The document discusses how IT innovation can drive business innovation. It notes that innovation is often supported or driven by IT. However, many companies do not staff innovative IT leaders on business innovation teams or expect IT to innovate. The document proposes that companies implement an IT innovation team to evaluate potential innovation projects using criteria of fit, affordability and feasibility. Successful innovation requires good ideas linked to company goals, external partnerships, and seed funding for promising ideas.

1. Finding business relevance in IT. Our Expertise.
A culture of IT innovation
©Excerpts from “The Uncomfortable CEO” book 2013 – J.I.Sordo
(Transforming the business …from innovation thru value realization)
José Ignacio Sordo
Managing Director
Feb 2013

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“Today, innovation is almost always
supported – if not driven – by IT.”
Todd Park
CTO of the United States of America
June 2012

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Why do companies innovate?
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
R&D Revenue Gross Margin
Innovation
Improvements
in existing
services
and products

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A thought provocative experience….
Does your
CORPORATION
expect IT to
innovate?

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NO!!!

6. Have a positive attitude!
All rights reserved. Chicago www.CIOEureka.com Sordo@CIOEureka.com
Innovation has been a journey for many corporations.
However there is a relevant paradox about IT organizations:
Many Business Innovation Teams do not staff an active and creative
IT leader, and when they do, it is merely to get the technical stuff fixed.
IT executives prefer NOT to innovate.
IT executives prefer to control, cost reduction, structure and rigor.

7. Have a positive attitude!
CIO Eureka!, LLC. All rights reserved. Chicago www.CIOEureka.com Sordo@CIOEureka.com
The real issue is how do you cope with it?
….let’s see your reactions…

8. Have a positive attitude!
CIO Eureka!, LLC. All rights reserved. Chicago www.CIOEureka.com Sordo@CIOEureka.com
How do you cope…
Scared???

9. Have a positive attitude!
CIO Eureka!, LLC. All rights reserved. Chicago www.CIOEureka.com Sordo@CIOEureka.com
How do you cope…
Tired???

10. Have a positive attitude!
CIO Eureka!, LLC. All rights reserved. Chicago www.CIOEureka.com Sordo@CIOEureka.com
How do you cope…
Overwhelmed???

11. Have a positive attitude!
CIO Eureka!, LLC. All rights reserved. Chicago www.CIOEureka.com Sordo@CIOEureka.com
How do you cope…
Confused???

12. Have a positive attitude!
CIO Eureka!, LLC. All rights reserved. Chicago www.CIOEureka.com Sordo@CIOEureka.com
Five characteristics which define business innovation
Risk
Wealth
Sustained time
Diversity
Selection
• It is just like "walking off the cliff
blindfolded". However, the higher
the risk, the greater the reward.
• Must create perceived benefits
(i.e. shareholders value).
• Time to grow-up, develop and
evolve into something valuable.
• A combination of diverse ideas
into new domains.
• The best will win. Even slight
advantages are important when
selected.

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1) The IT Innovation team will collect an initial list of projects from our broad based of
market driven community and existing COE, and team requests and will prioritize and
scorecard the Innovation Funnel using the following methodology:
• FIT - Does the initiative fit with our company strategy.
• AFFORDABILITY – Do we believe that the initial ROI is relevant enough for us
to dedicate team time and resources.
• FEASIBILITY - Does the team believe it is feasible to complete this request
with existing resources and IT advancement.
2) The innovation team will apply the score carding process to evaluate each opportunity.
This process will occur each trimester delivering recommendations of which 3 would be
selected as new innovation projects for that period.
F A F

14. F A F

15. The 4F’s from Latin America
• Focus
• Foreseeing Crisis
• Frugality
• Force Choices

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Big, predictable, profitable innovation equals:
 Good ideas, linked to company goals, flowing friction-
free across the company.
 Times the multiplier of external connections with best-
of-breed IT partners.
 Divided by Fit-Affordability-Feasibility selection criteria.
 Elevated to seed funding so good ideas get oxygen
fast.
A culture of IT Innovation…

17. CIO Eureka!, LLC. All rights reserved. Chicago www.CIOEureka.com Info@CIOEureka.com
About CIO Eureka!
A Chicago-based IT Executive Consulting firm with demonstrated success developing value to our clients. Our
philosophy focuses on:
(1) Being a business leadership firm with expertise in IT.
(2) Open and transparent communication to explain complex IT challenges in simple business terms.
(3) Shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality.
We work with our clients to add value by taking genuine ownership of IT related problems and delivering robust
recommendations. We provide them with seasoned and hands-on CIO expertise designing and executing the most
relevant IT strategy. Bottom line, we deliver business-relevant value!
José Ignacio Sordo
Managing Director
Specializes in IT strategy and management,
transforming the business model, IT innovation and
running IT like a business

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How to contact us?
info@CIOEureka.com
+1 (513) 319.4729
@CIOEureka
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