Norman Broadbent has run a series of breakfasts addressing the journey CIO’s must take to reach non-executive status. This article shares some key reflections that have emerged at these events over the years.
Why do boards hire CIO’s? The history of the changing role of technology in business is well documented and one that we all know. Academic publications were grappling with the theme as early as the 70’s and 80’s and major newspapers including The Wall Street Journal and The Financial Times frequently call on Board’s today, to embrace the centrality of technology in the future of business. However, like the salesman in Franz Kafka’s novella The Metamorphosis, many companies seem to be, just now, waking up to find themselves changed, often stumbling and tumbling around as they adjust to their new technological skin. Or worse, are watching this transformation take place all around them, whilst clinging to the tried and true of yesterday. Over the last decade or so, CIO’s have established themselves as accepted members of the executive team, but there is still a distinct lack of non-executive representation for technologists, despite the fact that executive CIO’s are now so commonly invited by boards to discuss the challenges they face. Indeed one of the most common anecdotes I have heard on this subject involves the CIO being asked, the day before presenting to the board, “what should we be asking you about tomorrow?”.
