SEAT Global Magazine - Exclusive Interviews of Global Sport Executive Issue 03 March 2017 | Page 12

Larry Bonfante

Founder, CIO Bench Coach

Prior CIO of USTA, Larry is an Award winning CIO, Thought Leader, Executive Coach, Published Author, Keynote Speaker, Workshop Facilitator, Board Member and Trusted Business Adviser

I created an executive coaching and consulting practice focused on developing the competencies required for IT executives to succeed in the new digital age. I have served as a mentor and trusted advistor to more than 100 executives at some of the largest and most prestigious companies in the world such as NBC Universal, Toyota, Prudential, EBay, Merck, Dish Network, Novartis and the NFL.

Provided one on one executiv coaching to CIO and their leadership teams. Run workshops and strategy sessions on critical competencies such as:

• Helping to drive your organization’s digital agenda

• Driving tangible business value and leveraging technology to drive revenue

• Attracting, retaining and developing key leaders

• Turning talented individuals into high performing teams

• Changing the culture and brand of the technology organization

• Leveraging diversity as a strategic asset

• Building board and C-Level relationships

• Communicating and marketing the value of the IT investment

• Building strategic partnerships

Part of your rationale in replacing older and antiquated technologies is the fact that the cost of having your team fix older devices is higher than the cost of simply replacing them (ask yourself would you fix a ten year old washing machine?).

Furthermore I try to educate my decision makers that while the cost of a new laptop may be $1,000 (less in many cases) what is the cost of your Chief Revenue Officer not being able to effectively work for a day because his laptop drop dead?

Also it’s imperative that we maintain familiarity with and access to the latest and greatest consumer devices. How bright an idea would it be for your customers to be accessing your web sites and services via the latest iPhone or Android device while the people trying to support them are working with flip phones?

Many of the new capabilities and apps require a new platform or level of OS to run effectively.

We can’t have our customers having a different (and better) experience than the people trying to support them and develop and deliver mobile solutions to them.

Technology refresh is a cost of doing business.

You would never allow your elevators to not be maintained on a regular basis because your most important asset, your people, use them every day to get to work.

Well, technology is no different.

More to come for next month's issue!

Connect with me on LinkedIn and Follow Me on Twitter for more great discussions on leadership and technology strategy.

www.seatconsortium.com / @SEATconference