Five Ideas That Can Help IT Pros Be Better BusinesspeopleFive Ideas That Can Help IT Pros Be Better Businesspeople

CIOs looking to get a seat in their company's executive boardrooms need to do a better job speaking the same language as their CEO and understanding his or her business priorities, according to a top consultant and best-selling business author. "Learn about what the CEO wants to know," said Ram Charan, former Harvard professor, speaking Sunday at the information Spring Conference in Amelia Island, Fla.

Charan said too many CIOs are relinquishing their rightful chance at the corner office to CFOs, marketing executives, and even general counsels because many are overly focused on technology. "They will tell you everything about technology but nothing about business," Charan said, speaking to a room of about 300 IT executives.

Charan, who has consulted for numerous multinationals, including Gateway, Ford, and EDS, said IT leaders need to focus on five areas to ensure they ascend the company ladder: