Craig Bickel, CIO, Lawson Software

Q: What is the biggest challenge to overseeing the IT issues for a global organization?

A: " Perhaps the key IT challenge in a global organization is managing the tension between running the business while providing the foundation for new business models. As companies globalize functions and processes, moving to shared services environments and standardizing processes and service delivery globally, the IT function must provide common, integrated services to support the organization. While this transformation is happening, the IT organization also has to support legacy environments and operations, which can consume more than half of available resources. This often feels like changing the wings of a fully-loaded cargo plane in midflight. Success hinges on management commitment and involvement, flexible staffing and funding models, and a committed and motivated organization. Difficult? Yes. But it must be met if global companies are going to realize the benefits of scale and scope that their size should provide. "

More Thought Leaders