Chefbüro, Germany: Cognizant’s ‎Head Of Consulting in the UK Says CIOs Need to Redefine Themselves as Digital Leaders

“CIOs need to lead the change for companies to go from merely ‘doing’ digital to ‘being’ digital to enable new business models, improve operational agility, develop innovative products and services, and deliver a more personalized and engaging customer experience,” says Phil Dunmore. Excerpts:

“We see true IT leaders poised to be the next CEOs, moving away from simply being the ‘Chief Problem Fixing Officer’. Now is the time for CIOs to take the leap — to fully commit to a new way of thinking and truly transform themselves to be digital in the new age of business.

A new study reveals that European CIOs must move out of a “cost center” or “chief problem-fixer” role and into a strategic leadership position in an organization to maintain competitive advantage as the digital wave continues to sweep the world. 

The report outlines that, for truly digital companies, the digital experience does not stop at the customer touchpoint, but is reflected in everything the business does, from operations through to the culture itself.

The survey found that European CIOs are up for this digital challenge. However, currently only one-third of respondents are involved with leading digital transformation at their organizations.

CIOs need to redefine themselves as digital leaders, with 73% of CIOs believing they must act as digital strategists and transformational leaders (74%) and two-thirds agreed that digital success requires them to take a hands-on approach to translating the vast possibilities into tangible business results.

CIOs need to nurture strong partnerships within the organization, advising and serving as a key influencers or “center of excellence” for all things digital.”

Click here to read the article in German.