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What Kind Of CIO Are You?

By Eric Lundquist on 2010-07-09


What kind of CIO are you? A Gatekeeper? A Beancounter's Apprentice? The Chief Widgeteer? Most likely you're already saying "all of the above…and so much more." While the day-to-day functions of the CIO can vary based on organizational structure, industry vertical and size of enterprise - among other factors - we've identified 10 CIO archetypes, and what you need to know about them.

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Top CIO Archetypes The GatekeeperThe Beancounter's ApprenticeThe Radar OperatorThe CheerleaderVendor's Friend Or Foe Top CIO Archetypes The CopChief WidgeteerThe PolitickerThe NetworkerThe Futurist

The GatekeeperThis CIO is the pivot point between business and technology. The Gatekeeper CIO acts as ambassador between the tech-jargon-speaking IT staff and the biz ops managers who only want to how technology can help them outdistance the competition.

The Beancounter's ApprenticeTech budgets consume CapEx dollars, and new technologies such as virtualization and SaaS promise low costs and high efficiencies. This CIO needs to achieve continuous efficiency without gutting a company’s capabilities.

The Radar Operator Would you want to be the last firm in your industry to offer your data in a digital format? Or be unable to offer your company’s goods and services in a mobile format?This CIO needs to be on the prowl for technology that allows the enterprise to outpace its competitors.

The CheerleaderThis CIO strikes a delicate balance between outsourcing the standard computing infrastructure in a company and judiciously applying technology to the pieces that make a company unique.

Vendor's Friend / FoeCIOs value service relationships and will often bring a trusted vendor with them when they change jobs. This CIO wants to be able to call a human being when the server conks out, or when the database is corrupted or when the Web site is hacked.

The CopGetting hacked puts you in trouble with the upper company management, customer groups, lawyers and the law. This CIO fears finding out the computer network was breached and hackers have made off with the customer list.

The Chief WidgeteerThis CIO spends a lot more time than he would like to acknowledge making sure:1. the boss’s new iPhone can access the company email2. the boss’s kid in college has someone to call to fix laptop troubles3. he has a response ready when some asks what he thinks about FourSquare.

The PolitickerThe CIO who wants to rise in a company reports to the CEO. Reporting to the CFO is a dead end. This CIO wants to enjoy the view as lead dog instead of running in the middle of the pack.

The NetworkerCIOs like to connect with other CIOs, preferably face to face. This CIO know she probably has three to five years at a current job before becoming part of a palace revolt. Solid CIO:CIO connections help get to the next rung on the corporate ladder.

The FuturistAre we heading for the day when all tech products are services? What about cloud computing? Is iPhone better than Android for corporate applications? This CIO wants to talk about trends in business and technology.

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