Technology

Thursday Buzz: Is Your IT Chief a Visionary?

An association tech insider says technical skills aren’t the only thing needed to run an IT department in 2017. Also: What first-time event planners should know.

It’s not just about having someone in charge of the IT department. That someone needs to have a strategic mind to keep your innovation flowing.

A recent post by Delcor’s David DeLorenzo makes the case that a CIO mindset—that is, someone who can strategize and manage an increasingly outsourced network of vendors—is essential for associations to succeed on an innovation front.

“As the digital landscape rapidly changes the association technology stack, many organizations are seeking more than an operational IT leader whose experience is in the network architecture world,” DeLorenzo writes. “Instead, they’re focused on finding a strategic leader who has a more visionary approach and sees technology as a business solution.”

In his post, DeLorenzo breaks down exactly what that kind of leadership entails. Does your head of IT have a skill set like that?

A Little Advice

If you’re new to planning events, getting going can prove a big challenge, and it’s good to have some insight from folks who have already been in the thick of it.

Which is why BizBash’s recent “Readers’ Forum” piece, which features event pros offering advice to folks putting on their first major event is such a compelling read. One highlighted piece of advice from SAP Events Strategic Director Richard Rogers:

“Don’t break it. ‘Major’ events have a certain amount of inertia and a team of people that have a stake in the program. Don’t try to make sweeping changes right away. The program is successful for a reason.”

Check out the post for a few more.

iPhone user with an interest in privacy? This guide from Lifehacker will help you ensure you’re keeping your info safe.

Twitter’s next move to stop trolls? It’s effectively throttling the reach of people who have been deemed abusive by its network—making it so that only their direct followers can read their comments.

Speaking of social networks, Facebook is launching a job board—which means, if you already have one, you have some major new competition.

(iStock/Thinkstock)

Ernie Smith

By Ernie Smith

Ernie Smith is a former senior editor for Associations Now. MORE

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