Key Takeaways

• “The top 3 strategic business priorities for CEOs in 2022 are growth, technology initiatives and corporate actions.”  

• “One-third of CEOs want to aim for higher digital vision and ambition in 2022 and beyond.”

• “CEOs intend to invest in the kinds of resources CIOs need to drive digital business change: digital capabilities, IT, people and culture, business services, including management consulting, and more.”

• “Given CEOs’ priorities, CIOs should focus digital change efforts in four key areas: 1) sustainable profitability 2) sharper proposition 3) engaged people and 4) renewed purpose.”

• “When asked about post-COVID-19 individual and social behavior changes, CEOs are focused on employees more than customers.”

• “ESG mentions by CEOs as a top strategic business priority are up 303%. Most CEOs agree that ESG is an investment that attracts more customers, investors and talent.”

• “Artificial intelligence was the most frequently cited technology that CEOs believe will most significantly impact their industries over the next three years.” 

Key Takeaways

• “The move toward customer facing digital products is representative of a deeper trend of the distribution of decision making and authority over digital technology out into the business. CIOs should be behind and supporting that.”

• “As a CIO, you can make a significant contribution by anticipating and proactively responding to the IT systems that the business needs to be successful in the creation, delivery and maintenance of these customer facing digital products.”

• “You will do a great job by just being a traditional CIO. But you can help the business as it expands in this area by helping other executive leaders grow their digital dexterity.”

• “Continue to apply product management practices to internal products. That is going to yield significant benefits to the IT organization, and importantly, allow you to connect with the business when they need you to, and in exactly the right way that is needed to create these products.”

• “Build your skills in understanding, identifying and promoting marketable digital assets. Having that asset perspective as part of the transition from project to product is something the whole organization needs. As the CIO, you can be the starting point.”

Key Takeaways

• “Boards are increasingly concerned about the risks from social polarization as society gets more divided about issues like the environment and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).”

• “Boards are now amending their risk appetite to take this new—and for many, unfamiliar—risk, and factor it into their digital acceleration strategy and investments.”

• “Economic uncertainty continues to be the biggest source of risk that Boards are concerned about.”

• “Digital business remains the top priority for BoDs. This is broader than just IT, encompassing the landscape of technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), 3D printing, AR/VR and blockchain.”

• “The workforce becomes a significant challenge as companies increase their digital acceleration. IT and HR will be at center stage for Boards focusing on workforce, whether it’s retention, training, hiring or partnerships.”

• “For executive leaders looking to align with Board priorities, look at three areas that have become a massive focus: workforce; environmental, social and governance; (ESG) and risk management.”

See more key findings from the 2022 Gartner Board of Directors Survey in associated Gartner press release.