C-level IT execs are realizing they must bring business value and competitive advantage or risk losing their seat at the table, and potentially their jobs. The Web is a buzz on this topic, as CIO’s and analysts debate the future role of the CIO and the essential alignment of IT with the business.

CIO Means Business is theme of the upcoming SIMPosium 2012 Conference – October 28-30 in Grapeville, Texas, which will focus on the shift in IT from a supporting role to the core of business operations.

The world of the CIO is being rocked by the impact of cloud computing, big data, and the impending transformation of IT as we know it.

“CIOs and the IT functions under them must prepare for transformation or be left in the dust.” says Thor Olavsrud in a recent article for CIO.com. Olavsrud sites a recent study by The Economist Intelligence Unit, sponsored by Dell Services, which surveyed 536 C-suite executives and found the majority believe the IT function is poised for a “major transformation” and that the changes “have the potential to transform not only IT as we know it, but the entire business.”

IT executives are having to transform themselves along with their IT functions in order to provide value to today’s organization. CIO’s must learn to communicate the business value of technology investments in a language that business executives understand. But the study shows a significant gap between how IT executives perceive their business acumen, and how they are perceived by other C-suite executives.

CIOs who participate in setting business strategy are likely to bring greater value to the business. The report offers three tactics CIOs can use to better align to the business.  Read more of Olavsrud’s Article at CIO.com