Menu
CIOs should coach CEOs on tech topics: Gartner

CIOs should coach CEOs on tech topics: Gartner

And be proactive in becoming go-to person for digital ideas

CIOs are in a unique position to coach their CEOs on the skills they want to learn, says Gartner distinguished analyst Kristian Steenstrup.

Gartner's 2016 CEO Survey found that business heads felt they "must possess" a number of skills - including digital, innovation, agility and trend analysis - and were eager to "personally develop" them.

Most of these priority skills played into the hands of CIOs, Steenstrup said, giving IT chiefs a perfect opportunity to step in and assist.

"CIOs are uniquely qualified to assist their CEOs here, to help them along, to be the person in their ear, to help them learn about technology," he told CIOs at the Gartner Symposium on the Gold Coast yesterday.

"You are very good at technology. You're good at innovation and looking at trends and foresight. They're the things that you've learned over the years and you're well placed to contribute."

Go-to-CIO

However, CIOs were not the go-to-source when CEOs sought digital and IT-related business ideas. The global survey of 396 CEOs and senior business executives found that the majority (43 per cent) found these ideas in publications and reports, 36 per cent from industry contacts and 35 per cent found these ideas on the internet.

Only 3 per cent consulted their CIO for digital and IT ideas, indicating CIOs should be much more proactive, Steenstrup said.

"There's a missing gap there. We need CIOs stepping up and saying 'yep I'm ready, let's have a conversation about it'," he added.

George Nott travelled to Gartner Symposium as a guest of Gartner.

Join the CIO Australia group on LinkedIn. The group is open to CIOs, IT Directors, COOs, CTOs and senior IT managers.

Join the newsletter!

Or

Sign up to gain exclusive access to email subscriptions, event invitations, competitions, giveaways, and much more.

Membership is free, and your security and privacy remain protected. View our privacy policy before signing up.

Error: Please check your email address.

Tags GartnerCEOsymposium

More about Gartner

Show Comments
[]