CIOs of global enterprises face more hurdles involving people and processes than technology. Establish structure and consistency Standardization of technology policies and processes across countries’ borders is just as much a part of maintaining the sense of “one company, many locations” as having a single mission statement. Common environments create shared experiences, expectations and understanding, all of which are more important than ever as technology enables real-time international collaboration. Move the experts If technical or management expertise doesn’t reside in a particular location, put people there who can provide it until the local team learns. Acknowledge all stakeholders Function managers are not the only mid-level leaders in a global company—country managers must also buy into process change. Avoid stalling out In-country infrastructure and pressure from locals to maintain the status quo can cause delays. Don’t let that kill corporate momentum. Flex for success Accommodate, don’t negotiate, when addressing drastically different local regulations on corporate technology or personnel policy. Related content feature CIOs grapple with the ethics of implementing AI With ethical considerations around AI use increasingly top of mind, IT leaders are developing governance frameworks, establishing review boards, and coming to terms with the difficult discussions and decisions ahead. By Esther Shein Dec 11, 2023 13 mins Generative AI Generative AI Generative AI feature Reed Smith turns to AI for lawyer staffing solution The legal firm’s Smart Resourcing tool helps balance workloads and ensure partners find associates with the right skills and experience, while empowering employees to make connections across the firm’s global footprint. By Sarah K. White Dec 11, 2023 8 mins CIO 100 Legal Digital Transformation news Emirates NBD drives sustainability goals with Microsoft partnership By Andrea Benito Dec 10, 2023 2 mins CIO news COP28: How Du and Ericsson's partnership is supporting UAE Net Zero Strategy By Andrea Benito Dec 10, 2023 3 mins CIO Green IT Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe