The pressure is on for IT directors to understand the strategic value of IT – and what they can do to help meet the demands of the enterprise.

1. From KPIs to
Outcomes –
The Shift from
Service Delivery
to Strategy
IT leaders need to grasp new
opportunities to deliver on the
strategic value of IT across
the enterprise.

2. IT leaders are under
increasing pressure
to understand the
strategic value of IT
within their organisations.
Why is this?
xenith.co.uk

3. At every level of the
enterprise, IT has lost
its monopoly over IT
expertise. And most, if
not all, senior managers
now demonstrate a
much greater awareness
of emerging technologies
than they did in the past.
xenith.co.uk

4. The board
expects IT
to be able to
engage at a
strategic
level.
xenith.co.uk

5. Meanwhile, as businesses
continue to migrate to
cloud-based and hosted services,
IT departments
are freed up
from the labour-intensive support and
maintenance of on-premise systems to
address the strategic value of IT.
xenith.co.uk

6. For some IT managers the
transition, from day-to-day
service delivery to harnessing
the strategic value of IT in a
more business-centric role,
is a steep and often
slippery learning curve.
xenith.co.uk

7. This is forcing many IT leaders
out of the realms of traditional
IT management and into a
much broader business role.
This often requires
a sharp shift in
both mindset
and skillset.
xenith.co.uk

8. The idea of IT
directors making
a more strategic
contribution was
explored by leading
global auditor, KPMG,
back in 2013.
xenith.co.uk

9. KPMG summarised this new senior business role as
one in which IT is able not only to
support today’s dynamic business
environment, but to help evolve
their service delivery model.
xenith.co.uk

10. Perhaps you’ve just started out
on this journey yourself?
Well rest assured
you’re not alone
xenith.co.uk

11. Around 48% of businesses are
already using some form of
cloud computing, and 31% of the
remaining organisations intend to
do so within the coming year.
The Attitude Survey, conducted by Vanson Bourne on behalf of the Cloud Industry Forum
xenith.co.uk

12. IT professionals
are working hard
to adapt constantly
to the ever-changing
industry landscape.
xenith.co.uk

13. Moving beyond KPIs and
support services, they are
grabbing this new career
opportunity with both hands
and really getting to grips
with how IT can benefit an
organisation at a far more
strategic level.
xenith.co.uk

14. What does it take to
be a strategic leader?
From navigator and change driver to talent advocate, global
thinker and all-round entrepreneur.
xenith.co.uk

15. These are just some
of the nine different
roles global human
resources consultancy,
DDI World, recently
identified as crucial to
success in a strategic
leadership position.
xenith.co.uk

16. It’s a world away
from week-in,
week-out
IT system
management.
xenith.co.uk

17. Many IT leaders
are working with
other senior team
players to shape
enterprise-wide
strategy and
drive growth.
xenith.co.uk

18. They are driving change to
achieve cost efficiencies,
risk management and
diversification into new
markets. This is all exciting
stuff, and it can propel
your professional career
far beyond system
installation and support.
xenith.co.uk

19. The good news is that
service providers have
acknowledged this
journey and the new
difficulties you’re facing.
Their response?
Some valuable tools
and services.
xenith.co.uk

20. The shift from service delivery to strategy
is only a threat if IT leaders allow it to be.
At a time when board members are deepening their
understanding of the strategic value of IT, there has never been
a better time to be a senior IT professional.
xenith.co.uk

21. But of course, the transition will inevitably take time
away from what is already a busy working day.
The move to cloud-based services is helpful here – lifting away much of the
infrastructural burden that IT departments have traditionally carried. And a
Managed Print Services strategy can also support IT, freeing up even more time
for IT departments to meet and exceed strategic expectations.
xenith.co.uk

22. Cloud computing is freeing
up IT leaders to move
into more strategic roles,
taking charge of complex
initiatives aimed at
driving growth.
Senior managers across
the enterprise now have a
much stronger awareness
of new technologies, and
expect IT to understand
their strategic value.
Managed Print Services is a
great example of
third-party provision that
can help IT to deliver on its
strategic potential.
Key Takeaways
xenith.co.uk

23. DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE EGUIDE NOW
Find out how you can deliver an MPS strategy
that is exactly right for your business. Download:
How to Create an MPS Strategy
to Meet the Demands of the
Enterprise
xenith.co.uk