According to Gartner’s 2017 CEO survey, 58 percent of respondents said growth was their top business priority this year. In addition to business leaders focusing on growth, the survey revealed that product improvement and technology were rising priorities among CEOs.
“Almost twice as many CEOs are intent on building up in-house technology and digital capabilities as those [who] plan on outsourcing it,” reports Gartner Vice President and Fellow Mark Raskino.
Raskino says the survey findings represent the “… building up of new-era technology skills and capabilities.”
As digital transformation and technology initiatives take center stage, so do the people put in place to manage these business efforts. Already, many companies have decided the traditional C-suite roles of CEO, COO, CFO, CIO and CMO no longer suffice when it comes to executive leadership needs.
CIOs and CTOs are now joined by CISOs (chief information security officers), CAOs (chief analytics officers) and CDOs (chief digital officers). The CMO has a new partner as well, with more and more marketing and technology leaders earning CMTO (chief marketing technology officer) roles.
What’s driving the expansion of C-suite titles
Erica Seidel, founder of The Connective Good, a recruiting firm specializing in executive marketing, technology and analytic positions, says some of the new titles she has seen include Chief Customer Officer, Chief Growth Officer, Chief Data Officer and Chief AI Officer (AI for artificial intelligence).
Seidel believes the growing list of new C-level titles within B2B marketing reflects a growing professionalism and specialization among business leaders.
[Read the full article on MarTech Today.]
