Why CIO's Need to Change Their Role

Last night I got to have dinner with a group of 20 CIO’s. My role was to help bring the CEO perspective to them on what they do and how they do it.

I based my CEO perspective on several inputs: my own experience dealing with IT departments; input from CEO’s, CIO’s and Consultants on the Boardroom Metrics team; and, scanning some easily accessible press to see what other CEO’s are saying.

Going-in, my theme was this – there’s a reason so many CIO’s report to the CFO – CIO’s aren’t helping the CEO with his/her priorities. Writing applications and protecting the Company jewels is important grunt work. But it’s just grunt work. And it won’t get you to the Boardroom table.

Sadly, what I heard last night reinforced the theme. It’s not what I was hoping for.

Somehow, too many CIO’s have become content being relegated to cost-center, execution-leader status. They fail to see how what they do can be important strategically. Furthermore, they see the tactical issues they face as being somehow unique – that the execution details in IT somehow make them different from what every other department in the Company has to face.

My suggestion: WAKE.UP!

First, every department faces execution hurdles – overcoming them is simply part of the job. Get over it.

Second, the reason other departments like Marketing and Sales so easily access the CEO’s share of mind is because they’re working on what the CEO cares about – building the business and making money.

Third, the IT group could also easily be at the table if they 1) learn the business and 2) start applying what they know (IT stuff) to what the CEO cares about.

IT groups have the potential to create more corporate efficiency than any other function in the Company. They have the potential to bring the Company closer to the Customer than any other function in the Company – including sales and marketing. And IT is the only corporate function with the tools necessary to bury internal silos forever – increasing collaboration, effectiveness – and results!

There was some great discussion last night on how CIO’s and IT got to where they at. And not at.

Someone commented that the worst mistake that’s been made is defining internal groups as ‘the customer’ and accepting the role of ‘supplier’ – including signing up for internal service level agreements and other bits of structure that keep the IT group fully at bay from the rest of the organization.

I’m not sure if that’s true - but it sounds logical and dangerous.

In terms of changing and working closer with the CEO, there is a common theme that everyone seems to buy off on: CIO’s need to LEARN THE BUSINESS.

Understanding the business is critical if CIO’s are going to help the CEO and the Company achieve their priorities.

However, that won’t happen until a fundamental mind set shift occurs. CIO’s can no longer be content in their role as suppliers, followers and executers.  

What CEO’s are looking for is corporate leaders.

Impact99 - Igniting a Social Workplace

In 2012 I've attended two HR conferences. They couldn't have been more different.

The 2nd Annual Talent Management Development Conference in July was classic HR. All HIPO's, Blackberries and handwritten notes. A place where an HR leader could openly admit that her company 'racks, stacks and chops' it's employees - and not find herself trending on Twitter.

The only racking and stacking going on at yesterday's Impact99 was the clever ways that participants tweets were being broadcast and highlighted during the session. Participants so engaged they drove #impact99 to the number three trending spot on Twitter during the morning session.

If there was any overlap between the people that each conference attracted it wasn't very obvious. However, the presence of Telus, TD Canada Trust and several other large, well known Canadian companies yesterday suggests that some large organizations ARE addressing HR issues in some very forward thinking ways.

Here are some of my take-aways from yesterday:

1. there was a refreshing focus on how, not what. It all felt a bit Gary Vaynerchuckish (in his most recent evolvement) - little talk any more about what is social media and whether it matters - and serious discussion about how to manage and implement it for maximum results.

2. the presentations by both Telus and TD were eye-opening. First, it's always great to see 'young' corporate leaders who are articulate, passionate (a green dress!), and successful. But hearing that these two large organizations (TD now has 85,500 employees) have implemented essentially open, un-moderated access to social media tools that have driven their employee engagement levels out of the ballpark suggests the kinds of companies I'm glad I'm doing business with. Their message: by integrating social media into the workplace, not on top of it, social media has unleashed much of what is human in organizations - the desires to collaborate, question, learn, teach, help, support, etc.

3. collaboration and agility are key pain points that social media is addressing in organizations. For years now, business has been moving at light speed and CEO's have been lamenting the drag of organizational silo's and the futility of planning for anything beyond tomorrow. Now, it turns out that social media is a key weapon in the fight to destroy silos - and connected organizations get all the insight they need to make on-the-fly tweaks to operating direction and priorities.

4. as someone tweeted yesterday, there was gold in getting a panel of CEO's reactions to some current social media vendors and thought leaders talking about what they see. The CEO reactions ranged from 'that's nice, but how?' through 'you have my attention, I want to hear more'.  What go their attention? How to stop wasting money on training, and the massive importance of mobile (more people in the world have access to mobile than they do to running water!). And, if it hasn't already, it sounds like 'gamification' is about to take over from 'social media' as the most hotly contested 'new thing' in organizations.

No question, Impact99 speaks to the converted. For those who already believe or are already there, it was a great rah!, rah! event and massive dose of encouragement to keep on keeping on.

However - and there's absolutely nothing wrong with this - Impact99 doesn't represent reality in terms of most businesses, CEO's, and management consultants today. Many, if not most that I know still haven't put much/any consideration into the role that social media could and will play in cementing culture and competitive advantage in their organizations - and in their competitors.

As Courtney Shelton Hunt pointed out in her closing keynote, not being right there on social media doesn't mean going out of business tomorrow. And she's right. It doesn't.

But wow, when you see what the Telus' and TD's are doing, you have to think they are building themselves a substantial competitive advantage.  You get a strong sense that those still questioning social media and wondering what a twitter is had better wake up soon or risk being left WAY behind (it took Telus three years to get where they are now) in their quest for employees, customers - and perhaps/likely even their next job.

Congratulations to the organizers of yesterday's event. Christine Mcleod and Pam Ross are passionate, intelligent, forward thinking and connected. They did a great job and staged a truly interactive, entertaining and thought-provoking event.

Please, Tim Cook Wake Up Now

A few years ago my daughter's new Mac arrived home with an original iTouch. After an hour of loading apps and using the touch screen I knew that RIM was in trouble.

The fact that I haven't loaded iOS 6 on my iPhone yet (it's just a Maps app! after all) doesn't have quite the same sickening feeling of that night way back when, but it's close.

Like most people I just want my phone, computer, tablet to work. I'm not a technology person - I'm a user. The kind of person that was foreign to RIM several years ago. And, thanks to both RIM and Microsoft, I hate updates.

Updates screw things up, change settings, mess with reading lists, lose contacts, etc.

So. I've hesitated. And I've hesitated more subconsciously than consciously - it's some kind of RIMDOWS hangover. It's both interesting and troubling. Based on my experiences until now I never expected to think of Apple in the same light as those other, over-the-hill providers.

Unfortunately, my daughter didn't hesitate. She loaded the new Mountain Lion update on her Macbook Pro a couple of night ago. AND IT'S NEVER RESTARTED.

Clever me. I sent her to Google and the Apple website for fixes and insight. There are lots. She's not the only person this has happened to. Nothing helped.

But, HERE'S THE REAL SCREW UP. She took her Macbook Pro to the Apple Store the next day for some real help. Like many people (most? the world?) she needs her laptop for work.

And they told her to go away. How dare she just show up like that?! She didn't have an appointment.

In fact, they let her know pretty clearly that she was fairly nutzo for even thinking that she could just walk in and have someone take a look at her computer like that.Wow. Another. Dumb. Customer!

So she left. Helpless and angry. The clerk - is that what they call them at Apple Stores? - shrugged.

Which is the scary intersection with the other over-the-hill computer companies from the past. BEING BETTER AND SMARTER THAN THE CUSTOMER NEVER WORKS! It didn't work for RIM and won't work long for Apple.

The we-can-do-no-wrong attitude is what leads to risky, untested updates, failed apps, lousy service and weak apologies. Unchecked, it spells doom.

So. Tim Cook. Please wake up now. Whether you see it yet or not, Apple is in trouble.

New from Boardroom Metrics - Business Expert Directory

Boardroom Metrics has launched a new web service called ExpertBusinessResources.com.

ExpertBusinessResources.com is a web directory where consultants, coaches, trainers, speakers and executive job seekers can profile the services they provide and link searchers to their website and other social media.

The mission of ExpertBusinessResources.com is to help independent practitioners and others increase their on-line visibility.

A strong directory listing is a great way to be found by someone looking for a particular service or expertise. 

Also, the links that can be created from a directory like ExpertBusinessResources.com are important inputs that Google and other search engines use to increase the visibility of a company's website.

Searchers on ExpertBusinessResources.com can sort for business experts by keyword, geography and specialty, for example ‘Leadership Coach Chicago’. They can also see what else you are doing on-line, including websites, other social media like LinkedIn, Twitter and others. Using the contact information and on-line forms provided, potential clients can contact you directly by email and phone.

A listing on ExpertBusinessResources.com complements – and strengthens - whatever you are doing on-line already – even if all you are doing is LinkedIn.

If all you are doing is LinkedIn, then ExpertBusinessResources.com provides another search engine optimized outlet for your information to appear. You can even have your profile highlighted and promoted for better visibility. ExpertBusinessResources.com provides different levels of on-line visibility depending on the package. Packages range from free to $29/month.

For those who already have a strong on-line presence – and want to make it even stronger, then the links and added visibility that ExpertBusinessResources.com creates will be highly appreciated.

More information is available by visiting the ExpertBusinessResources.com website.

The site is still in Beta and any/all feedback is welcome and appreciated.

Early adopters who join ExpertBusinessResources.com in the month of September 2012 receive access to the Associate level package free for a year. 

Executive Transition Boardroom Metrics TV

Here's an except from a Daytime tv interview done a few weeks ago here in Toronto. It's all about the challenges of executive transition out of the corporation and the Boardroom Metrics value prop. Key messages:

• execs in transition lose their mojo fast
• everybody wants to be a change agent and strategic leader so find something different
• Boardroom Metrics provides a 'safe' platform to learn and go public

Younger. Today.

It 's 9:00pm. Florida time. Tried looking for the Leafs game. Leafs game? New coach? Found a high school game. Not watching them either.

It's 80 degrees. Heat lightning. Outdoors. By the pool. Just like Toronto during the the last week of July.

Global warming will be good for Toronto. It already has been. What a winter! Average temp has been what? +2?! That's pretty cool. In a too warm kind of way.

I'm reading a book called 'Younger Next Year'. For the second time. We all have our inspirations. This book was mine. Basic premise is simple: we're either thriving or decaying. Thriving equals hunting, learning and doing. Decaying equals winter. Hibernation. Toronto from October to April. Eating, sleeping and watching TV.

I've been here 3 days. Haven't seen TV yet. Maybe they don't have it this far south? But I've kayaked, cycled, swam, cycled, swam. Golfing tomorrow at 8.

It's spring break. That's fun! On the beach today with college kids from Ohio. Toronto south. Except for the Univerity of Miami hard-0n. Just jealous I guess. I am. Where do U of M kids go for Spring Break? Key West? South America? Toronto?

I love Toronto. Seriously. But seriously - this is better. A friend of mine's mom comes here every winter. From Toronto. What everybody's noticed this year is that her mom is inspiringly younger than she's ever been. I can tell it's unnerving. In a very cool kind of way.

This is my third time here this winter. Aside from the tan and lack of bags under my eyes it's probably difficult to tell I'm thriving. But I am.

It's 9:00pm. Florida time.

Podcamp Toronto Day 1 Thoughts #pcto2012

Observations from Day 1 of Podcamp 2012 in Toronto:

1. The enthusiasm level is down from 2 years ago, the last time I attended. The crowd seemed smaller, the buzz more muted.

2. Social media has become corporate media. This was all business. From presenters pitching their wares to audiences seeking the next big thing.

3. The next big thing is Facebook. Three out of five presenters mentioned that one in seven people IN THE WORLD is on Facebook - repeating a theme my buddy John started talking about too many years ago - anyone who doesn't think Facebook is for business is crazy.

4. The next new thing is Pinterest. For now.  Everyone was talking about it. What I learned. In North America at least, it's for women and images - so magazines love it. One brave and creative soul did talk about pinning his resume.

5. Apple is the technology of Podcamp. iPhones and iPads. Paper was also surprisingly prevalent.

6. New term from yesterday: 'profersonal'. The mix of personal and professional on social media.

7. Most intriguing story from yesterday - the use of Facebook by the Hard Rock Cafe in Florence Italy. Contest to draw prospective staff from all over Europe. Free meal coupons for everyone who applied. Self-booking interview slots using Event-Brite. Arranging accommodation, and self-scheduling all on Facebook.

8.  Another sign of the trouble BB is in. An app developer from Cleveland talking about having to go to eBay to find a BB so she could develop an app for a client. Her advice to other developers. Don't bother. 

9. And a special call-out for the two young dudes who lead the session on not giving the same presentation. You guys asked for this. And you know it. You sucked. Being young and smart doesn't mean you know what you're talking about. It's even worse when you call people out by name and generally put down the rest of the people in your space. Your schtick was funny for five minutes - then your presentation wasn't any different from any other presentation (hey, nice use of Powerpoint!) - and it really came crashing to earth when you gave all the same answers that everyone else has. You might want to think about your ROI and how-to-measure-social-media answer. It was disappointingly irrelevant ("talk to my friend"?!?). Suggestion - you seem like nice, smart guys. Stop partying, get off of Facebook and go explore social media.

10. Bottom line. There was tons of great stuff yesterday but I came away feeling that the un-conference idea - and the corprification of Social Media is taking it's toll on PodCamp. Un-conferencing hurts because it opens the doors to anyone with a presentation. Corprification hurts because those attending, or thinking of attending are all thinking in terms of ROI. There's a conflict there.



Podcamp is on today too.