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The Revolving Door

Unum hired John Alexander as CIO to adopt cutting-edge IT strategies and put the company on the forefront of the industry. However, Unum replaced Alexander with Bob Best because Alexander's aggressive technology implementations had yet to prove their value. Best focused more on utilizing IT to directly benefit the business and increase revenue. Going forward, Unum needs a new CIO who can leverage IT to streamline operations, understand the business needs, establish credibility internally, and shape the IT portfolio to prioritize innovation that reduces costs and enhances products, services, and decision making.

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Jason Payabyab
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23 views

The Revolving Door

Unum hired John Alexander as CIO to adopt cutting-edge IT strategies and put the company on the forefront of the industry. However, Unum replaced Alexander with Bob Best because Alexander's aggressive technology implementations had yet to prove their value. Best focused more on utilizing IT to directly benefit the business and increase revenue. Going forward, Unum needs a new CIO who can leverage IT to streamline operations, understand the business needs, establish credibility internally, and shape the IT portfolio to prioritize innovation that reduces costs and enhances products, services, and decision making.

Uploaded by

Jason Payabyab
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Information Resource Management 1. The Revolving Door: a. Why did Unum hire John Alexander as their CIO?

-Probably because of his qualifications. Unum wanted a CIO that will put them on the front line of the industry. They hired him to make their ideals and goals happen. b. Why did Unum replace Alexander with Bob Best? -Maybe Unum felt the technology Alexander was introducing to the company is not fully utilized to its fullest. Alexanders aggressive implementation of new technology that has yet to prove its necessity and capability might also be a driving factor. The company most likely disfavors the risk he is taking. c. Do you approve of Unums CIO decisions? Why or why not? -Yes. As a qualified CIO hired by a prominent company they have the appropriate knowledge of what has to be done or what the company needs most. Everyone has their own approach on scenarios. Situation changes as time passes. The action Alexander has taken might be appropriate on his time with the company as well as Bests approach on his time on the company. 2. Business Versus Technology Focus: a. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Alexanders Bleeding Edge IT strategy? -Businesses that adopt bleeding edge technology that later becomes widely adopted may see an advantage from being a first-mover; however, if the bleeding edge technology is not widely-adopted the business will have spent significant resources on something that won't work. This presents businesses with a difficult choice: invest in bleeding edge technology that might ultimately fail, or don't invest and risk having obsolete technology if the bleeding edge technology becomes the industry standard. b. What are the benefits and limitations of Bests business focus for IT at Unum? -It has earned the company more revenue. In addition to overall customer satisfaction, operational expenditures were also reduced. This is because their technology is being utilized to the fullest.

3. Unums search for a CIO:

a. Do you approve of what Unum wants in its new CIO? Why or why not? -Yes. Their business environment has drastically changed. They need to find a CIO that can work with business colleagues well-versed in information technology. b. What type of CIO and what strategic IT focus do you think Unum needs? Why? -Unum needs a CIO who can leverage IT to streamline operations for greater organizational effectiveness. They need someone who creates a vision by understanding the business, someone who can establish credibility and foster change and someone who can shape the IT portfolio. c. What should be the priority and first action taken by Unums new CIO? -Follow the five waves of innovation; reducing cost, leveraging investments, enhancing products and services, enhancing decision making, reaching the consumers.

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