The challenges facing CIOs in Singapore

As businesses progress towards a digital platform and data-gathering era, the role of a Chief Information Officer (CIO) has become increasingly influential. In Hays’ recently published ‘DNA of a CIO Asia’ report which surveyed 307 CIOs across Asia, 50% of the respondents foresee the need for CIOs to improve on the innovation front in the next five years as their visibility grows within organisations.

So what are the challenges CIOs face?

The greatest professional challenges identified by CIOs include:
Achieving company objectives: 23%
Keeping up-to-date with new technology: 19%
Assessing new technology and sorting fads from tools that add value to the business: 13%

A common issue faced by CIOs is that of aligning the IT function to business objectives. There is an inherent need for CIOs to process new and often technical information rapidly and represent these findings and innovations to management and the board as easily understandable business strategies or priorities.

Striking a balance between technology and commercial concerns is a constant priority for CIOs, which is particularly complex in Singapore due to its position as a popular regional hub which often requires cross-country decision making.

Despite most CIOs having strong technical foundations, being an enabler and pushing for change requires sharp, creative, and quick thinking actions from CIOs given the rapidly changing macro and technology environment. This presents the challenge of staying up-to-date with current technology and gaining strong technical knowledge.

An abundance of resources can be found in Singapore, and CIOs surveyed accredit networking, attending CIO forums, reading trade publications, and completing technical qualification courses, in helping them stay ahead of technology.

On a personal level, the intensity and dynamic nature of the role requires CIOs to stay constantly focused and on-the-ball. Working hours are intensive, with almost half (48%) of CIOs surveyed pulling a 46- to 55- hour work week. A further 23% work 56 to 65 hours a week, and some (8%) pull weeks of more than 65 hours. As technology works around-the-clock and is up and running 24/7, work-life balance is a true challenge for CIOs.

As advised by various CIOs surveyed in Singapore, work-life balance is crucial to sustain high performance in the long term. However, there is no one-size-fits-all solution given each CIOs’ own unique personal circumstances.

Work-life balance is more of a personal decision and professionals should accept the limitations on how much they are able to complete within the stipulated hours, and evaluate their own working style. It’s also important that employers foster a culture that encourages a healthy work-life balance.