Helping your IT team move forward.
Many businesses have an internal IT team who report to a non-IT specialist, such as the CFO. Sometimes there are also web design teams or teams working on data and processes – all reporting to different execs.
The result is confusion and a technology stack that doesn’t support business goals.
The solution is a team leader who can simplify the situation and develop talent to handle your tech needs on their own.
The pressures business leaders face
- Miscommunication and distrust between the Board and the IT team
- Technology that does not explicitly support business goals
- No clarity on staffing, insourcing vs outsourcing, or suppliers
- IT that doesn’t support growth.
- Staff needing mentorship in how to step up and handle challenges on their own
The opportunities with Freeman Clarke
- Making IT and technology a platform for growth
- Understanding where the money is spent, how to cut costs, and where investment may be needed
- Eliminating time-consuming workarounds
- Reviving stuck projects
- Opportunities for new markets
How we help
A Freeman Clarke CIO or CTO becomes a part of your leadership team to end the frustration and transform technology into a driver of growth.
Our IT leaders work within your leadership team to:
- Make an honest assessment of your business needs
- Identify duplicate systems and workarounds
- Facilitate communication between the IT team and the Board
- Create a more efficient and cooperative environment
- Mentor staff on assuming leadership roles themselves
- And because we are complete independent of vendors and third parties, you can trust that all our recommendations are in your best interest.
Freeman Clarke was such a stabilising force for us. Our IT leader made everyone calm and feel like he was there to help, as opposed to anxious that some new guy was around trying to figure out what was wrong with everyone.
Real-world examples
Here are just a few of the businesses we’ve helped move forward with IT and technology:
AEC
We helped a top provider prioritise and expedite their technology initiatives, whilst providing independent advice on products, services, and suppliers.
Nonprofit
We uncovered the pain points with suppliers and introduced frameworks to ensure governance and accountability.
Services
We helped an iconic brand develop a three-year strategic plan for a more flexible, scalable, and efficient operation.
Where we start
In the first 30 days, a Freeman Clarke IT leader will find the gaps in communication and leadership as well as identifying areas for staff development.
Our IT leaders work within your leadership team to:
- Assess your current IT landscape, spend, and leadership structure
- Understand your business goals and challenges
- Identify strengths, gaps, and priorities
- Create an initial IT strategy framework with clear next steps
- Ensure alignment and communication between the IT team and the Board
Related expertise
Explore related areas of our work:
Digital transformation
Modernising systems to support long-term growth.
Integration issues and manual work
Joining up processes and improving efficiency.
Legacy systems
Replacing or modernising outdated bespoke platforms.
FAQs
How do you get everyone on the same page?
It all starts with clarity on the business goals – and communicating them in plain English.
Can you help our IT team develop leadership skills?
Yes. Quite often our role is transitional, and we will mentor the head of the IT team in how they can better communicate with the Board and keep focussed on business goals – in short, how to become a strategic leader in their own right.
How can a Freeman Clarke CIO or CTO help shift an IT person toward a more strategic mindset?
A lot of it comes down to showing how technical decisions should be made with the business in mind – both for day-to-day needs and with an eye on profit and growth. Most IT people enjoy the shift and the bigger vision it entails.
Why fractional leadership matters
Creating and delivering an IT strategy requires senior experience, but not every business needs a full-time CIO or CTO. A fractional IT leader can ‘translate’ between the Board and the IT team and create a situation where everyone has the same vision and goals.