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"Estrella Partners has been established as a consortium of senior level executives and thus
by default we have resources that have been CIOs and COOs, as well as CEOs, COOs,
CFOs, Chief Technical Architects, and Chief Risk Officers of major firms in various
industries from Banking, Insurance, Retail, and Professional Services."
Source : Estrella Partners Group LLC
The Need and Value of a CIO Coach
Business Vision is also known as :
Business Vision Accounting,
Business Vision Definition,
Business Vision Document,
Business Vision Example,
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Business Vision Mission,
Business Vision Network,
Business Vision Plan,
Business Vision Software,
Business Vision Statements,
Business Vision Template,
Business Vision Strategies,
Business Vision Development,
Business Vision Customer,
Business Vision Technologies,
Business Vision Creativity,
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Business Vision Training,
Business Vision Custom,
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Business Vision Insurance,
Business Vision Overview,
Business Vision Program,
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Business Vision Whitepapers,
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Business Vision Runs,
Business Vision Services,
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Business Development Vision,
Business Plan Vision,
Business Strategy Vision,
Vision Business Concepts,
Creating a Business Vision,
Define Business Vision,
Dynamic Business Vision.
By Harvey Fain and Doug Schwinn
Associate Partner(s)
June 2009
An Estrella Partners Group White Paper
Introduction
In today’s challenging economic environment companies require effective IT
executive leadership. As businesses evolve and develop new strategies for growth
they often find limitations in their current technology and business practices.
In many cases the business determines that their current IT systems and business
processes are outdated and not aligned with their evolving strategic business
goals, market needs, and regulatory requirements.
As part of the executive team, a CIO develops and executes strategies that
create competitive advantages for revenue growth. A CIO is the link between the
company vision and the implementation of the strategy through technology.
Because they understand both the aspects of business and technology, CIOs
develop IT governance programs and execute strategies to effectively resolve
current issues, and provide platforms for future growth.
Many facets of today’s dynamic business environment mandate that a company’s
IT department and infrastructure evolve in step with the business. Effective IT
leadership recognizes when the timing is appropriate to make investments in
application platforms and infrastructure to enable the business to deliver on
its growth objectives.
The Problem
Knowing how, when and which tools to use to protect the current assets,
maintain the current operation and migrate into the future require a specialized
skill-set. Organizations often find themselves facing key decisions in the
following situations, which they may not be prepared for:
- Major Business / IT Transformation effort currently ongoing or
anticipated
- Merger/Acquisition integration
- Major IT Investment effort currently ongoing or anticipated
- IT organization is not currently aligned with the Business Vision of the
organization
- IT not providing return on Investment as expected by management and/or
the business
- IT performance inadequate in the eyes of management and/or the business
- IT projects consistently overrunning budget and/or schedule
- IT Organizational/Staff Assessment needs to be conducted
- Lack of an IT succession plan in place that is approved and executable;
with the associated leadership development plans.
- IT Governance / Change Management Assessment required to align with
strategy
- Risk Assessment (Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery) is out of date
or non-existent
- CIO resigned and/or current vacancy
A Better Way
Our experienced consultants have the demonstrated background and the ability
to deliver results. We will partner with the executive team to provide solutions
that are focused on reducing IT costs and complexity while improving IT
governance and business performance.
Estrella Partners’ objective is to provide global businesses and investment
firms with highly skilled executives to meet short term challenges. It may be a
couple of months or a couple of years – the point is, your need is not permanent
and your requirements are best served with an interim management solution.
Estrella Partners has the experience to assist clients across various
industries with the difficult choices required to transform their IT
organizations. Our CIO Coaching and Interim CIO Services have been developed to
support clients rapidly and sustainably transforming their IT function into a
strategic enabler and a best-in-class customer-focused service organization.
Our professionals have been effective, hands-on CIOs and leading IT
executives of major organizations across various industries. As your interim
CIO, Estrella Partners is part of your team; fulfilling your IT executive
leadership needs. We will assist you to define, develop and execute a roadmap to
transform your enterprise IT organization into a best-in-class asset for the
business. A typical engagement would consist of a 3 phase approach:
Phase I – Understand the Environment and Issues
A senior team of Estrella Consultants will work with the client to understand
the Business Vision and Strategy. The team will interview key executives to
understand the issues facing the client and the desired state required to
support the client’s strategy. A complete understanding of the financial and
operating results will be a cornerstone as the team prepares the roadmap for a
revamped and sustainable IT organization.
Team members will work closely with the IT management team to understand the
current IT organization, technology landscape and IT Project Portfolio. It is
critical to clearly understand the IT Governance strategy and change management
processes. IT Capital and Operating Expense budgets will be reviewed to assist
in the identification of both short and long-term opportunities for
optimization.
At the end of this phase we will deliver a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses,
Opportunities and Threats) report with our Preliminary findings: Gap Analysis,
Expense/Capital cost reduction opportunities and Organizational/Staff
recommendations.
Phase II – Evaluate/Assess
The Estrella Partners team will continue to interview selected client
functional area management in order to obtain a detailed understanding of the IT
business alignment. The team will begin preparing a roadmap to rapidly and
sustainably deliver a business process and Governance strategy that effectively
aligns the IT function with the business vision and strategy.
An analysis of
Service Level Agreements/Objectives and performance will be completed and a
preliminary strategy will be prepared to improve Service Levels and Customer
satisfaction levels.
An analysis of the IT Organization and staff
capabilities will be conducted and a gap analysis of positions and incumbent
capabilities will be completed. A preliminary roadmap to close the gaps
identified will be prepared and staff training plan developed.
An analysis of
the IT Project Management Office and IT Project Portfolio will be conducted to
determine alignment with the business goals and performance to budget and Return
On Investment. Gaps will be identified and a roadmap to create alignment and
return on investment for development projects will be prepared.
An analysis
of existing Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery plans and tests will also
be conducted. A Risk Assessment will be prepared with recommendations to close
identified gaps.
Capital and Operating Expense results will be evaluated and
a comprehensive plan to reduce costs and improve capital utilization will be
prepared.
Phase III – Prepare Plans/Recommendations
At the end of this
phase we will deliver our final Recommendations and Plans.
A complete and
actionable plan for the operation of the IT Organization and a Governance
strategy that will insure that the business vision and goals drive the
investment strategy for IT will be delivered.
A defined end-state Technology
and Network Strategy that specifically identifies Service Level Objectives and
Financial measurements for IT will be delivered.
A roadmap to
improve/upgrade the IT Organization and staff capabilities will also be
delivered. Additionally, a gap analysis will be prepared to identify new/open
positions required to create a sustainable Enterprise IT Organization.
A gap
analysis of the IT Project Portfolio will be prepared that will identify
potential projects/systems to be eliminated and projects/systems required to
align with the business vision.
A Scalable and Sustainable IT Organization
In summary, this approach, milestones, deliverables executed by seasoned
executives will allow the business to create a sustainable IT function that can
evolve as the business changes and continue to deliver solutions that are
aligned with identified business benefits.
Success in IT requires leadership
with both technological "know-how" and a strategic perspective. We have the
proven ability to deliver that rare combination of IT operations experience and
innovative leadership, which drive desired results and solid returns on
technology spend
We will deliver proven leadership with the experience and
capacity to transform a company's IT capabilities, aligning your technology
investments with your business goals
We will provide a team of strategy and
technology professionals who will rapidly integrate into your operations and
build partnering relationships with the executive team to improve overall IT
performance.
Estrella Partners can accelerate the alignment of your
technology operations with your overall company strategy. Our management
experience will help you optimize the structure of your existing IT
organization, resulting in higher output per person and a renewed sense of
ownership from each individual.
We understand the challenges, the risks and
costs associated with technology-centric initiatives. Our professionals are
adept at providing thought leadership, effectively navigating organizations and
managing vendors to rapidly achieve the desired results. We have hands-on
experience evaluating significant IT capital and operational expenditures,
prioritizing and allocating IT resources, and promoting joint sponsorship and
responsibility with the business stakeholders for the success of initiatives.
About Estrella Partners Group
Estrella Partners Group LLC is a consortium of
proven, senior-level executives who possess the ability to understand their
clients’ complex business problems, develop creative solutions to these
problems, and effectively help them implement these solutions. Each
member of the Estrella team contributes a unique combination of skills and style
to Estrella Partners. Each was selected not only because of his or her abilities
and openness to collaboration, but above all, because of their inherent
commitment to client service and dedication to client success.
Estrella
Partners is focused on assisting clients identify revenue opportunities and
increase operational efficiency through the use of Organization Change
Management, Program Management, Risk Management, and Green Advisory Services.
We are an organization that treats its clients with the utmost respect,
honesty, and professionalism - all with better than competitive rates. Our
resources have the hands-on experience necessary to lead client teams or manage
projects that are beyond our client’s internal team’s comfort level.
We are
supported by a dynamic group of professionals that encompass both deep industry
and functional subject matter expertise with a proven track record of providing
exceptional value as trusted advisors.
About the Author(s)
Doug Schwinn is
an experienced manager with over 15 years of senior management and 30 years of
information technology experience across various industries and in a global
environment. Doug was previously the CIO at Hasbro, as well as other firms
including OfficeMax. Doug has successfully implemented organizational change
within technical projects to drive efficiencies and long-term return on
investment. Doug has experience on the ground as an ex-pat managing
organizational change and effectiveness in multi-cultural global
companies. As an experienced member of senior management teams, Doug has
participated in and managed strategic planning projects. Doug has earned his BS
and MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Harvey Fain has an
Electrical Engineering degree from Pratt Institute. He has over 40 years of
management experience overseeing Information Systems utilizing state-of-the-art
technology in medium and large-scale projects from the perspective of employee,
consultant and Board member. Harvey is recognized for his unique skill of being
able to interpret technology issues and translate them into a business focused
strategic vision. This skill enables Harvey to evaluate the effectiveness of a
technology organization and rationalize its strengths and opportunities against
alternative sourcing methods. The net result is the provision of business
oriented plans that maximize the return from technology investments. The
majority of Harvey’s career has been in the consulting field. In part, his past
clients have included global players such as; Western Union, AT&T, Tokyo Marine
Management, Telecom Italia, and Pearson Education. Former CIO of HealthStreams
Technology Inc. (largest health care company in Canada) and former Hasbro Inc.
Chief Information Security and SOX Officer. In addition, Harvey has served as a
member of the Board of Directors for both FoxMeyer Corporation and Ben Franklin
Retail Stores.
For further information, Contact;
Al Uretsky, Managing
Partner
Estrella Partners Group, LLC
Tel.: (623) 594-9283
auretsky@estrellapartners.com
Web site: www.estrellapartners.com
Table of Contents
- INTRODUCTION
- THE PROBLEM
- A BETTER WAY
- PHASE I – UNDERSTAND THE ENVIRONMENT AND ISSUES
- PHASE II – EVALUATE/ASSESS
- PHASE III – PREPARE PLANS/RECOMMENDATIONS
- A SCALABLE AND SUSTAINABLE IT ORGANIZATION
- ABOUT ESTRELLA PARTNERS GROUP
- ABOUT THE AUTHOR(S)
- FOR FURTHER INFORMATION