What is a CIO

What is a CIO? Starting an Automation Company Ft. Mike Gill

In this podcast episode, we had the pleasure of interviewing Mike Gill, a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in the IT industry.

Mike has held various roles, from a developer to a CIO, and is currently the founder of 5 River Automation. In this interview, we discussed a wide range of topics, including Mike’s career journey, the role of a CIO, the challenges of starting a company, and the future of automation.

Mike’s Career Journey

Mike started his career as an Enterprise Java developer, working on B2B projects. He then moved on to work at Donley, where he gained experience in both IT and operational technology. Later, he served as the Global Chief Information Officer for Maran Inc., a company with operations in multiple countries.

The Role of a CIO

A CIO is responsible for overseeing an organization’s information technology strategy. This includes managing IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and data privacy. In the past, CIOs were often seen as cost centers, but today, they are increasingly viewed as strategic partners who can help drive business growth.

Challenges of Starting a Company

Mike discussed the challenges he faced when starting F River Automation. One of the biggest challenges was deciding on the company’s focus. He considered data analytics but ultimately chose to focus on RPA due to its shorter time to value. Another challenge was building a team of talented professionals.

The Future of Automation

Mike believes that automation is the future of work. He sees RPA as a tool that can help businesses improve efficiency, reduce costs, and allow employees to focus on more strategic tasks. However, he also emphasizes the importance of humanizing work and ensuring that automation benefits people, not replaces them.

Key Takeaways

  • Networking is essential for success in the IT industry.
  • Identify problems that need to be solved and develop solutions that add value.
  • Automation can help businesses improve efficiency and reduce costs.
  • Using automation frees employees to focus on more strategic tasks.

Conclusion

This podcast episode provided valuable insights into the role of a CIO, the challenges of starting a company, and the future of automation. Mike’s experience and expertise make him a valuable resource for anyone interested in the IT industry.

We encourage you to listen to the full podcast to learn more about his insights and advice.

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