The digital transformation is going to eat non-transformational CIOs for dinner. That is about 80% of today’s CIOs (yes, really). Business objectives aren’t necessarily new (cost cutting, scale, new rev stream and retain talent) but how these objectives are achieved will be. And quite frankly, the traditional CIO needs to step up to the plate by embracing emerging technologies and defining the new role their IT team will play.

Transformational success is being seen where there is a cultural shift towards an understanding of the client and applying that knowledge back to the business as the technology roadmap evolves. Yet, I am disappointed over and over again as I engage with CIOs because they don’t understand their clients objectives or the needs within other business units in their own organization. They maintain focus on;

• infrastructure rather than end-user experience,
• risk adversement rather than adapting with speed and flexibility
• staff comfort and expertise versus pursuing transformational technologies
• technical talent rather than collaborative cross-functional talent
• BIG manufacturers rather than timely applications

The C Suite does not care what is behind the “IT curtain” and there will continue to be a stronger and louder push for a flat or decreasing budget for IT with better results. The digital transformation is kicking down the traditional IT door and the traditional CIO has got to up their game or pitch it to someone who can.