The British management certification organization BVOP (Business Value-Oriented Principles Ltd.) has launched certification for CIO and CTO directors.
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BVOP CIO and CTO director certification online at a lower cost
Managers from all over the world can now take advantage of the BVOP Chief Executive certification program at lower prices this year.
CIO and CTO certification has been in high demand in recent years due to the growing need for professional directors in many organizations around the world. BVOP also classifies the following modern new director positions for 2021.
Data Director
A Gartner study shows that more than two-thirds of employees in this position are responsible for the location, quality and data management, information strategy, data science, and business analysis. Of course, the scope of their responsibilities depends on the specific company. According to the same study, 90% of large companies will have a similar position in their structures in the coming years.
Rather, the data director collects and increases efficiency in an organization. The aim is to achieve the best possible quality of the product and, accordingly, of the data that are collected. In the IT segment, this is an extremely important position, as the quality of the software is one of the most important things. In the most general sense, the effective use of information to achieve the organization’s goals depends on the data director.
Director of Analysis
According to his expert duties, the Director of Analysis assumes part of the functions of the Director of Data. But creating a separate position of “director of analysis” and hiring a person for it is a clear sign for the whole organization how important is the analysis of data.
The responsibilities of the Director of Analysis are related to business analysis (BI), data collection, processing, and interpretation. Usually, these are the employees who prepare descriptive, prognostic, and prescriptive analyzes depending on the profile of the respective company. The main goal of the position is to transform information into business value and to achieve business change through data.
Director of Digital Affairs
As implied on behalf of the position, he is responsible for the digital strategy of an organization, selects the digital channels through which he will develop it, and manages its overall implementation and application. The best directors in this position can not only shape the digital future of the company but also attract managers and employees to their vision.
This is an interesting new position that is yet to be created in many organizations. The relevant professional must have certain skills and competencies to know the digital channels well and to know the market to be able to choose the best offer and the best solution for his organization, to know well the strategic trends for development in the digital world.
Currently, in a large number of organizations, such responsibilities are often performed by IT managers. Other companies choose to outsource these functions to the consulting segment. But how can a company know that it needs to create one of these new positions?
When a company makes the strategic decision to digitalize its business, it will inevitably feel the need for such a position. Creating and integrating a complete solution can be done easily with outside consulting, but the organization’s strategy is usually developed internally for security reasons. It is different when the employee is part of the company itself, participates in the board of directors, and is familiar with long-term goals. In this way, he will not only see the whole picture but will also influence decision-making.
The positions of data director, analysis director, and digital director are extremely high in the hierarchy of organizations. Employees in these positions are usually part of the board of directors or report directly to the executive director.
Undoubtedly, the new positions also require certain different skills and qualities for future directors to perform their functions in the best way. In terms of technical knowledge, there are some differences between these digital posts. However, there are common competencies that companies are looking for. When we talk about the director level – whether it will be a Human Resources Director or a CFO – there is always strategic thinking. If we talk about competencies, they are quite similar – flexibility, change management skills, quick decisions, and adaptability to these quick decisions.
The BVOP certification has been cited in many online media such as CIO.com, ScrumTime, MMRLS, BusinessPad, PolicyMatters, Wider Europe, and others.
BVOP advises…
BVOP advises modern organizations to devote time and resources to careful selection for their future directors. Certification is only the first step towards successfully laying the foundations of the new generation of CIO and CTO roles. Looking to the future of the organization and careful planning is a key factor for success.
One of the biggest risks is that the manager does not complete a project that has already started, as digitalization offers countless alternatives and opportunities for the implementation and optimization of processes. Therefore, the market is highly valued and sought after those staff who have the talent to choose the right technology or strategy for the organization and to implement it to the end. Of course, digital literacy (knowledge of the digital market), the ability to work with data and analysis, the understanding of the product development life cycle, as well as the skills to attract and develop people in the team should not be underestimated.
Where to find CIO and CTO competencies?
However, companies often face the dilemma of where to look for these competencies – whether to develop them in their employees or to hire an external specialist. It is very individual for the organization to decide which of the two approaches would be most successful for them. Certainly, an investment in the development of an internal employee is much better, because he knows the nature of the company’s activities, he is already engaged in it. According to her, some IT managers have the talent and potential to develop in this direction. To this end, the employee must show strategic thinking and an understanding of global trends. However, if its level of work is rather infrastructural, the external selection is needed. The candidate should try to adapt to the new environment, and the company – to make efforts to further develop his experience.
There are no CTO and CIO universities
Although there are no two opinions on what skills are needed, the question remains where and how they can be developed by future directors. In most universities, you will not find specialties with similar names. Where then are such personnel trained? Certainly well prepared for such a position are people with a degree in software engineering and experience in their careers as QA testers or software developers. And if the director of data and director of analysis prefers engineering education, the position of director of digital affairs has a broader focus. This can be a programmer with additional analytical skills and the ability to adapt. But a person with another background will fit into a similar position. On a global scale, marketing and consulting professionals are often recruited for such positions.
Of course, there are many additional qualification courses. Most certification training is focused on a specific operational activity, however, and rather prepares employees to cover the expert level. There is no need for special certification for the director position. It’s more a matter of experience and skills. The best preparation is related to work and overcoming the challenges that arise in everyday life.
Soft skills for directors
In this regard, we should not forget the soft skills that are required when holding such high positions. Their development must begin at the university. It is no coincidence that Alibaba Group founder Jack Ma during the World Economic Forum in Davos pointed out that it is skills such as independent thinking, values , and teamwork that will allow people to compete with machines in the future. If we do not change the way we teach, in 30 years we will face difficulties.
The most important soft skill for the positions of CIO, CTO, data director, director of analysis, and director of digital affairs is strategic thinking. It is the ability to see the bigger picture, to predict at least three years, to see where the world is going on a global scale, beyond everyday problems. To develop strategic thinking, you certainly need to start reading different channels of information, never just one, to have a basis for comparison. Of course, when we go back in time, we could see similar trends to the past. And from this point of view, having experience, it is much easier for a person to acquire this strategic thinking.
