Aligning the Goals of CEOs and CIOs
7/1/2010 at 9:27 am by
It takes 15-20 minutes for your stomach to tell your brain that it’s full. CEOs should be careful not to let that type of lag time in communication occur between the business side of their company and the information technology department.
Aligning the goals of IT with those of the general company can be extremely beneficial to a business – especially during an ERP implementation project. CEOs, who may be feeling resistant about taking on an ERP update because of concerns over losing data stored on the old system and worries of rebuilding customization, might have their fears assuaged after talking about the project with an engaged and motivated CIO.
CEOs and CIOs ultimately need to work together not only to understand the needs of each, but to keep everyone else in the company excited. In a recent interview with Kim Nash of ComputerWorld, Craig Smith, the CEO of Owens & Minor, explained that his main goal was to let his employees know what a big difference technology and software can make for a company.
Speaking of his CIO, Smith said, “Rick and I have conversations on a regular basis about what we’re doing for our customers, what we’re doing for the field. What impact new things have on how fast the system works and how fast someone can get an answer. That’s absolutely critical for me.”
Managers of different departments working together and understanding each other isn’t just good for ERP implementation – it’s good for general business. Because of a successful ERP project, Smith’s company saved $100 million.





