Robert Fort, VP, Information Technology / Divisional CIO at Guitar Center gave this presentation at Pepperdine University’s free conference, “From Information Systems to Innovation Systems: Establishing the Next Generation Information Systems Department,” on Wednesday, October 12, 2011.
Mark invited to speak, said yes immediatelyHarvey – thanks for all he’s doneTalked with Mark about what to sayTalk about anything, tell storiesWill share a few and hope to stimulate some thinking, impart some wisdom
So why are you in this crazy business?Measurement of success is so backwardsWhen interviewing always ask this question.When at cocktail party try to avoid “so what do you do”Meet Lee, computer guyStarted me thinking “what do I do?”
Quoted as saying the CIO’s job is…We are actually more organizational psychologist..Example, business requirements, vendor negotiations, project management…Seems daunting, didn’t study psychologyDon’t worry
It’s easy…Tommy Chong’s testimonial… “what you are looking for is inside you”.Trick is what’s common…Look around the room
We all have feelings.We want to be long. We want to feel we are accomplishing something. We want to be recognized.We want to know where we are going…
I strongly believe in visionOur job as leaders is to offer that vision, over and overPeople will step into the visionMiracles will happen, innovation will occur,Get beyond the transactional, make it fun
NestleManager of AP, kept thinking he was an exception, though he wasn’tGathering business requirements for sales processPeople get their identify from being the exception, we are trying to automate commonalityLeaves, branches, trunkWrestling analogy
AlesisERP system – training$500k shipping problem – two policy changes
VirginStore manager’s presentation – INFLUENCEData warehouseSuccess because we addressed people’s feelings
Announcer this weekendTake all your learnings and BE a leaderTrust the encyclopedia of information you have.. YOUNothing I described was rocket science…