Commentary

When Diane Schwarz became CIO of Textron in 2013, the company had a Chairman’s Award for innovation which focused on product and services innovation, but it had no awards for innovation in IT. As part of a drive toward instilling a culture of...

A techie’s Thanksgiving prayer to the Great CIO in the Sky: As we gather this Thanksgiving to share time with family, friends and food, let us count the blessings of our digital age… using zeros and ones only, of course. We are thankful for some...

Most high impact entrepreneurs need capital to build their businesses. The amount of capital, and the timing of the infusion(s), is mostly a function of the kind of business/business model and the time it takes to get home – that is to an exit...

In manufacturing processes, the rate at which goods or parts can be made, or throughput, is perhaps the most important metric for a factory. Faster production allows for more orders and subsequently more revenue. Therefore, manufacturers should try to produce as fast as possible, right?...

A general focuses on the battlefield and where the enemy is coming from, while the soldier in the foxhole keeps his sight within a 10-yard perimeter. In a similar vein, business leaders must understand the lay of a more expansive external environment while others define...

Many companies walk backward into digital in the sense that they are wrapping their existing processes and operations in a digital wet blanket. But doing old things with new technology doesn’t represent innovation. Upgrading the past with plans to replace it in the near future...

At the end of last year, I moved on from my role as CIO of a large construction company. It was the first time in my career that I ever stepped away from a good job without having a new role to move to. The...

The word audacity comes to mind when I think of the fine line brand leaders must walk. Audacious actions can mean bold and courageous, which will build brand awareness and positive feelings. Audacious can also refer to impudent or cheeky, detracting from the brand’s image....