CIOs 'invaluable' during recession

12:44 22nd August 2008

IT professionals are invaluable during a financial downturn if they understand how technology supports business, recruitment experts have said.

Chief information officers (CIOs) are in a strong position during times of economic uncertainty, as businesses look for IT leadership during tough times, explains the recruitment firm, Harvey Nash.

Matt Smith, director of UK regions at the company, said that CIOs can use technological understanding to help a business justify investment in IT.

"If a CIO understands this, then IT is a business enabler and not a cost and can become a competitive advantage," he said.

Mr Smith continued that when there is nervousness around the economy there is "more scrutiny around projects and budgets", meaning IT firms must prepare "watertight business cases".

In other IT news, Gartner has predicted that worldwide IT spending will increase by nearly five per cent next year, despite the further onset of the credit crisis.

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