The Evolving Role of a Modern CIO | Sadin on Digital

Episode 46 | The Profile of the Modern CIO


The Big Themes:


Co-creation and business relationships: The relationship
between an IT function and a non-IT organization has to build on
a foundation of co-creation; IT functions must engage with the
business.

CIOs are a part of the business: Gone are the days when the
role of a CIO was to simply "support the business." The modern
CIO is now part of the business and must build parallel
connections across all business functions. "We engage at the
bottom and we engage at the top," says Wayne.

The mindset of the modern CIO: Wayne says he looks for two
things in a CIO: ability to listen and curiosity. With the change
in the tech landscape and business world, CIOs must not miss an
opportunity to learn. Similarly, "if IT folks are talking about
technology, versus listening for the business problems, the
business opportunities, we're not getting the full value from
IT."



The Big Quote: "If the CIO cannot sit on the earnings call and
explain the earnings to an analyst, if they can't go on a sales
call and help the sales department close the deal, if they don't
know how we make our money, if they don't know how we sell, and
bill, and create and deliver and support, then the modern CIO is
disconnected. And that doesn't work. You've got to be in the
business. And I've got to be able to serve as a proxy for any
other business executive, just like I'd like them to be able to
serve as my proxy."


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