Sechs Ratschläge, wie CIOs vor dem Vorstand bestehen

West advises that presenters focus on only the top five things that matter. Keep it to a 10 minute discussion, he suggests. "Understand when you‘ve closed the sale - and then shut up!", says West.

6. Profitability is the end-goal. "CIOs really have to think like a CEO when presenting to the board", says O’Hare. "For example, it’s not IT cutting costs; it’s about how this cost savings idea fits into the overall cost model and positively contributes to competitive margin." This is what board members want to hear about. As a career development tool, O’Hare regularly involves senior members of his team in prepping for board meetings and providing input on the presentation. One of O’Hare’s senior vice presidents commented that he has learned more in one year of such high-level involvement than he has in 5-10 year spans of his career. O’Hare says: "Focusing on the thought behind the message and how to position it to the board is a skill that will give my team ahead start on future strategic positions."

Carrie Mathews is senior manager, member services, for the CIO Executive Council.