7 Easy Steps for Becoming a Cloud-Ready CIO - Netmagic

Check out the 7 easy steps to overcome challenges faced in a cloud-based business model to derive maximum returns from minimal investments and become a cloud ready CIO.

Cloud computing, cloud-based business model, Cloud challenges, Cloud service providers, Netmagic

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7 Easy Steps for Becoming a Cloud-Ready CIOArticle by Karan Kirpalani

Posted on: Dec 22, 2014

Cloud Computing

Traditional businesses are now opting spin-off to a cloud-based business model.

A cloud-based business model pays its way for itself while contributing to the

bottom line as well. Hence this is a great profit making approach for companies

and businesses to explore.

However, with a cloud-based business model there are few set of challenges that

needs to be overcome at the onset to derive maximum returns from minimal

investments.

The seven key steps elaborated below will help CIOs transition smoothly to a cloud-based business model. CIOs are required to carefully understand the political

intricacies of working with the Board of Directors and senior management, to

study patterns and find out means to achieve long-term business objectives in

shorter periods of time.

1. Stay IT SavvyA sound knowledge on IT industry trends with technical background is a “must-

have” credential to become a CIO. Technology know-how in itself cannot prove to

be a game changer for businesses on cloud. The CIO should be able to understand

the history of company origins, the strengths of the company and align them

strategically in sync with the current technology to meet business goals and

customer expectations. A careful integration of technology with business strengths

of a company will help CIOs deliver results as expected from the industry and

customers at large.

2. Identify Key Areas Of Strength To Explore Business OpportunitiesAs a CIO leading the business enterprise, it is important to stay abreast of the

current industry trends, understand customer requirements and make most of the

company’s strengths to cash on the business opportunities available. CIOs often

receive cost-sharing ideas from other organizations, and are required to justify

business initiatives and costs incurred to meet those goals.

Prior to implementing a business and technology plan on cloud, it is shared with

the members on board to seek final approval. Thorough study and careful analysis

of business plans helps CIOs identify potentially winning business opportunities

easily and accelerate growth.

3. Understand Parent Company’s BusinessCompanies looking forward to growth would unlikely appoint a CIO who is just

technology savvy to head the business unit. The right person for the role of a CIO

should possess in-depth understanding of the parent company business lines, the

political intricacies involved, the needs of customers, current market trends and a

sound knowledge of IT to contribute to enhancing business value. The CIO on

board should be able to forge strong relationships with internal and external

partners to support business growth and development.

4. Hire And Allocate “Service-Oriented” Cloud PersonnelFrom an operational perspective, many enterprises embarking on cloud-based

business model initially struggle because the IT staff is repurposed to serve

external customers and internal users as well. To deal with outside clients, your

business needs certain professional skills and strong service attitude. It is the duty

of a CIO to ensure right from the beginning of a commercial cloud IT operation,

that the service staff is well trained to provide excellent levels of service, to meet

clients’ demands and expectations.

5. Align Strategic Business Initiatives And Manage Big DataTraditional businesses slowly transforming to a cloud-based business model are

hawk-eyed about the benefits offered by the medium to implement IT-based

initiatives such as business analytics, enterprise mobility and cloud computing.

CIOs are required to manage big data by implementing organization-wide

strategies for storing and managing both structured and unstructured data.

Building business-specific data models and defining standardized processes is the

key to success of new cloud-based business.

6. Always Venture With Necessary BackingMere enthusiasm about commercializing your cloud operation is neither going to

lead you as a CIO nor the business anywhere. Stake holders and top management

involvement to approve a new business idea is of critical importance before you

embark on a cloud venture and begin implementation of the idea.

As you begin directing business efforts to meet long-term goals of profitability,

support from critical mass of immediate clients is a must for the operation to break

even. A necessary financial backing with approvals from the top management is a

must before your company gets started on cloud initiatives.

7. Drive Compliance For Enhanced SecurityCloud-based businesses should stay compliant with the security norms and pay

special attention to data security policies. IT teams need to define areas of data

access, secure sources and processes throughout the enterprise, to make the

business audit-ready and user-friendly.

In SummaryCloud presents vast opportunities for CIOs to increase business value. Be it

reinventing cost structure by using a cloud-based business model or expanding

business reach through automation, cloud-based business innovation will be on the

agenda of progressive CIOs.