1 © 2002 the advisory council. all rights reserved. from the computer room to the boardroom...

1© 2002 The Advisory Council. All rights reserved. www.theadvisorycouncil.com

From the Computer Room to the Boardroom

Transitioning from CIO to CEO to Entrepreneur

February, 2002


Alan Guibord – CIO

• I’m from IT and I’m here to help you!


Alan Guibord – CEO

• I read about wireless on an airplane– why don’t we use it!


Alan Guibord Entrepreneur….

Who’s turn is it to empty the waste basket!


The changing role of the CIO• More than half of of CIOs currently report to the CEO

in Fortune 500 companies• Up from 43%

– The role of technology is critical to the business• Successful transitions include Barksdale and

Cappellas (still a new phenomenon)• Cross the chasm from technology to management


Assess yourself• Know your strengths• Know your weaknesses• Fill in the gaps• Get out of the office• Build relationships with peers• Seek a mentor• Start going on sales calls

– Get used to it


Dress for Success


PMCC Rule• Products• Marketing• Customer• Competition


Learn your Organization• Assess your team quickly• Surround yourself with people you can trust• Know their strengths - staff to their weaknesses• Know the power brokers in your company• Know your board members

– Create an issue that gets you in front of them– Security is a good one!


Get Ready• Can’t succeed without taking risks

– CIOs are risk averse• Stay connected to your network

– Be aware of market conditions• Use your CIO experience to make savvy budget

decisions– It’s not just cost– Tie all spending to business performance

• Balance tactical nature of CIO role with strategic nature of the CEO role

• Tie your plan to specific business unit objectives


“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”

-Wayne Gretzky – NHL Great One

RiskTaking


Network-network-network• Establish personal relationships with business

managers and peers• Return Phone calls

– You never know who might help you– Being too busy is not an excuse

• Get outside of the office as much as possible to meet new people

• Meet people outside of IT


CEO Skills Required• Hone the “bigger picture” perspective• Enhance interpersonal skills• Relationship building – internally & externally• Drive change with business partners not alone• Know where to be involved• Delegate• Get used to sales


CEO Lessons Learned• Don’t get Ego confused with urge to succeed• Take the risk to get the title• You can never have a big enough network• Balance your inside and outside time • Leverage you IT skills

– Think things through– Think of all the touch points– Utilize your project management experience


The Entrepreneur - IT’s All About You• First you must believe in yourself

– Don’t be afraid of what others think– Believe in yourself (Dave Thomas)– It’s not about failure but lessons learned

• Build on your CIO and CEO experiences• You might not succeed the first time• People might forget you• Be prepared for the highs and lows• Get partners that fill your gaps


The Entrepreneur - IT’s All About You• Be prepared to wear multiple hats• You are on your own quite a bit• Be open minded and listen to what others are saying• Have passion it’s contagious!• Investors are buying you more than the idea


The Entrepreneur Process• Test and re-test your idea• Prepare a comprehensive business plan and

presentation• Practice on your friends• Find Angel investors if at all possible• Try direct contacts with VC’s first

– If that doesn’t work, get an investment banker• It’s all about valuation when you split the pie• The more structure you can create the better


The Entrepreneur Process• Try not to use your own money• Get as much as you can on the first round

– The VC’s live to get another chance at you• Have an exit strategy• Don’t take the first deal if possible• Be able to support yourself for limited time


The Entrepreneur Summary• Believe in yourself• Self discipline is a must• Build and utilize your network• Listen to feedback from others • Be open minded

1 © 2002 the advisory council. all rights reserved. from the computer room to the boardroom...

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