BSM Views

I received an email from the IT Service Management Federation a few days ago calling for Speakers for their Annual Conference in Vancouver, May 4th-8th. If you have done some interesting things around Service Management, this might be a great opportunity. If you don’t know the ITSMF, they are well run an national industry group that covers Service Management topics and holds frequent events to foster greater knowledge among its membership. They had the last annual conference in Toronto last September and it was well organized event with about 300 members from across Canada attending. You can find out more at www.itsmf.ca.

Here is there invitation: ITSMF National Conference Call for Speakers

I hear time and time again about the IT still being seen as a cost center, and the CIO as management rather than executive, despite the title. This is changing, but it still, there are lots of organizations where IT still has a unflattering reputation, and it not viewed as strategic to the bottom line and success of the company. This is really ironic, as it seems that Wall Mart took over world with great logistics, supported by great IT, is this example not good enough for people.

The reality, as anyone in IT knows, is that IT is now a critical part, and likely most strategic gear in the company whether it is acknowledged or not. As this transformation occurs, the CIO gains greater power, and greater responsibility. Some still ask, why CIO’s are not yet equals with the C execs. Lots of writers postulate reasons, and there are seminars to go with those reasons, but in the end it comes down to the leadership of each CIO. As one CIO I know put it “If you run a tight ship, it will be recognized and you will have a place at the table.”

Here is an interesting article on all the other reason: Why CIOs Struggle to Become More Strategic.