Why You Should Consider Putting A CIO on Your Company’s Board

A successful board for an even more successful company is much like an undefeated sport’s team. Board members need to work together in order to reach certain goals. On an undefeated sport’s team, there are a few key players that stand out when a goal is achieved, or in this case, scored. The same goes for a board of a business. When people work together to look out for the best interests of the company, amazing things can happen. And, when one of those members is a CIO, it really helps make things run smoothly.

This year, the former CIO of T-Mobile, Gary King, celebrated his retirement in a unique way. He decided to join the board of directors at Soasta. Soasta is a company that specializes in making performance monitoring software. This company wants to help websites assess and manage the performance of their websites. This is especially important and the demand is high, since companies are being developed rapidly, and need to test software from the beginning. A man like Gary King on the Soasta board is not only helping Soasta, but the people Soasta helps. Sounds like a win-win, if you ask us.

And, Soasta isn’t the only company benefiting from having a CIO on their board. So are automakers, insurance carriers, and a ton of other industries like these. Ever since technology has become the main focus of a business, it’s imperative for companies to get a CIO on their board. Even if your company isn’t a Fortune 500, it’s something you must consider as your business grows

So, what about you? Should you get a CIO on your company’s board? Absolutely. If Gary King’s situation didn’t convince you, maybe these reasons will.

CIOs Trust Their Instincts, Not Trends

One of the primary goals of CIOS historically was cutting down technology costs for companies. Therefore, you know their focus is true and genuine. They want to help you save money and they want you to do what’s best for your company, without necessarily making it more complicated.

They are Equally Biased and Unbiased

Many CEOs today don’t have an IT background. Many of them have had business backgrounds, and are therefore biased to only the business aspect of a company. While that’s important, it’s good to have a CIO on board because they are experts in their field and they care about their field…perhaps more than anyone else on the board. A company needs that kind of energy and passion to look out for the best interests of the company.

A CIO Has A LOT of Relevant Experience

CIOs typically have worked their way up, and have thus learned a lot through their various IT jobs along the way. They’ve seen it all, and they’re ready to bring what they’ve learned, good and bad, to your board. They’ve already made mistakes that you don’t want to make, and will make sure you avoid those errors at all costs.

They Have a Huge Concern for Cybersecurity

A CIO on your company’s board is going to ensure your data is safe with them. Typically, companies take a lot of convincing, and in some cases an actual data breach, before they pay any attention to cybersecurity. If this is a concern for you and it’s been hard to get other board members…on board, then a CIO is the answer.

What are you waiting for? A CIO on your board can do wonders for your company.