Mark P. McDonaldThis is the choice facing many CIOs and IT executives as they start their planning for 2010. After a year dominated by budget cutting and the GFC (Global Financial Crisis), the coming year can easily bring more of the same. The question facing CIOs who have concentrated on cutting costs is simply this – now what?
Over the past two months in meeting with CIOs, that question gets expressed in different ways from what is the future of IT and what should my IT organization look like to discussions about career futures. The question is on people’s minds as it is entirely within the realm of possibility that 2010 will be like 2009, only with more pressure on costs.
Hence the choice that CIOs face “cold comfort” in terms of another round of budget squeezing after this years, or “change” and recognizing that while it is possible for things to go another year or two as is, perhaps there is a need to change IT, our view of IT, its future direction, etc.
The phrase “cold comfort for change” comes from Pink Floyd’s “Wish you were here” from the album of the same name. Here is a link to a site with lyrics to the song: http://tinyurl.com/73bgu (just found it on Google) If you know the song then you know that the singer is comparing different choices we face.
The song, written back in 1975, concentrated on the Vietnam War and the turmoil back then. I am in now way saying that the world today is like it was back then, but we do face a choice as IT leaders.
It is interesting how lyrics of classic rock songs often contain wisdom for every day managers. I guess that is what makes the songs classic.
The next few blog entries will talk about the changes and the cold comfort. CIOs do face the choice. They can take a “a walk on part in the enterprise” or they can take a “lead role in the change.”
I know I changed the lyric, interested in the choices that you are considering as you prepare for 2010.
Category: CIO Economy Leadership Strategy Tags: 2010 agenda, CIO Leadership, Strategy and Planning
1 response so far ↓
1 kyle December 5, 2011 at 10:21 am
I believe the song was written about Syd Barrett.. a childhood friend of the man who wrote the song, and former pink floyd member. Barrett cut all ties with the band as he suffered with schizophrenia. But of course, the meaning of the song, is determined by the listener, not the writer
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