Boards begin to pay attention to CIOs

With Sarbanes-Oxley and financial scandals in the news on a regular basis now, independent director boards are increasingly curious about how CIOs are running their shops and spending precious resources. According to Jack Capers, a partner in the Atlanta office of law firm King & Spalding and a member of the firm's Mergers & Acquisitions Practice Group, directors now see the IT department not just as a repository of key data and process insight, but also as a key resource for risk management. As a result, there has been a new trend in seeking CIO participation in boardroom discussions.  It's a trend that is likely to continue. "I believe there will be an increase in communication with the CIO," Capers tells CIO Update. So, how can you prepare for the call upstairs? Board members generally appreciate less technical explanations. When speaking to the board, always tie technology to the business and engage in discussions rather than presentations. Most importantly, before going in front of the board, rehearse and make certain that your presentations are fast-paced and informative. This is not the time to wing it, say the experts.

For more advice on how to present to the board:
- see the article in CIO Update