The new post-dotcom CIO must possess a wide range of leadership and managerial skills to seriously take on the market. Technical ability alone will not suffice to successfully meet modern expected deliverables, says Robert Sussman, joint MD of Integr8 IT.
This is the basis of Sussman`s presentation to a group of fellow speakers and delegates at the CIO Challenge 2007, a two-day corporate IT strategy and development workshop to be held on 14 and 15 November, at the Hyatt, in Johannesburg.
Sussman is joined by industry leaders, which include past CIO of SARS, Ken Jarvis; CIO of MTN, Erich Roberts; and past CIO of Old Mutual, Theo Nkone.
Sussman has achieved widespread personal and company acclaim in the ICT industry, including taking top honours in the ForgeAhead African ICT Achiever`s Top Private Sector CIO of the Year award in 2005, and having his name on a list of nominees for the same award in 2006 and again in 2007, where he is also listed for ICT Businessman of the Year for Africa.
The CIO Challenge 2007 is sponsored by several business and IT industry representative bodies, and is organised to turn the spotlight on ways in which senior management can align their IT strategy with key business objectives.
"The idea that a CIO requires the acumen of business skills combined with a highly professional and experienced approach to IT sounds straightforward enough. However, many business leaders have struggled to come to terms with the fact that managerial skills are paramount to an effective leadership strategy that spreads management across the boardroom, into the server room to incorporate external suppliers," says Sussman.
A central theme underlying the conference is to delve into practical, effective ways that CIOs can apply in order to align IT strategy with key business objectives.
Among the number of topics up for discussion include: the emerging role of the CIO; transforming the IT function and harnessing this function to enhance corporate competitiveness and growth; as well as managing successfully beyond the organisational matrix.
For more information on the conference, contact Carla Fourie at (021) 441-2500.
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Integr8 IT is South Africa`s largest privately owned national BEE ICT network integration and infrastructure management specialist.
A renowned leader in the field of system integration, infrastructure management and support services, the company employs over 350 full-time highly skilled professionals.
Integr8 IT is the innovator, founder and operator of the only South African based Nerve Centre (www.nervecentre.co.za), providing a digital hub to manage and regulate many of the country`s leading corporations.
The company`s core focus is on network infrastructures specialising in design, planning, deployment, management and maintenance. Integr8 IT has offices in South Africa, Botswana United States of America and the United Kingdom. The South African Offices are found in Gauteng, Cape Town, Durban and it has representation in Port Elizabeth, East London, and across the southern Africa region.
Integr8 IT is a Microsoft Certified Gold Partner for Advanced Infrastructure Solutions, Network Infrastructure Solutions, Information Worker Solutions, and OEM Solutions.
It has been acknowledged and accredited with many awards, namely: Microsoft Gold Partner of the Year, African ICT Achievers - CIO of the Year for Africa, Best Customer Experience of the Year, Network Infrastructure Solution of the Year, Security Solution of the Year for Middle East, Africa, and Eastern Europe, Advanced Infrastructure Solutions, and many others, every year, since its inception.
Named as one of the country`s Top ICT Companies and honoured with a position among South Africa`s Technology Top 100 Companies, Integr8 IT has established itself as a strategic partner with numerous internationally-recognised technology vendors and industry leaders.
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