The Real Business of It Lib/E: How Cios Create and Communicate Value

by George Westerman

If you're a general manager or CFO, do you feel you're spending too much on IT or wishing you could get better returns from your IT investments? If so, it's time to examine what's behind this IT-as-cost mind-set.

In The Real Business of IT, Richard Hunter and George Westerman reveal that the cost mind-set stems from IT leaders' inability to communicate about the business value they create-so CIOs get stuck discussing budgets rather than their contributions to the organization.

The authors explain how IT leaders can combat this mind-set by first using information technology to generate three forms of value important to leaders throughout the organization:

-Value for money when your IT department operates efficiently and effectively

-An investment in business performance evidenced when IT helps divisions, units, and departments boost profitability

-Personal value of CIOs as leaders whose contributions to their enterprise go well beyond their area of specialization

The authors show how to communicate about these forms of value with non-IT leaders-so they understand how your firm is benefiting and see IT as the strategic powerhouse it truly is.

Genres: Business, Technology, Leadership, Nonfiction, Management, Communication, Technical

Audio CD

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

“The Real Business of IT: How CIOs Create and Communicate Value,” by Richard Hunter and George Westerman is designed for people that either are a Chief Information Officer that wants to up their game or someone who aspires to be one. The book offers a lot of practical advice and starts off with helping the reader to understand normal pitfalls that are easy for IT people to fall into. It then gives strategies and examples of how to avoid them. The authors do a good job of creating a road map to follow and they also give real world examples from successful CIOs.
If you are a CIO and trying to determine how to take the next step or are struggling to get the rest of the C-suite to understand the value you bring, and can be bringing, to your organization, then this would be a good read that I would recommend.

[Todd Cheng · Rating 4 out of 5]

A healthy collection of practices and theories needed in the role of C level executive for IT. These include Project management, the value of Technology, speaking in common business terms of the organization, governance board management, and development of strategy by listening to the units of Business.

The vast majority of it continues to hold the test of time. The only grind I had is net promotion score has risen and fallen as more a fad.

The book highlights a few CIOs who broke through infrastructure management to strategic partners in understanding the business and significantly improving it. Many of these have gone on to CEOs, VP, Presidents, or CIO in larger scope. For the passionate in continues improvement and learning there is a long journey post CIO.

Collaboration and helping others you support reach their outcomes and goals is critical to the role.

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is getting old for the subject material, but some of the topics it discusses are still worth the read. A new edition would be exciting. Focused on employees swimming in the fortune 500. I believe a look at the Entrepeneur mindset would also be valuable. Admittedly the book focuses on large business and how to execute in the role and climb the ladder.

[Carlos Rendon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read for anyone in a technical role. It explains how and why to focus on the business. It also explores "value traps" to avoid that cause both poor performance and the perception of poor performance. Would read again.

[J.R. Gilkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent must read for all aspiring CIOS and IT Execs!

[Pedro Martinez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read for any IT professional embarked in the journey to maximize the value of technology in the enterprise. Sharp guide to the basics, two dimensional models, and traps to avoid

[Iz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has a lot of solid advice, but also seems to repeat itself a lot with slight variations to try and make it seem like a new topic.

[João Marcus · Rating 5 out of 5]

É uma joia que encontrei em uma lista de melhores livros para gerentes de tecnologia. Mudou minha forma de ver as coisas em uma área que esse problema é muito comum.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not an IT person, but found this book to be extremely relevant to all fields. Loved it and found many ways in which the IT specific principles actually apply to other business related fields. Great for any IT leader or non-IT leader who wants to know or learn a little more about such an important field in today's society.

[Tjek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only is this a must read for IT Leaders who are thinking of becoming a business leader, it should also be on the indispensable management book shelf of all non IT Leaders who want to adopt and adapt technology to craft out a new game changing strategy!

[Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[David Ferreira Alves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear guide for CIOs moving from order takers and cost centres to change champions and value added.

[Matthew Parsons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. First half was very interesting and it got more repetitive towards the 2nd half. Good way to look at business outcomes and avoid value traps.

[Chee Kin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A useful reference book for Managing IT.