CIO Interview: Big changes come from small steps

by Cliff Saran,

ComputerWeekly.com, Thursday 15 March 2007

There are still companies where the IT department is regarded as a back office function - a necessary evil, part of the cost of doing business. But increasingly, IT directors and chief information officers are finding they offer a unique insight, which puts them and their teams at the forefront of business development.

Tania Howarth, CIO of Coca-Cola Europe, is one such CIO. Howarth has expanded her role outside the confines of IT and believes IT should be an integral part of each area of business operation.

At Coca-Cola, Howarth has been spearheading a number of projects focusing on improving operational effectiveness. These have not been restricted to IT operations. "As a CIO you cannot just hide in the technology," said Howarth.

In her experience, organisations are often not equipped to handle change. Business change encompasses process and behavioural change, and Howarth believes the CIO is uniquely placed to orchestrate these changes. "The CIO can see the connection between the different business functions," she said.

The most successful heads of IT are good communicators, are able to display an empathy with the business and are good at managing people. "To be successful at the top of IT you have to be a successful leader and understand the complexity of management."

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