To a New Beginning

Back in 2001, CIO Insight launched as something of a journal–an in-depth, highly analytical publication aimed at giving IT leaders the tools they need to do their job better.

Over the years we’ve strived to uphold that mission, but from time to time we have strayed–moving away from peer-written articles to staff pieces and sometimes losing the analytical edge. In the past year we’ve worked hard to get back to our roots, and I believe we’re where we want to be.

Now comes the next step–the next piece of our evolution, if you will: a move to a quarterly publishing schedule that will allow us to provide deeper analysis, better research and more practical but strategic advice for CIOs and aspiring CIOs.

Some of you may be wondering, “Why?” Across the media industry, publishers are adjusting their schedules to the realities of decreased advertising support and the higher costs of print publishing and distribution. These factors have of course played a role in our planning.

Rather than “water down” CIO Insight by adding technology news and products that are the staples of other kinds of magazines in order to garner more advertising support, we are choosing to focus even more intently on our core mission of supporting your information needs as a strategic leader in IT.

We’re totally focused on helping you do your job better. Beginning with our first quarterly issue, you’ll see exactly what we mean. In 2010, we’ll introduce new features aimed at helping you analyze new strategic and technological opportunities, and provide some pointed advice from experts on furthering your own career in IT leadership and beyond.

At the same time, we are expanding our horizons. First comes the Website, www.cioinsight.com. Soon you’ll see a new look and feel, along with brand-new features aimed at giving actionable advice to sitting CIOs and tutelage to rising IT leaders.

From there, we’ll offer a series of Webinars and virtual trade shows around hot-button IT leadership issues. We’ll also host live events that will allow for true networking and discussion–not a bunch of talking heads speaking at you, but true forums for sharing knowledge and experience.

Bottom line: We’re going to work hard to bring you insights and analysis from the very best CIOs and industry thinkers. We’re going to give you the ammunition you need to succeed and ascend in your profession. And we’re going to open a new level of dialogue in the IT leadership community.

And that’s exactly what’s needed in 2010. CIOs faced countless challenges in 2009, and next year will be no different. That means all IT leaders need to step up their game and maximize the value they deliver to the business.

That’ll mean bringing new skills, tools and processes into the mix. It means getting a better understanding of business, strategy and operations. And it means communicating and demonstrating value in bigger, broader ways.

We’ll do our best to give you all the information and insight you need to succeed. 2010 can be an amazing year for CIOs and the profession itself, and we’re happy to be along for the ride.

It’s going to be a great one. Buckle up, everybody.