Chief information officers are busy people, and they often feel tied to projects in the office and upgrades in the data center. But by getting out of the office a CIO can explore an environment where she will hear things she wouldn't otherwise hear in the IT shop, writes Jonathan Feldman in an article at Information Week.

"When you're responsible for IT at an organization, all the problems eventually roll up to your inbox in a funnel-like effect," says Feldman. However, the CIO shouldn't get bogged down in operations.

"You must get out of that comfy corner office regularly and interact with the various communities you belong to--customers, partners, peers--if you want to do anybody any good," he advises.

Conferences are just one way for CIOs to get out of their box and bounce ideas off people who are truly experts in their given fields.

Even if a CIO attends a conference as a presenter or takes on the role of an expert, it can be beneficial. Presenting strategies to others can help affirm what a CIO believes and test her logic, as attendees will likely have many questions as to whether a case holds water, writes Feldman.

For more:
- read this Information Week article

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