recruit and retain the top talent in your field
Leverage new technology for continuous business growth
Inspire loyalty and optimal performance from everyone on the team

The CIO has never been more crucial to the enterprise than right now. With clear guidance toward the unique leadership skills the role requires, Beyond the Cloud is the foundational executive guide for transformational leaders in the new business era.

HUNTER MULLER is President and Chief Executive Officer of HMG Strategy, LLC, a global IT strategy consulting firm. Muller's ideas and programs have been adopted by corporations worldwide and have proven to enhance executive performance, improve collaboration, elevate the role of IT, and align enterprise strategy across the topmost levels of management.

Foreword xi

Acknowledgments xiii

Preface xv

Chapter 1 The New Normal 1

Executive Summary 1

The Best CIOs Know that Results Trump Technology 4

Leadership Excellence Is a Critical Competitive Advantage 5

The Big Shift Is Vital in a Customer-Centric Global Economy 6

The Big Shift Is a Total Game Changer 8

7 Action Steps for CIOs Who Are Ready for the Big Shift 10

Rapidly Changing Technology Plays Directly to CIOs’ Strengths 12

The Big Shift Embraces and Accepts the Realities of Customer-Centric IT 14

CIO Focus Shifts from Creating Internal Productivity to Driving External Value 15

Competitive Success Is Linked to Collaboration and Innovation 17

Shifting Consumer Demands Require CIOs to Adjust to the Experience Economy 19

Shifting Consumer Economy Raises the Bar for CIOs 21

Case Closed: IT Still Matters 23

Notes 24

Chapter 2 The CIO and the C-Suite 27

Executive Summary 27

Speaking the Language of Business Is Essential for Exceptional CIOs and IT Leaders 31

Leverage the Power of Great Habits to Drive Relationships across the C-Suite 33

Maintain Relevancy and Set the Agenda 35

Team Leaders Are Not Lone Heroes 37

Leaders Need “Triple Package” of Critical Traits 39

In Changing Times, Innovative Leadership Is a Critical Asset 41

Are You Proactive or Reactive? 43

Leaders Build Trust, across the C-Suite and within 45

Preparing for the Future of IT Includes Waging the War for Talent 46

Find the Best People—You’ll Need Them as IT Expands Its Role 48

Achieving the Right Mix of Talent and Technical Abilities 50

Why I’m Genuinely Optimistic about the Future of IT 52

Notes 54

Chapter 3 Innovation 55

Executive Summary 55

Great CIOs Leverage Innovation to Create New Products and Drive Real Growth for the Business 59

CIOs Are Essential for Enabling Innovation 61

CIOs Are Evolving from Tactical Support to Strategic Leadership 63

Leaders Create Tangible Value for the Modern Enterprise 65

Bringing the Consumer Service Experience into the Modern Global Enterprise 67

Leaders Leverage the Interplay between Consumer and Business Technologies 69

CIO Leadership Must Move beyond the Boundaries of Traditional IT 71

Great CIOs Learn the Business’s Needs and Use IT to Drive Success across the Enterprise 73

Chapter 4 Exceptional Leadership 77

Executive Summary 77

Great CIOs Leverage Trust and Deep Knowledge to Provide Real Business Value in Rapidly Changing Times 81

Great CIOs and IT Vendors Work Together on Long-Term Strategy 83

Keep IT Relevant to the Business in Modern Dynamic Markets 85

Use Best Practices for Building Bridges across the C-Suite 87

Will CIOs Experience Similar Career Trajectories as CFOs? 90

When Building Tighter Relationships with the C-Suite, Location Matters 93

Delivering Real Business Value from Technology Investments 95

Transforming Vendor Relationships from Transactional to Strategic 97

In EMEA, Demand Rises for Two Types of CIOs 100

Forecast: Trends Point to Growth for Visionary CIOs and IT Leaders 102

Note 104

Chapter 5 How Much, How Fast? 105

Executive Summary 105

Create a Smart Process for Engaging Successfully with SaaS Providers 109

Great CIOs Know When They Have Hit the Limits of IT Outsourcing 111

Building Trust in the Enterprise Requires Focus, Energy, and Great Leadership 113

Use the CenterPoint to Maintain Alignment, Adapt to Change, and Sustain Execution 116

Build Deep Foundations of Trust with Simple Contracts 118

True Leaders Embrace the Challenge and Accept the Risk 119

Notes 121

Chapter 6 Security, Big Data, and the Internet of Things 123

Executive Summary 123

You Can’t Build a Wall High Enough to Keep out the Bad Guys 127

Leveraging Data across the Enterprise 128

The New Water Cooler for Better Decisions 131

As Markets Evolve, IT Focus Shifts to Business Results 137

Hadoop and the Enterprise Data Warehouse 139

Great CIOs Perceive the Opportunities and Benefits of Consumer IT in the Enterprise 141

Connected Devices Are Smarter and Smaller 143

Transforming IT Is a Critical Step in Building Strong Relationships with the Business 145

Create a Process and a Platform for Change and Innovation in the Modern Enterprise 147

Worried about UI versus UX? Focus Instead on Delivering Great CX 149

Will IT Build the New Front End for the Customer-Centric Enterprise? 151

Smart Companies Leverage Innovation to Drive Value into the Business 153

Great Firms Leverage the Skill and Expertise of Their CIOs Before Leaping into Newer Technologies 154

Getting Serious about Cybersecurity 156

Hunting on the Network: Q&A with Cybersecurity Expert Shawn Henry of CrowdStrike 158

Dealing with Cyber Crime Requires a Realistic Mindset 166

Focusing on Future Trends 173

Five Key Trends that Are Fundamentally Transforming IT Leadership 177

Notes 179

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The Big Shift in It Leadership: How Great Cios Leverage the Power of Technology for Strategic Business Growth in the Customer-centric Economy

The Big Shift in It Leadership: How Great Cios Leverage the Power of Technology for Strategic Business Growth in the Customer-centric Economy

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