InformationWeek

August 2, 1999

I have spent the last six years in sales and marketing management with an IT outsourcing company. In my present position, I serve as an outsourced CIO/IT manager to small business (e.g. under 100 nodes). I work (under contract) with many presidents and CFOs in these companies to develop strategies and budgets for network infrastructure, business process analysis, and E-commerce solutions. I believe I have a unique mix of sales and marketing and technical skills to offer the right company. I want to be a CIO. What's the best way to proceed?

Move into technology and do it now. You won't qualify for a CIO position immediately, nor do I think you have the appropriate experience. You need a managerial role in which you can take accountability and ownership for technology initiatives from inception to completion. Once you have had managerial experience, you can trade up and use your process and E-commerce strategy experience for further credibility.

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