Re-making IT in a downturn

It's been a while since my last blog and like others I am still trying to make sense of what is going on in the world as a result of the financial downturn. I read an interesting article in The Times that challenged the often-quoted view that equities are the best place to invest over a period of about 10 years.

The question it raises for me is how many CIOs are working with their peers to review how appropriate is their organisation's business model in the current climate. I know from my own experiences as a European CIO that this is not an easy discussion but it is really insightful and motivating if you can make it work. You need to be willing to put forward radical ideas and to test these with forward-thinking colleagues.

Another option is to stimulate a broader portfolio discussion by considering what IT investments are needed and why. I have been invited to participate in a web seminar with Computing’s sister-publication Accountancy Age this Wednesday 11 March around the topic Funding IT in the current economic climate.

There are of course some good practices for investments in any climate but some of these are more important in the tough times. I am looking forward to a strong debate.