Starting a new CIO or CTO role in 2024

Starting as a new Chief Information Officer or Chief Technology Officer is an exciting and challenging role. You will be responsible for leading the technology strategy and initiatives for your organisation – bridging the gap between technology and business objectives.

Why the business needs a new technology leader

There are a few different reasons why businesses may appoint a new CIO or CTO. One common reason is that the organisation’s current IT systems or processes are not meeting their needs and are in need of modernisation. This might be because the systems are outdated, inefficient, or not well-suited to the needs of the business. In these cases, the CIO will be responsible for identifying the issues with the current systems, developing a plan to modernize them, and implementing those changes.

Another reason why businesses may appoint a new CIO is that they have recently received investment or are experiencing significant growth. In these cases, the organisation may need to scale up its IT infrastructure and capabilities in order to support that growth. The CIO will be responsible for developing a plan to expand and enhance the organisation’s IT capabilities and implementing those changes.

Regardless of the reason for appointing a new CIO, the role is typically focused on driving the organisation’s technology strategy and initiatives, and ensuring that the IT systems and processes are aligned with the overall goals and objectives of the business. The CIO will work closely with other executives, IT staff, and business leaders to identify opportunities for using technology to improve the organisation’s operations, and will be responsible for implementing those changes.

Considerations to succeed in your role

Understand the business goals and priorities: As the CIO, you will need to align your technology strategies with the overall goals and objectives of the organisation. Take the time to get to know the business and understand what the key priorities are. This will help you identify the areas where technology can add the most value.

Build relationships with key stakeholders: As the CIO, you will be working closely with a wide range of stakeholders, including executives, IT staff, and business leaders. Building strong relationships with these individuals will be critical to your success. Take the time to get to know them, understand their needs and concerns, and work collaboratively to find solutions.

Assess and optimize the current IT infrastructure: Before you can develop new strategies and initiatives, you will need to understand the current state of the organisation’s IT infrastructure. Take the time to assess the systems, processes, and technologies that are in place, and identify areas where improvements can be made. This will help you make informed decisions about where to invest your time and resources.

Typically we help CIOs and CTOs assess the following areas to help gain an understanding of the quick wins and strategic projects needed:

• Infrastructure and databases
• Data
• Security
• Applications
• Hybrid working arrangements

Develop a roadmap for the future: As the CIO, it will be your responsibility to develop a roadmap for the future of the organisation’s IT capabilities. This will involve identifying the key trends and technologies that will shape the industry, and developing a plan to take advantage of them. Keep in mind that this roadmap will need to be flexible and adaptable, as the IT landscape is constantly evolving.

Foster a culture of innovation: As the CIO, you will be responsible for driving innovation and change within the organisation. This will require you to create a culture that is open to new ideas and approaches, and that encourages experimentation and risk-taking. This will be especially important as you work to implement new technologies and strategies.

Access funding to support your assessments and strategic projects

To build out your plan you need to assess all elements of the business’s technology to know which areas to prioritise. Cloud Direct help businesses access funding from Microsoft to support the planning and implementation of cloud projects including assessments and discovery projects.

Microsoft Azure Migration and Modernisation funding is a program offered by Microsoft to help organisations migrate their workloads and modernize their applications using Azure cloud services. The funding is provided in the form of credits that can be used towards the cost of migrating and modernizing workloads on Azure.

One way to access Microsoft Azure Migration and Modernisation funding is through Cloud Direct, a Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) that provides access to a range of Microsoft cloud services, including Azure. As a CSP, Cloud Direct can help organisations navigate the process of accessing and utilizing the Migration and Modernisation funding.

To access the funding through Cloud Direct, organisations will need to work with a Cloud Direct account manager to develop a plan for migrating and modernizing their workloads on Azure. The account manager will then help the organisation submit an application for funding through the Microsoft Partner Center.

Once the application has been approved, the organisation will receive credits that can be used towards the cost of migrating and modernizing their workloads on Azure. The credits can be used for various purposes, including the cost of Azure infrastructure, the cost of third-party tools and services, and the cost of professional services provided by Cloud Direct.

Overall, accessing Microsoft Azure Migration and Modernisation funding through Cloud Direct can be a valuable resource for organisations looking to migrate and modernize their workloads on Azure. By working with a CSP like Cloud Direct, organisations can benefit from expert guidance and support throughout the process, as well as access to a range of tools and services that can help them successfully migrate and modernize their workloads on Azure.