The Road to CIO

For many IT workers, the title of CIO, or Chief Information Officer, represents the pinnacle of their career goals. The role of this important corporate officer has undergone, and continues to undergo, a number of important changes, and it is important for all who aspire to such heights to learn as much as they can about the role of CIO in the ever changing global environment.

The role of CIO has become one of the most high profile positions within many organizations, and certainly one of the most highly compensated as well. The role of the CIO has been changing and evolving for many years now, as the importance of computers and computer technology has grown. As evidence of this enhanced role, CIO magazine reported that some 41% of CIOs report directly to the CEO. In fact the role of the CIO is increasingly becoming one of real strategic importance to companies large and small.

For those who aspire to that corner CIO office, it is important to understand how the role of CIO fits into the organization, and increasingly that role goes far beyond making sure the computers and servers are up and running. In fact more and more CIOs are being asked to take on roles in business and finance, and it is important for CIO candidates to be fluent in all aspects of the business.

The CIO is also increasingly responsible for knowing and implementing proper information management techniques, and keeping abreast of the rules and regulations governing compliance with laws like Sarbanes-Oxley.

The CIO must also contend with issues far beyond the borders of the country in which their company is headquarters, and increasingly the role of CIO is taking on global implications. From outsourcing of call centers and data operations to India and elsewhere to dealing with global sales, the CIO needs to be well versed in a number of international issues.

Although the role of CIO is still evolving, the job still requires the same time tested skills possessed by corporate officers for decades. The ability to think critically, communicate effectively and motivate others are still essential skill sets for the CIO, and skills that all who aspire to such a position would do well to enhance. Quality business and interpersonal skills, in addition to top notch technical know how, are essential to success in the CIO office.

It is also important for those who aspire to the position of CIO to take a proactive approach to the development of their careers. It is important for even the lowest level tech worker to establish a strong network of colleagues, coworkers and managers, and to make his or her career ambitions known. Working hard at their current job while aspiring to bigger and better things has been, and remains, one of the best pieces of career advice.

IT workers would also do well to enhance their interpersonal skills and network with high level businesspeople and top level management whenever possible. Many tech workers are reluctant to interact with upper management, but doing so can be a great way to get noticed, and when done properly can be an entry into higher levels of responsibility. It takes tact, skill and style, but approaching those high up in the organization can be one of the best ways to get noticed and enhance one's career. It is important for workers of all levels to understand how these high level businesspeople think and what is important to them. By learning their language and understanding what they value, it may be possible to shed new light on existing problems and help those managers solve critical business problems. This type of proactive problem solving is nearly always rewarded, and many corporate CIOs got their start in just that way.

Of course many CIO candidates got their start in much lower levels of IT employment, working their way up through dedication, hard work and ongoing computer training. The concept of lifetime learning and continuing education is certainly at home in the IT industry, and it is important for those who work in the industry to get the training and certification they need to enhance their career goals and increase their earnings.

Whether your goal is to be a corporate CIO, chief technology officer or just to have a successful career, it is important to get the training and certifications you need. The importance of certification has never been greater than it is today, and many employers are looking at these credentials when making important hiring and promotion decisions.

One of the best ways for workers to get the training and certification they need is through the use of computer based training, or CBT, and CBT Planet is the company of choice for many workers. CBT Planet offers the ultimate in flexibility and convenience, providing some of the best computer based training products on the market today. Among the certification programs for which CBT Planet offers training are Cisco CCNA, Microsoft MCSE, Red Hat, Sun, IBM, CompTIA A+, Oracle and others. CBT Planet is also proud to offer training for Microsoft Office and a number of other desktop applications, perfect for IT workers in all industries. Contact CBT Planet today to discuss your training needs.