Categories
Career Advancement Self Improvement

How Tech Leaders’ Roles Have Evolved Over Time

The saying “out with the old, in with the new” resonates with every evolution. The world of technology has invariably changed dramatically. Tech leaders used to give orders for enterprises that are compelled to follow or simply carrying out strict instructions by business executives.

It is now much different. A recent article from Dan Tynan proves this, “Today, IT leaders are helping business users pick the best of breed from an ever-growing catalog of tools and services, while guiding the organization through its technology transformation…”

Here, we help you summarise the gist of the article and let you know what should tech leaders take note of and what to ditch in leading the forefront of technological advancements:

No. 1 Then: Tech Leaders Stick To The Rules
Now: Technologies That Are Good For Business and User Come First; Rules Second

Perhaps 5 years ago, tech leaders call the shots -from enforcing standards, establishing policies to deciding which applications suit business and who have access to them. Today, things are different. Users are “the boss”. Everything is centered on how can users’ lives improve through innovative solutions in place, and how it helps businesses thrive through new technologies.

No. 2 Then: Having Most Data Is King
Now: What You Do With the Data Defines Your Future

You may have the largest pool of database compared to the rest. Are they giving you enough information to predict demands for certain products and services? It’s no longer about the quality; it’s what actions you take with the data that potentially influences the next business direction of the company.

No. 3. Then: Perfecting The Technology For Use
Now: Continuously Deliver and Fix It Until You Get It Right

The strive for the perfection of a system or solution is over. The works of an IT solution provider doesn’t just stop at perfecting a system and be done with. They now work on giving what businesses want; speed, agility, and value. For today’s CIOs, taking risk matters more that can take them to increased transformational success.

No. 4 Then: Locking Down Every Data from Every Device
Now: Prioritising What is Important For Your Users- Happiness

Let’s face it – can you control what goes in and out of everyone’s devices such as a laptop or smartphones. Is it realistically feasible that you decide how much social media your employees can use in and out of work? Truthfully, it is more important to balance compliance and the company’s security needs with the users’ wants and desires

No. 5. Then: Protect The Perimeter At All Costs
Now: No One is Exempted Until Proven Innocent

Before this, CIOs are only tasked to monitor and control data going out to outsiders. Today, even employees are not to be trusted. Due to cloud, IoT devices, and remote access, it becomes dangerously easier for anyone to perform data breach from the inside. Hence, CIOs need to enforce tighter security checks in place, such as carefully authenticating and authorising access upon the company’s network resources.

No. 6 Then: Stick To The Only One Good, Reliable Partner
Now: Keep Your Options Open to Best Possible Solution in The Market

Why commit to using just one vendor to supply most of your technologies and risk delivery failures, inflexibility and vendor lock-in? With today’s world focusing more on flexibility and costs, you can make full use of specialised competencies from different vendors to fulfill your tech needs. However, there is a complexity in managing more than a few – be careful of that.

No. 7 Then: “Let Us Help You Take Care of Your Data”
Now: “We Can Do It Too.”

As our technology gets more advanced, it also gets easier for anyone to replicate its system. Gone are the days of cloud giants conquering your cloud needs; in-house developers from startups too can invent their own customised cloud platform. Through this approach, companies can avoid forking out unnecessary egress charges or being locked in with proprietary protocols and pricing schemes when you no longer want to store your data on their platform.

No. 8. Then: Minimise Costs, Keep The Breaches Out, And Prevent Outages
Now: It’s All About Innovating

No longer just being safe, moving fast and taking risks is now the new mandate for today’s CIO. CIOs now realise the importance of reinventing products and services that can increase revenue, maintain loyalty and keep the businesses growing ahead of their competitions. They have to constantly ask themselves; “Is my innovation disruptive? Should I reassess my processes to make it more nimble?”

No. 9. Then: CIOs’ Place is Only Within Data Centers
Now: CIOs is Now Part of The Board

The age of digital transformation has certainly transformed the role of CIOs as well – from being confined to server rooms to now taking the lead in major IT decision making. However, tech leaders need to speak the language of business if they would like to be taken seriously at a strategic level. Instead of emphasising on speeds and feeds, the focus of discussion is to be on the amount of time and technology saved, how new services uplift businesses in new markets.

Hence, as enterprises become more reliant on data to drive business decisions, tech leaders have greater responsibilities than before.

Do you think you are prepared to take on such role? Then apply for your desired position here at our job vacancy!