Creating the role of Business Information Officer

Now the reverse is true. And the reason is that IT is an essential ingredient for innovation in most business disciplines today, and customers are increasingly technologically savvy, even if they do not have traditional IT backgrounds. This is an opportunity for IT, but too often IT does not have the knowledge of the other divisions, business units or operating companies to be invited to the strategy setting table where demand is generated and shaped. This needs to change. We‘d like to suggest that you contemplate introducing a new role called the Business Information Officer, or BIO.

Save

Information technology in business

For larger organizations these would be members of the IT team who are embedded in a single division, business unit or operating company of the enterprise. Within mid-size companies a single BIO might align with multiple divisions of the company. The profile of the BIO should include wearing multiple hats, as the BIO needs to possess a chameleon-like ability to think as a technologist, but also to represent and think in the terms and with the strategy and success metrics of other divisions of the company. An ability to network inside and outside of the company, since this needs to be a position that draws insights from across the enterprise and beyond, but also can influence the discussions happening within the company.

Save

Save

Duties of information officer

A focus on speed-to-market, as this is a key performance indicator for the BIO. Your BIO should be at the strategy setting meetings happening within division or divisions that they’re aligned with, and should help provide insights that will allow the division to reach its objectives more readily. Advocacy in both directions, as the BIO needs to represent the interests of the division or divisions he or she is aligned to back to IT, but also act as an advocate on behalf of IT when dealing with the divisions. Empathy and ability to listen, as these leaders need to have deep discussions with leaders in IT and in divisions to understand how the relationship can improve,as well as understand when a need or opportunity that is being articulated could be addressedby an IT solution of some sort.

Save

A “bias” towards reusing technology wherever possible. As you may have experienced, many divisional, business unit or operating company leaders tend to think that each of their IT needs are unique, when in reality they rarely are. The BIO role should help your IT team understandwhere there are new needs in one part of the company that can be addressed with a solutionthat other parts of the company are already using. So how should you identify these new leaders. Here are some thoughts. First, identify particularly business savvy technologists on your team, especially those who are your best performers, who might be interested in a new strategic assignment like this entails.

Information system in business

Second, identify technologically centric members of other divisions who can join your team in this way as they already have the depth of knowledge in the division that they would then align back to. Third, look for people who have great internal networks and are especially good at influencing other colleagues. Lastly, find people who are autodidacts and are willing to do the homework necessary to remain aware of progress and innovation happening both in IT and in the discipline that is the domain of the division or divisions that they’re aligned to.