It is time for CIOs to step up and bring more value to protect their seat at the table or risk losing ground. A very strong statement but one that was supported by the content of the Renaissance Executive Forum event on October 28^th titled Who will be the next game changer? This event was received with outstanding reviews by everyone who attended. The landscape of this event was continuously filled with highlights that pointed all arrows toward the necessity for Information Technology (IT) organizations to lead game changer activities for corporate differentiation and sustainability.

The event opened with Kathie Topel, Managing Partner IMPACTinsights, discussing the need for driving everyone in the IT organization toward being aligned and engaged with the mission, vision and strategic direction of corporations today. Kathie facilitates a monthly Renaissance CIO Executive Forum group with Ed Breclaw, Franchise Owner of Renaissance Executive Forums in the western suburbs of the Chicago area. The CIO Executive Forum group has a mission To bring the IT team from the backroom to the boardroom and provide game changer business value to the organizational vision.

The first keynote speaker was Khalid Kark, Vice President and Research Director Forrester Research, serving CIOs. He spoke to the attendees about being in the Empowered Era and the implications on IT. He stated that in the near future we will see Information Technology transform and be referred to as Empowered Business Technology. The topic was covered of how titles in the technology field are moving from Chief Information Officer to align more with Chief Strategy Officer, Executive Vice President of Business Transformation and Chief Innovation Officer.

Next to speak was Thomas Stat, Co-Founder, Executive Director, Edison Universe. He spoke to the attendees about what it is going to take to innovate into the future. He stated that the expectation of IT as an integrated leader of innovation is going to become more and more demanding over the next 5 years. The pressure for IT organizations to understand the value they bring to their internal customers along with their external customers is constantly increasing with the continual need for differentiation in the marketplace.

In closing the opening statement could not be more true. It is time for CIOs to step up and bring more value to protect their seat at the table or risk losing ground. The door is wide open for IT leaders to be the Game Changer of the future.