Everyone I met at the CIO Boot Camp at Interop was working at an established business, not a startup. One of their concerns: How do their ingrained processes, infrastructure and technology compete against startups that are launching their business without an IT department.
VCs view IT as a big sunk cost. They believe one way of getting around that is to force their ventures to launch IT operations in the cloud. This empowers startups to come to market a lot more quickly. Mazi Fayazfar, Senior Director of IT at retailer IXIA, realizes that by using disruptive technology, startups have the agility to compete against big players.
Ah, The Innovator’s Dilemma. I think there is a book out there about that very subject.
I don’t know if it’s the “Innovator’s” dilemma as it’s the dilemma of a big slow moving company trying to compete with a startup that doesn’t have the same IT baggage.
Late comment: it’s equally as challenging to work in an established company that continues to be (mis/poorly) managed as though it is a startup. I.e. no standards, clearly defined roles, etc.
I’m in a situation with my own company where I’m trying to get standards in place with how we’re doing processes. It’s a lot of work, and I’m just a small company. So I know how difficult it can be.