The next CIO Day 2013, the 25^th & 26^th of November!

The Past is the Future

The CIO is by nature not only the connection between technology and business. In terms of vision and responsibilities the role continuously moves between the long and short term. For this reason it is essential that the CIO participates in the strategic debate within organizations.

The impact of information technology in the short term is often overestimated. On the other hand there is a tendency to underestimate the impact in the long term. This valuation error of IT related trends and developments sometimes leads to confusion regarding our profession, and in the worst case to strategic mistakes.

During the Internet bubble, the expectations in the short term often were too high. Now, ten years later, many of the earlier predictions have come true anyway. Some industries are driven completely into the abyss. An incorrect estimate of the impact on both the short and long term is a persistent phenomenon. Every CIO that wants to lead his or her company confidently into the future has now been warned!

More and more organizations embrace scenario planning as a part of their business analyses and operating model in order to respond to new developments. In anticipating future scenarios, information management plays an increasingly important role. The internal IT function can increase the agility and future stability by enhancing cooperation with suppliers and partners. Clever use of specialized knowledge, tools and skills can be an enormous enrichment for organizations. A good CIO makes maximum use of these possibilities.

As a society and as CIOs we need to be constantly prepared for severe turbulence. Dealing with all kinds of uncertainty is inherent in our role and function. The best way to prepare for the future is by learning from the past. Let go of things that don't work, and remember and hold on to the things that do have the desired effect. And also look forward instead of holding on to things that were meaningful in the past, but which have since been overtaken by time.

Thinking in scenarios and planning by means of scenarios on the basis of intelligence, inspiration, information, innovation and interaction. During the CIO Days on 12 and 13 November 2012 exclusive master classes have provided a hands-on look into the future by means of impressive scenarios that you will help to be sketched on the basis of the variables: Governance (i.e.: governmental influence), Technology, Economics, Positioning, Risk & Reputation and People.

At the CIO Days chief IT executives have been given plenty of help and guidance to take a step into the future. 

We wish you all the best for next year! And we will meet again in November 2013!