Offering regional and national programs, CIO (and CSO) events bring together some of the most respected names and thought leaders in information technology and security. Presented by CIOs and other senior level executives, these invitation-only programs offer timely topics and strong networking. Learn More »
Social Responsibility's Strategic Benefits
December 15, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM US/Eastern (GMT-5)
Join Ed Granger-Happ, CIO of Save the Children, for a discussion of how creating an organization that is socially responsible improves staffing, retention, leadership development and overall corporate health.
Working With and Communicating to Your Board of Directors
January 13, 2009, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM US/Eastern (GMT-5)
CIO panelists who will share tips and experiences working with their boards: Twila Day of SYSCO; Jeff O'Hare, West Corp.; Marc West, formerly with H&R Block.
IT's Role in Growing Mid-Market Companies
January 14, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM ET (GMT-5)
Mid-market Council members will share their companies' stories and challenges in driving or coping with growth. Panelists represent Veterinary Pet Insurance, Medicis Pharmaceutical, and Intrax Cultural Exchange.
Learn more about the CIO Executive Council »Apply today for a FREE subscription to CIO Magazine!
June 02, 2008 — CIO — Perhaps I'm a tech-based version of a split personality. I'm the CIO of Universal Orlando Resort, but I'm also a mother of two and the planner of our family's vacations. In fact, I think of myself first as a theme park customer, second as a senior leader at Universal and finally as the company's CIO.
Recently we were brainstorming new events that would bring more Florida residents to our theme parks during off-peak tourist periods. Our in-house marketing group was pitching proposals, and I offered the idea of a Guitar Hero competition. Everyone loved it. But that idea didn't come from being a CIO—it came from being a mother of two kids obsessed with the Guitar Hero video game (in which players perform as rock stars).
Thinking like our customers and focusing on our company's markets are among the most important ways we can fulfill our responsibility to contribute to informed decision making. In today's contracting economy, it's more critical than ever for CIOs to study market trends and find ways to maximize business opportunities.
Universal Orlando is one of many brands in the travel and entertainment industries competing for discretionary dollars spent by consumers on leisure time and vacations. Our universe is broad—whether we're focusing on our home state of Florida, elsewhere within the United States or internationally. Because our product falls into that discretionary expenditure category, we're often vulnerable to shifts in consumer confidence and virtually any other trend that influences the economy.
Of course, the competition boils down to a market of one—the individual consumer. People often assume that because of our high volume of guests, the experience we provide for them also had to be geared for the masses. But digital technology now enables guests to customize their experience, whether it's a Web-based interaction or an in-park attraction. For example, our new Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit roller coaster, launching in 2009, will allow guests to customize their ride experience by choosing the music that plays around them while on the roller coaster. When the ride ends, guests will be able to edit video footage of that experience into a music video to keep, share with friends or post online.
As CIO, I drive the knowledge, abilities and technologies to enable our customer-based market focus.
Our systems have always had valuable market-defining customer data, but we didn't always know how best to leverage it. Fortunately, I've been able to work closely with executive peers to implement business intelligence that triggers a more analytical, customer-centric approach to marketing and sales.
Just the basics, please. Sometimes we all need a refresher or we need to make sure our team and our colleagues are all on the same page.
Over 25 tutorials on everything from business intelligence to virtualization.