CTO and Company Culture


Previous sections described how the CTO could contribute to strategy, acquisitions, media relations, government committees, and academic research. But, the CTO can also serve an important role in creating the internal culture. The CTO should initiate activities and policies that create a technology-friendly culture aligned with the company's business strategy.

Other technology leaders throughout a company may create policies and practices that attempt to attract and retain the highest quality people available. However, if these are not aligned with the corporate business strategy, they may attract excellent people who are not able to contribute to business objectives.

The CTO should insure that policies and practices are constructed to attract the right kind, right number, and right placement of technologists. This will require the establishment of formal and informal networks to implement the policies and to insure that they are aligned throughout the company. (58) These networks will also serve as the conduits through which corporate vision and direction can be communicated.

Informal networks of technologists can be used to mediate organizational problems that extend beyond the control of operational managers. In some companies these networks tend to catalyze unofficial practices that are aimed at improving internal performance. Lewis reports the mergence of internal publications, technical seminars, lists of known experts, and technical expositions. (58)




The CTO Handbook. The Indispensable Technology Leadership Resource for Chief Technology Officers
The CTO Handbook/Job Manual: A Wealth of Reference Material and Thought Leadership on What Every Manager Needs to Know to Lead Their Technology Team
ISBN: 1587623676
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2003
Pages: 213

flylib.com © 2008-2017.
If you may any questions please contact us: flylib@qtcs.net