How to Work Well With Your CMO on Big Data
Develop a Singular Focus
CIOs must demonstrate to CMOs that every tech decision is made in the interest of business-revenue facilitation and enablement, as opposed to being part of a cost-center strategy.
Get on the Same Page on Measurables
Arrive at mutual agreement upon key performance indicators such as revenue generation, usage and retention.
Define the Needle
Meaning the “needle in the haystack” of what the two of you will seek within big data, such as business goals, use cases and so on.
Make It Do-Able
Feasibility reports and cost analytics—with various trade-offs with respect to cost, time and priorities—allow CIOs to show CMOs how realistic a strategy is and what the options are.
Set Decision Governance Guidelines
Be explicit about who decides what, and when. This should include translating data into value, setting strategy, constructing use cases, allocating funds and deploying capabilities.
Align Communication Approaches, Part I
When CIOs and CMOs “talk” in completely different languages, it creates stumbling blocks. Make sure you communicate about IT in clear, everyday language.
Align Communication Approaches, Part II
If you tend to write five-page memos when the CMO just wants a few sentences, for example, include a brief summary and bullet points to make the document easier to quickly review.
Get Together
One company took the step of moving the CIO and CMO’s offices to the same floor. At other organizations, the two execs have regular dinners to build camaraderie.
