CIOs Urged To Find A Successor

21st October 2012

Chief Information Officers have been urged to find a staff member who can step in if they are suddenly unable to work.

John Reed, who is a senior executive director at Robert Half Technology, has claimed that many CIOs under-estimate the importance of finding someone who can take over their role at the service desk.

According to a poll conducted by Robert Half Technology, just 20 per cent of CIOs currently have a successor in place. In reaction to this, Reed told computerworlduk.com that this figure should be far higher.

He said: "Succession planning is critical for an organisation's long-term success, yet it's a task that's often overlooked. By taking proactive steps to identify and develop future leaders, a manager's departure is a workable issue instead of an imminent crisis."

Following the results of the survey, Robert Half Technology has published tips for CIOs with regards to finding a successor. The document suggests that the ideal candidate would have great leadership skills and a strong idea of the company and its goals.

The tips, published on prnewswire.com, also advise CIOs to start looking for a success immediately to cover the threat of an unforeseen absence and suggests giving them the opportunity to take a trial run during a vacation.