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Cloud Computing: Adoption as Rorschach — Perspectives on the CIO Psyche
How a CIO reacts to and engages with Cloud Computing can be interpreted as a sort of Rorschach test for the CIO psyche. A report by CA Technologies found that CIOs that adopt cloud computing tend to be more ambitious than their peers that have not adopted the cloud. 93 percent of CIOs who have adopted cloud computing say that they view their current position as a stepping-stone into higher management roles, while only 30 percent of CIOs not pursuing cloud computing have the same perspective about their position. Specifically, 46 percent of the cloud-adopting CIOs say they have their sights on the CEO position, compared to only 13 percent of the non-cloud adopting CIOs.
Bill McMurray, Managing Director at CA Technologies Australia and New Zealand, said that “There’s no doubt that cloud computing is revolutionizing business particularly in these strained economic times. But it’s also breeding a new type of technology leader – one who understands that by using the cloud to innovate, increase speed to market and reduce costs in providing strategic business services, he or she will be in a position to make a significant impact on the business and potentially be positioned to lead it… This research finds that cloud computing is positively impacting the ambition of today’s CIO and giving rise to a new breed of business savvy technology leaders. To ignore this trend or what these leaders could bring to the leadership of an organization may well hinder business competitiveness and growth.”
The perspective of what the CIO role is and who best can handle that role is changing. A survey by Gartner in 2008 found that CIOs are increasingly taking on non-technology responsibilities that include strategic planning, operations and shared services. More than a quarter of CIOs have arrived at their position from a path other than one of IT.
Cross-overs from CIO to CEO have happened numerous times in the past. Jim Barksdale, for example, was the CIO at FedEx and then moved on to become CEO of McCaw Cellular and then CEO at Netscape. Bob Crandall was CIO at American Airlines and eventually took over the CEO position. New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg started out his career as head of IT at investment company Salomon Brothers.
Martin Retschko, National Practice Directorat Hudson ICT, said that “The role of the CIO is no longer purely about technology. In Australia, we are seeing that this position is evolving from the traditionally technical role of a CIO to one that is more strategic and business focused. CIOs that show an understanding of, and commitment to developing the business, are much more likely to evolve beyond their traditional role.”
Cathy Holly, partner at Boyden UK, said that “The demands on CIOs are exactly similar to what is required as a CEO. Boards think it is unusual to promote a CIO to CEO but it shouldn’t be. CIOs are the only ones with a helicopter view of the business and they have a great deal of operational experience of the business.”
