Paul Coby, a chief information officer (CIO) with over 25 years of experience at top UK companies like British Airways, John Lewis, Johnson Matthey, and Persimmon Homes, has distilled his knowledge into a comprehensive handbook for IT leaders.
Originally conceived in 2005 during a tedious meeting, The digital leader’s playbook has evolved over the years to encompass 62 maxims covering various aspects of IT leadership.
In this excerpt, Coby emphasizes the importance of CIOs loving the business they work for, prioritizing IT service for executives, and recognizing the value of top technical specialists. He also stresses the need for CIOs to reduce IT costs annually, focus on total cost of ownership, and maintain strong relationships with both internal staff and external suppliers.
Coby highlights the significance of people over technology, emphasizing the importance of building relationships and trust within the organization. He also discusses the role of CIOs in driving business transformation, simplifying IT communication, and managing IT costs efficiently.
Ultimately, Coby underscores the importance of valuing both internal IT teams and external suppliers, as well as nurturing and rewarding top technical talent within the organization.
For more insights, Coby’s book The digital leader’s playbook is available on Amazon in the UK and the US, as well as through bookshops.
