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LIVE from Gartner IT Symposium: How Mid-Size CIOs Can Create Growth and Innovation

A moment of opportunity.
Emily Hill
Contributing Writer
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Following years of upheaval, mid-size enterprises now find themselves operating in a “post-disruption” environment. While the immediate impact of the pandemic has waned, this new phase presents both challenges and opportunities for CIOs.

From evolving business strategies to the rapid ascent of transformative technologies like AI, the landscape is shifting under their feet.

CIOs must act swiftly, leveraging technology to drive growth, manage talent, and align with the evolving demands of their organizations.

At the Gartner IT Symposium, Joseph Provenza, a Distinguished VP Analyst at Gartner, outlined a clear roadmap for mid-size enterprise CIOs. His insights focused on how IT leaders can harness limited windows of opportunity to shape their organizations’ futures.

Growth and Technology: The Twin Priorities

A key message in Provenza’s talk was the growing emphasis on organizational growth, a priority for CEOs that has reached a decade-long high. Despite persistent economic uncertainty—from rising interest rates to inflation—the demand for growth remains unwavering.

CEOs are laser-focused on expanding revenues and achieving strategic objectives, but there’s an important caveat: technology has become a critical enabler of this growth.

Provenza emphasized that technology is no longer a support function but a central pillar of business strategy. For mid-size enterprises, IT has evolved into a growth driver, with CEOs identifying technology as the second-most important priority, just behind revenue generation​.

This shift represents a golden opportunity for CIOs to align IT strategies with broader business goals. Provenza highlighted that investments in digital capabilities, particularly in areas like automation and AI, are now top priorities for CEOs. CIOs who successfully integrate technological solutions to fuel growth will be viewed as key strategic partners rather than operational support.

The AI Revolution: Promise and Peril

Of all the technological trends discussed, artificial intelligence (AI) dominated the conversation, with 56% of CEOs ranking it as the most transformative technology for the next three years​.

While AI’s potential is well-recognized, it also introduces a new set of complexities for CIOs, particularly concerning data governance, reliability, and security.

Provenza warned that AI is not a plug-and-play solution.

Its implementation requires careful planning, a robust data infrastructure, and a disciplined approach to managing its impact. CIOs must first understand the specific value AI can bring to their organizations—whether in operational efficiencies, customer service enhancements, or revenue growth—before diving headlong into its adoption. Ensuring that their data infrastructure can handle the demands of AI is crucial, as poor data quality could undermine even the most advanced AI systems.

Equally important is talent.

AI requires specialized skills, and without the right team to develop, govern, and sustain these systems, mid-size enterprises may struggle to fully capitalize on AI’s potential. Provenza urged CIOs to build their IT teams’ capabilities now, ahead of the anticipated AI-driven talent shortage in the coming years​.

Talent: Preparing for the Next Shortage

While the talent situation has improved since the pandemic-induced “Great Resignation,” Provenza foresees a potential shortfall as demand for advanced technological skills—especially around AI—grows​.

Mid-size enterprises must act now to avoid the looming shortage of qualified IT professionals.

Provenza offered actionable advice for CIOs: Beyond competing with larger firms on salary and benefits, mid-size enterprises can differentiate themselves by investing in training and career development opportunities.

By fostering a culture of learning and providing clear paths for advancement, CIOs can build a more loyal and capable workforce. This investment not only enhances employee retention but also prepares the organization for future technology implementations.

Furthermore, Provenza emphasized that CIOs should not overlook the importance of soft skills.

As IT teams increasingly become integrated into strategic conversations, skills such as communication, critical thinking, and leadership will become just as important as technical expertise.

Strategic Alignment: Bridging IT and Business Goals

One of the most critical challenges CIOs face is aligning IT strategy with the broader business objectives of their organizations.

Provenza noted that a staggering 44% of IT strategies lack clear business context, and 78% fail to articulate specific business goals​. This disconnect often hampers the ability of CIOs to demonstrate the value of IT investments to other C-suite executives.

As CEOs reassess their strategies in this post-disruption era, Provenza identified this moment as a pivotal “window of opportunity” for CIOs.

IT leaders must work closely with their CEO and CFO counterparts, translating IT initiatives into business outcomes that resonate with their growth objectives. By framing IT expenditures around ROI and measurable business benefits—such as improving customer experience or enhancing operational efficiency—CIOs can build stronger cases for necessary investments.

Clear communication is also vital.

Provenza highlighted that too often, discussions around IT budgets are bogged down by technical jargon that alienates other C-suite executives. To overcome this, CIOs need to present their case in straightforward business terms, focusing on how IT spending will drive growth, innovation, or cost savings.

The Wrap

Mid-size enterprise CIOs are at a critical juncture.

Whether managing the complexities of AI, addressing potential talent shortages, or aligning IT with business strategies, CIOs have a unique opportunity to become enablers of growth.

Provenza’s parting message was clear: This is a moment of opportunity for CIOs.

By focusing on financial transparency, engaging in strategic conversations, and preparing their organizations for future technological demands, CIOs can solidify their position as key drivers of business success in the years ahead.

“We are no longer just cost centers—we are strategic partners. This is our time.”

Joseph Provenza

CIOs who seize this moment will not only drive technological innovation but will also play a crucial role in shaping the future success of their organizations.

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