4 Steps CIOs Should Take to Lead Digital Transformation

By Marianne Chrisos - Last Updated on January 6, 2020
steps for cios to lead digital transformation

How to be a leader in technology and digital trends.

What steps CIOs need to take to lead digital transformation.

It’s not enough to just follow the trends. The best organizations aren’t playing catch up in areas that affect their business, like technology. There are certain steps to be taken in order for CIOs to lead digital transformation in their business. Here are some things to keep in mind when thinking about your digital transformation approach and how to successfully lead in that area.

Be the Right Kind of Leader

CIOs need to make sure they embody the best qualities of leadership that will allow them to embrace and create a digital business transformation in their business. The type of CIOs that are leading the charge for change in their industries are the kind that are adaptable and don’t fear change. Being able to not only assimilate but excitedly advocate for change is what can set a leader in the digital transformation process apart from someone who may fall behind in digital transformation and technological advancement.

It’s also important for leadership to be okay with making mistakes. Part of being a forward-thinking business person is knowing that not every idea will be a winner, but also being able to learn from mistakes and setbacks and continue to grow and push boundaries.

 

Value Education

Being a CIO can set people up for thinking that they’ve made it to the top of their chosen field. While this is true in some instances, it doesn’t mean that these leaders should stop learning. Education and training are key ingredients to success in leadership. Education doesn’t have to be as formal as going back for an advanced IT degree or an MBA, though those have a lot of value for business people. Education can be networking with other industry leaders, going to annual conferences, making time for webinars, reading research, and staying involved in conversations about tech trends so that they’re always thinking about what’s next and how it might affect their business.

Assemble a Great Team

One of the digital transformation steps you’ll want to make sure that you pay attention to in your process is hiring the best people you possibly can. No matter how big your information technology team is, it should be a diverse group that offers a balance of experience and education. You should also encourage diverse opinions and conversations to help continually push the envelope and grow idea exchange that can turn into proactive solutions. A good team is one that will not only support you in implementing changes for your digital transformation framework but also help you come up with creative ideas to stay cutting-edge.

Have a Strategy

At the end of the day, leadership involves action and planning, so you’ll need to ask the right questions before getting started. What processes will you be transforming? How will they affect your relationship to your customers? Will it add value internally or externally? What are the costs (monetary and otherwise) associated with it? Having answers to these questions will help you establish your goals and build your digital transformation strategy.

Don’t get left behind when it comes to digital investments. Make sure you take the necessary steps to lead your business in the next digital transformation.

Marianne Chrisos | Born in Salem, Massachusetts, growing up outside of Chicago, Illinois, and currently living near Dallas, Texas, Marianne is a content writer at a company near Dallas and contributing writer around the internet. She earned her master's degree in Writing and Publishing from DePaul University in Chicago and has worked in publishing, advertising, digital marketing, and content strategy.

Marianne Chrisos | Born in Salem, Massachusetts, growing up outside of Chicago, Illinois, and currently living near Dallas, Texas, Marianne is a content writer at a c...

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