Managing IT as a Business: A Survival Guide for CEOs [Hardcover]

Mark Lutchen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 13, 2003

With Managing IT as a Business you'll get practical advice on how to unleash the full potential of this critical function so that companies can derive maximum benefit. It offers a proven plan for bridging the gap between CEOs and CIOs that has, until now, impeded their ability to work together in order to craft objectives, establish budget guidelines, and develop metrics for measuring IT value and success. In short, with this book as a guide, business leaders will learn how to manage IT as they would any other functional business unit.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Typically, information technology ranks highly among most companies’ top five expenditures. Yet IT continues to be one of the least understood and most poorly managed areas in business. While all executives recognize the importance of technology as a means of improving customer service and of making work more efficient, few understand how to leverage IT strategically and how to use it as a driver of business success.

Managing IT as a Business provides executives with practical advice on how to unleash the full potential of this critical function so that companies can derive maximum benefit. It offers a proven plan for bridging the gap between CEOs and CIOs that has, until now, impeded their ability to work together in order to craft objectives, establish budget guidelines, and develop metrics for measuring IT value and success. In short, with this book as a guide, business leaders will learn how to manage IT as they would any other functional business unit.

Through numerous case studies that outline the lessons other senior executives have learned while maximizing their IT investment, Managing IT as a Business covers such essentials as:

• Bringing IT into the mainstream of the enterprise
• Managing IT as a stand-alone business unit that advances corporate goals and increases profits
• Linking IT strategy to corporate strategy from a perspective of practical execution rather than theory
• Helping business units define their technology needs and risks, and enhance IT services through rigorous relationship management
• Institutionalizing within IT a culture of customer service, on-time delivery, high quality, and results-oriented performance
• Rewarding IT executives and managers based on how well IT initiatives drive profits

In today’s hypercompetitive business environment, long-term success depends on quality customer service and information management. As a key driver of that success, IT has become increasingly important to any company’s survival. Embedding business-oriented performance measurements in all components of the IT organization may not be easy, but no forward-thinking executive can afford to ignore this business imperative.

In Managing IT as a Business, Mark D. Lutchen offers CEOs the insight and practical guidance they need to get the most out of technology spending, to understand the real value of the IT business unit, and to increase revenues and minimize risks by taking advantage of new technologies. If information technology is to fufill its promise, executives need to prepare for fundamental change by questioning the way they currently think about–and manage–IT. For those seeking answers to such questions, this invaluable book is the definitive resource.

From the Back Cover

"More than a survival guide for CEOs, Managing IT as a Business provides a framework for properly leveraging IT and does so in a concise, well-sourced, and eminently readable format. This book is a must-read for all successful executives!"
–Donard P. Gaynor
Former CFO, SVP-HR, CIO, and Reengineering Leader
The Seagram Spirits and Wine Group

"Mark Lutchen offers up some important guidance to the CIO on how to bring IT into the mainstream of the business and how the CIO can make the transition from tech guru and administrator to a full member of the executive team."
–Marinus N. Henny
Vice Chairman and CFO
Universal Music Group

"Mark Lutchen thinks like an operating executive. He recognizes that IT costs are a major line item in any corporate budget and that these costs must be viewed as a means to building a business rather than an end. He knows that this happens when CEOs and CIOs communicate effectively. That’s what Managing IT as a Business is all about."
–Kenneth Roman
Former Chairman and CEO
Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide

"Lutchen’s insights are practical and actionable. In fact, CEOs and other executives traversing the IT minefield will find no more authoritative guide than Managing IT as a Business."
–Paul Turner
Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer
AMS

"Increasingly, CIOs are being asked to join the ranks of top management. In Managing IT as a Business, Mark Lutchen offers CEOs a powerful perspective on how to leverage IT as a strategic tool. For CIOs, he cogently addresses the leadership skills they need to be full and effective members of the business-strategy team."
–Glen Urban
Dean Emeritus and Chairman of the Center for eBusiness
MIT Sloan School of Management

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (October 13, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471471046
• ISBN-13: 978-0471471042
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #562,082 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for IT professionals developing a career roadmap, March 27, 2004

By 

Joe Santana (NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Managing IT as a Business: A Survival Guide for CEOs (Hardcover)

This is a fabulous book for experienced or aspiring IT managers whose goal is to prepare for ascension through the ranks, especially to the CIO level. In simple yet rich language, Mark presents a clear picture of the future of the IT organization and the competencies needed in the CIO and senior team heading up this professional services operation. The examples and case studies are rich with insights. In short, this book is pragmatic and weighty, yet also highly readable and I dare say outright enjoyable. I highly recommend it as a must read for anyone who wants to develop an effective IT career roadmap. Thank you Mark Lutchen.

Joe Santana,
Co-author Manage IT

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pragmatic and clear., June 23, 2005

By 

K. Bhagavan "Book worm" (Los Altos, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Managing IT as a Business: A Survival Guide for CEOs (Hardcover)

I have only one simple statement - where were you Mark when I started my IT career 17 years ago? Today I would have been a CIO! I highly recommend this book for those starting out their careers in IT as it gives a big picture look to the field. Own it and refer to the clear and relevant graphics in the book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The concept of "IT as a business unit" is finally expressed!, November 9, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Managing IT as a Business: A Survival Guide for CEOs (Hardcover)

"Managing IT as a Business" will help senior business management executives understand how to view and manage the Information Technology (IT) organization. How should IT be structured and aligned to support the business vision? What does IT really cost? The author, Mark Lutchen, has developed an IT management "lens" framework to view the critical drivers of IT success. This framework provides an excellent way for business management to think about what IT needs to accomplish.

The book really delivers its value through nine key initiatives for the business and the IT organization to realize the full potential of IT resources. Mr. Lutchen's use of case studies involving considerable business issues and applied IT management solutions, has helped me visualize how these initiatives can dramatically impact a business. The author's coverage of issues such as IT governance, alignment, organization structure, spend, investment cycles, and focus on outcomes are precise and timely, given the mixed success that IT professional management has progressed in corporations today.

I think what is unique about the author's perspective is his experience not only as an IT management consultant, but a Global CIO for one of the big-4 accounting firms. Business and financial management are key underlying themes in this book. You will find this book insightful and thought-provoking, enabling a business leader to establish and leverage a more powerful IT organization.