We’ve talked a lot in the recent weeks about why cloud computing – and hybrid cloud specifically – will help your organization grow and succeed. From cost-savings to efficiency and scalability, cloud solutions, whether it’s private, public or hybrid, offer companies a wide range of benefits that can deliver on productivity goals and improve every day processes. But one thing that we’ve been noticing across the industry, including with our own Markley Group clients, is that organizations are still struggling to determine who owns the decision-making process around implementing new cloud technologies – should it be the C-suite leaders, IT executives or someone else entirely?
Tackling this topic head on is the new study from Deloitte, featured in a Forbes article this week, which found that business executives, such as CEOs and CFOs, have become more involved in technology decisions. Among other findings, the study revealed:
48 percent of the 500 surveyed mid-market executives said their company’s leadership views technology as a “critical” differentiator and key to growth
62 percent of mid-market executives polled said their company’s C-suite had some level of involvement, with 46 percent saying its C-suite is “actively engaged” and 33 percent saying leadership is “leading the charge”
42 percent of respondents said they are currently deploying cloud-computing resources and 21 percent reported mature, successful deployments
While there is no doubt that IT personnel are still necessary for studying and selecting servers and other technical assets, here at Markley Group, we agree that a company’s C-suite should be involved in determining the technology direction a company takes.
As the Forbes article points out, there are certainly some disadvantages to having business leaders involved in the technology process – such as misdirection – but there are also many positive benefits to aligning the C-suite with IT personnel in the decision-making process. For example, technology advantage is largely associated with overall competitive advantage, and CEOs need to ensure that their current technology processes enable them to compete effectively with their industry. Companies can no longer afford to be held back by outdated technology or the inability to maintain new initiatives, as IT has elevated from the data center to the C-suite.
Ultimately, any new technology deployment (and the survey makes it clear that cloud solutions are still gaining popularity) should reflect the overall needs and goals of each individual organization. Beyond that, every implemented solution should accommodate C-suite insights as well as input from those who will use and manage those solutions on a daily basis, like IT managers and employees.
Who are the decision makers at your organization? And if you’re interested in discussing how cloud computing solutions can be tailored to benefit everyone at your organization, regardless of position or influence, drop us a line at info@markleygroup.com and our team of experts can get you on the right track.
