Practical CIO

JOSÉ CARLOS EIRAS was most recently CIO at DHL Express U.S.A., a division of Deutsche Post World Net (DPWN), the world's leading logistics and transportation company. Prior to joining DHL, he served as European CIO and Global Services Information Officer at General Motors. He has also held top executive posts at General Foods, Philip Morris, and other multinational corporations. Eiras is a recognized industry expert and respected IT consultant; he has a solid foundation of support in the global IT community.

• Foreword ixAcknowledgments xvIntroduction xviiChapter 1 Build a Great Team 1Chapter 2 Proactively Establish Goals for IT 29Chapter 3 Design the IT Strategy 47Chapter 4 Hold All of Your Vendors Accountable 69Chapter 5 Before Negotiating, Do Your Homework 91Chapter 6 Manage Contracts, Don’t Just Sign Them 105Chapter 7 Work With the Business 127Chapter 8 Manage and Market the IT Brand 145Chapter 9 Building Relationships Across the Enterprise—And Beyond 167Chapter 10 Act Like a CEO 193Afterword 213Endnotes 217About the Author 223Index 227

"High tech was once the back end of business strategy. The two are now one, says tech exec Jose Eiras, author of "The Practical CIO."  To get with the program, chief information officers should: Think like a CEO. Unlike other areas of a firm, information technology operates best "when it's managed like a free-standing business" as opposed to a service center, Eiras said." (Investors.com, April 16, 2010)