CIOs have little choice but to change with the times

Employees today - especially those in ICT companies - want to form part of the idea of the business they work for. Management structures have had to adapt to a growing international trend which suggests the idea behind a company, its image and application, is what really counts.

It works along the same principles of buying into a lifestyle, but instead of merely reflecting the image, actually living it, claims Robert Sussman, joint MD of Integr8 IT.

Addressing delegates at a recent conference entitled 'The New Role and Strategy of the Contemporary ICT Executive', hosted by the University of Pretoria and the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), Sussman declared that a change in the dynamics of a business, as it experiences growth, has carved out a new profile for CIOs or equivalent positions.

"The expected deliverable from the CIO means that technical ability alone can no longer suffice. Today's CIO needs the acumen of business skills combined with a highly-professional and experienced approach to information technology," he said.

According to the joint MD of Integr8 IT, South Africa's largest privately-owned, fully-empowered network and infrastructure management company, modern organisations are now positioning the CIO further up the corporate ladder (and on a path to more focused responsibility) than has been the case in the past.

"The IT function in modern business organograms no longer refers to the financial head or CFO, but leads its own direct business unit and works alongside finance. The majority of time is now spent on strategic IT-related functions, leaving behind the previous reactive support issues that used to be the pivotal focus of the CIO," says Sussman.

In reference to his example of employees investing in the corporate image and concept, Sussman adds that the field of the information and communication technology sector is uncompromising when it comes to follow-through and delivery.

"Yes, the CIO and staff should share a common vision as far as the growth of the company is concerned. Technology and infrastructure should form part of the aims and long-term strategy, but the vision should be upheld through activity. It is simply not enough to consider the image and influence a company or business has. In ICT, there must be delivery - there is no other option," says Sussman.

"In the communications and network infrastructure sector, there is special emphasis on key service-focused elements, such as managed service delivery models, software as a service, outsourcing and much more. The CIO is really at the helm of what occurs at the front-end of the service-to-market spectrum. He or she no longer has the time to spend on back-end administration, reactive call response and operation."

Sussman continues to spearhead the growth and expansion of Integr8 IT into domestic and international markets. The company has received acclaim for its expanding, recognised Microsoft Certified competencies, as well as recognition as one of South Africa's top performing companies for sustained excellence in corporate performance.