Learn How IT Can Fuel Creativity in Your Business

By John Monahan

Without question, IT solves a lot of problems in your business. Consider automation alone, which can deliver boost efficiency, save time and reduce risks – all enabled by smart investments in technology.

But that’s not enough in today’s idea marketplace. Because of that, IT becomes an even more powerful tool in differentiating your business.

We’re standing at a pivotal moment for CIOs, who traditionally were charged with delivering fundamental, always-on technology to run a business from day t0 day. Today, CIOs increasingly are finding a seat at the head of the table, where they now have a greater stake in the overall business strategy as technology becomes a differentiator. IT is the cornerstone for engagement with customers and among employees, for development of new products and services, for innovation in everything a business might dream.

In the past year, you’ve heard a lot from CTG about transformation, particularly as we build on our relationship with the new Hewlett Packard Enterprise. A primary reason for the division that created both HPE and HP Inc. last year was to allow HPE to develop the resources that businesses today need to accelerate growth and meet aggressive goals. As HPE puts it, we’re defying that comfortable “business as usual” and bursting into new opportunities.

At the end of February, CTG will host a weekend CIO Retreat, giving IT leaders from around the Mid-Atlantic unparalleled access to some of the top minds in the industry. At the heart of our half-day Feb. 27 program – “Clearing the Fog: Insight into Unlocking Business Value Enabled by a New Style of IT” – will be exploring how we rethink about the role and application of IT in today’s business.

The program will feature:

• "Setting the Scene", “Pivoting to HPE’s 4 Transformational Areas,” Brian Bark, HPE’s chief strategist and innovation officer, will lead with insight into the new style of business and IT, then will work his way into HPE's 4 Transformational Areas. This platform includes transforming to a hybrid infrastructure, protecting the digital enterprise, empowering the data-driven organization, and enabling workplace productivity. 

• “Connecting Your World with Intelligent Mobility,” Scott Herman, Aruba Networks, networking channel director.

• “Enabling Breach Detection and Securing Digital Interactions,” Perry Payne, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, former chief information security officer at The Washington Post.

• “2016 Threat Landscape,” John Davis, Palo Alto Networks, vice president and federal chief security officer.

•  “HPE Converged Systems,” Rich Holmes, HPE, software-defined storage specialist.

Any one of those limited-access discussions with some of the industry’s innovators would help you find innovative ways to leverage your technology. When you consider what you can gain from engaging with that entire slate of leaders, you almost can’t afford to miss this opportunity to be on the front row in a transformational journey.

Join us for the morning, or come for the entire weekend. We kick off on Friday with a trek into the city to see the Washington Capitals from our side-by-side executive suites. On Saturday, we’ll meet for dinner at Old Hickory Steakhouse. Your guest will be able to enjoy spa treatments, and you’ll both have an opportunity to explore the great shopping and entertainment offered at National Harbor.

We’re looking forward to engaging with you on this new style of IT – and we’re here to help make it happen at your business.

John Monahan is co-founder of CTG.