A gathering of all CIOs and IT executives who have shared their time and expertise with Computerworld Philippines’ various events and monthly print issues throughout 2008, the CIO Forum year-end event was highlighted by a panel discussion on “Bridging the Digital Divide: The CIO from the CEO’s Perspective,” where three chief executives shared their views about the role of the CIO today.

“I want my CIO to be a leader, to be able to anticipate what I want and what the company needs,” says Alberto Lina, chairman of the Lina Group of Companies. Believing the CIO of today is just a heartbeat away from becoming the CEOs of tomorrow, Lina advises guest CIOs present at the event to take advantage of the information that they have right at their fingerprints and to harness this to enable them to play a more strategic role in the organization; so strategic, in fact, that they may even end up knowing more about the company than their CEOs, Lina says.

Asked what would be the criteria in choosing “the perfect CIO,” Edwin Domingo, head of marketing and business development at Eastern Telecommunications Philippines Inc., says there is actually no perfect CIO. Domingo was presenting on behalf of his boss, Mario Locsin, president & COO of ETPI. “There really is neither a perfect CIO nor CEO, it’s actually not about each individual but how these individuals work as a team.” According to Domingo, the CIO, aside from being technically competent, should, above all, function as a team player and have the attitude of a businessman.

Meanwhile, George Tan, president and CEO of Digital Paradise Inc., agrees and says that CEOs are really always looking at value for money in the business and the CIO should be able to do his job as a business partner and also help in developing the right culture for the company.

“The CIO should know how to align IT with the overall strategies of the company. CEOs still look for technical skills but they want business skills combined with that, so being well-rounded is very important,” says CICT Chairman Ray Anthony Roxas-Chua.
For CIOs aspiring to be CEOs someday, Domingo has this advice: “You have to be able to communicate to the CEO. You must have the CEO attitude, understand the business in the same level that he does and apply your CIO skills to be able to improve on it.”

Roxas-Chua’s Tips:
- Be part of the overall strategic plan of the company.
- Well-rounded personality. Those who do not think just one way. Even though we still need the technical skills we also want the well roundedness combined with business skills.

Possibly Related Posts:

• The Cloud: Waiting to Descend or Forever Up in The Air?
• Moving Through the Supply Chain
• Data Recovery– Riding Through The Chaos
• Mitigating the Risks
• Greening the Workplace

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