2018 is just around the corner, bringing with it some significant pressures for business executives, who need to learn how to survive in an ever-changing world of digital transformation and market saturation.
As new technologies and business models continue to emerge, CIOs need to discover a way that they can stay ahead of existing and emerging competition in their space. This means selecting the right tools out of a host of options all the way from cloud computing, to machine learning, IoT, and predictive analysis. When managed properly, these new technologies can deliver some incredible results, including more dynamic and reliable products, lower costs, and enhanced supply chains. With that in mind, what should CIO's be prioritising for 2018?
1. Leading the Way to Digital Transformation
Today, most companies know that they need to embrace digital transformation or be left behind by swarms of evolving enterprises. Either you can figure out how you're going to use technology in your space to outpace and outperform their competitors, or you could risk losing your entire customer base to someone more willing to make the effort.
According to a CIO Agenda survey, less than 40% of CIOs are currently overseeing digital transformation efforts. However, in spite of this, 55% of the companies without a pre-existing program for digital transformation suggest that they have less than a year to make a change.
2. Living the Goal of "Customer-Centricity"
Speaking of transforming companies, we've entered a period in the evolution of enterprises where it's no longer enough to simply serve customers. Today, consumers are more empowered than ever, and they expect organisations to structure themselves around the ideals of customer-centricity and experience.
Today, only around 57% of CIOs are saying that "customers" are their top priority. While this is a good shift upwards from only 45% in 2015, it's still not enough to ensure success for many customers. By the end of 2018, every CIO should be spending at least 20% of their time with their customers.
3. Discovering the Benefits of AI
Artificial Intelligence is still in a state of evolution right now, but that doesn't mean that you should simply be ignoring it. Around one-third of large companies will be employing smart machines by 2021 according to Gartner. In fact, machine learning solutions are already a significant part of many businesses.
