What is a CIO, and why is the role essential for businesses today? In the fourth episode of TechTalk Detroit, Chuck Lobert and Brian Spurgeon explore why companies, especially growing small and mid-sized businesses, should consider hiring a Chief Information Officer (CIO) or partnering with a virtual CIO (vCIO).
With technology at the heart of nearly every modern business operation, failing to align IT with your overall business goals can lead to inefficiencies, overspending, and missed growth opportunities.
💡 Why You Should Hire a Chief Information Officer
As your company evolves, so do its technology needs. A Chief Information Officer ensures your IT infrastructure can scale alongside your business. In this episode, Chuck and Brian explain how a CIO plays a critical role in:
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Strategic IT planning
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IT budget alignment
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Long-term technology roadmapping
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Infrastructure and security oversight
“One of the biggest benefits of hiring a CIO,” Chuck says, “is having someone focused entirely on aligning IT with business growth.”
🧭 What Does a CIO Actually Do?
Hiring a CIO means bringing on an executive who will take a high-level view of your entire organization, offering guidance that integrates IT with strategic goals. As discussed in the episode, a CIO:
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Prepares your business for disaster recovery and continuity
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Advises on cloud technologies and emerging IT trends
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Plans long-term so your tech investments always support your goals
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Ensures your infrastructure scales with demand
“A CIO should be thinking in terms of a 5-year budget and growth plan—not just daily tech issues,” adds Brian.
🤔 Why Don’t More Companies Hire a CIO?
The answer is simple: cost. According to Payscale, the average CIO salary in the U.S. is $157,557—a significant investment for small and mid-sized businesses.
As Brian puts it, “Many small businesses don’t take a strategic view of IT, not because they don’t want to—but because they think they can’t afford it.”
🖥️ The Smarter Solution: Virtual CIO (vCIO) Services
Fortunately, there’s a scalable alternative. If you can’t afford to hire a Chief Information Officer full-time, outsourcing the role to a vCIO may be the right fit. A vCIO offers all the expertise of an in-house CIO—strategic planning, technology alignment, cybersecurity oversight—at a fraction of the cost.
Chuck and Brian explain how companies like Vision Computer Solutions provide Co-Managed IT and vCIO services, giving businesses access to:
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Strategic IT consulting
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Budget forecasting and roadmap creation
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Cybersecurity and compliance guidance
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Vendor and infrastructure management
🧩 Final Take: Strategy Is Not Optional
Too often, business leaders treat IT as an afterthought—but in today’s landscape, tech strategy is business strategy. Whether you hire a full-time CIO or bring in a trusted vCIO, the key is having a dedicated expert to guide your technology decisions and protect your bottom line.
👉 Don’t wait for a tech crisis to start thinking strategically. Hire a Chief Information Officer—either in-house or virtual—and take control of your IT future.
Like this article? Check out the following blogs to learn more:
TechTalk Detroit: Working From Home
On-Demand Webinar: Can Your Business Survive a 2-Week Quarantine?
Do You Know How To Support Your Employees’ Productivity While They Work From Home?
