Be the Business

CIOs in the New Eras of IT

By: Martha Heller

Narrated by: Martha Heller

Remember the '70s? Way back then, IT was a mainframe that sat in some room and only a few people had a key. Flash forward a decade, and IT was a limited set of systems irrelevant to the vast majority of employees and customers. But today, all of the sudden, technology belongs to everyone. Because of the suddenness of this revolution in technology adoption, most IT organizations have not had enough time to evolve into a "comfortable integration" with the rest of the company. This lack of comfortable integration has led to confusion over who is truly accountable for the return on technology investments, how much influence IT leaders should have over a company's business strategy, and whether CEOs need to hire Chief Digital Officers onto their senior leadership teams.

Through interviews with dozens of CIOs, Heller has created a snapshot of what CIOs are doing to lead IT in a climate where technology belongs to everyone. She addresses how CIOs are changing their operating models, their approaches to talent development, and their assessment of the new IT provider marketplace. Most importantly, Heller defines the top 10 skills and behaviors that CIOs will need to develop if they are going to be successful in an ever changing landscape. As a master storyteller, Heller incorporates philosophy, humor, and pragmatic advice into an audiobook that both informs and entertains.

©2016 Martha Heller (P)2016 Gildan Media, LLC

a CIO book must have.

it will change how you think and view IT culture and strategy. Anyone seeking to be leader in an organization, this is a must read book.

Lean In

Heller offers sound advice for CIOs who aspire to accelerate development of a global digital capability within their company.

Collaboration is Essential

This book pretty much sums up what the work place is today: one big collaboration, and if you're not working towards that then you're doing it wrong. specifically the book details how CIO's need to focus on bringing bboth the business department and IT departments together. I'm the beginning she also explains that CDO's are pretty much marketers in disguise. Good book but not great, length was good also. If you are a CEO struggling to adapt to technology then this book is for you.

Great for IT leaders.

this provokes thought and a reflective study for this new generation of IT leaders to truly innovate and change how business value is created.

Mindset Shift with Essential Skills and Practical Techniques

Mindset Shift and Essential Skills: In this insightful book, Martha Heller challenges CIOs to shift their perspective. Rather than treating IT as a siloed function, she advocates for a paradigm shift. CIOs must view IT as integral to the business, influencing its success metrics and strategic priorities. Successful CIOs lead with agility, adaptability, and a customer-centric approach. They break down traditional barriers, collaborate across business units, and extend their influence at the executive table. The book outlines ten critical skills and behaviors, including strategic vision, risk management, and continuous learning. Whether you’re a seasoned IT executive or an aspiring leader, “Be the Business” offers actionable insights for thriving in today’s dynamic IT landscape.

Practical Techniques and Takeaways: “Be the Business” equips CIOs to bridge the gap between technology and business success. Heller provides practical techniques and analogies to help CIOs embrace their role as business enablers. The book emphasizes agility, adaptability, and understanding organizational goals. It’s a must-read for anyone seeking to thrive in the ever-changing world of modern IT. 🌟📚