2012-11-16 12:24:50 -

Chief Information Officers (CIOs) should instill business knowledge and credibility within their departments for a Business Technology (BT) approach to be successful, according to Steven Peltzman, Chief Business Technology Officer, Forrester Research. In this way, business solutions can be led by Information Technology (IT) rather than simply supplied. Companies must think "digital first" to succeed, and only companies with the right technology strategy and leadership can succeed in a digital first world.

A speaker at the upcoming marcus evans CIO Summit 2012, in Atlanta, Georgia, December 3-4, Peltzman talks about how having the right focus can bring about a strategic difference and result in an innovative environment.

How can CIOs successfully move from an IT to a BT thought process?

IT departments

need to change their culture to become more proactive and influence the business to form new ideas rather than just wait for requirements. It may sound like an empty gesture, but changing the name from IT to BT sends a signal to the team and to the company that they are a part of the business, so everyone begins to think differently.

The change comes about by infusing business knowledge and therefore credibility within the BT department. Key business people who understand technology should be put in place and if possible, a BT strategy group to be formed to help determine what to do, to complement the usual "how to do it" technology teams.

What should they consider to create a strategic advantage?

Focus is the way of differentiating the company and creating a strategic advantage. CIOs need to identify the technologies that are not core to what the company does and let someone else do them. For example, running emails internally on a day-to-day basis takes up time and effort, whereas putting them in the cloud saves valuable focus and resources which can then be targeted on innovation of real products.

A risk accepting culture can be created so that innovation can have the environment it needs to be stimulated. People who can imagine the future and take bold steps will bring about an innovative advantage.

Partnering with the business makes the department a part of it and re-invents the division by making it the place to seek advice, rather than to just give requirements.

What should CIOs keep in mind for the future?

They need to recognize that their value proposition is changing from individuals who can merely make technology run reliably towards leaders who can drive business in their companies. CIOs will help form the business strategies as they will become one with technology strategies, so they should be prepared to lead.

About the CIO Summit 2012

This unique forum will take place at the Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia, December 3-4, 2012. Offering much more than any conference, exhibition or trade show, this exclusive meeting will bring together esteemed industry thought leaders and solution providers to a highly focused and interactive networking event. The Summit includes presentations on the culture of innovation, information technology to business technology and a practical guide to cloud adoption. For more information please send an email to info@marcusevanscy.com or visit the event website at www.cio-summit.com/StevenPeltzmanInterview.

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marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world's leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, think tanks, seminars and one-on-one business meetings. For more information, please visit www.marcusevans.com.

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