| | November 20168CIOReviewIT is Dead. Long live TI. Transforming Information Technology into Technology InnovationBy Andrew Macaulay, CTO, Topgolf Entertainment GroupThe stereotype is familiar: a hurried, harried information technology professional bounces from phone to desktop to server, trying to put out the latest IT fire. IT leadership tries to control the chaos by locking everything down, enforcing old standards, resisting change and always saying "no" before considering a partial "yes."Progressive leaders have already pivoted from these old ways. Others--or their replacements--are following. We badly need a new brand.Once upon a time, we were Data Processing. A central function, we used big machines to crunch data and run repetitive routines. Management Information Systems came into vogue for a while. But once the technology leapt out of central rooms and onto everyone's desktop (then briefcase, then pocket), we became Information Technology. IT stuck.We must reverse our thinking, so let's reverse our brand. IT becomes TI. Technology Innovation.Innovation taps the creative spirit of technology professionals and embraces the need to drive our companies forward. Technology covers every aspect of what we do and has the potential to disrupt major industries and differentiate companies from their competitors. Topgolf grew out of two brothers looking to solve a problem with tech. One day, after arguing over whose golf ball was driven the farthest at a driving range, they decided to settle the score. Instead of running onto the field to physically measure distances, they embedded a RFID chip into a ball and a new approach to an old sport emerged.That spirit of innovation is embedded in our company DNA, and it flows from our executive leadership down through each associate. So, it's not surprising that creative use of technology permeates our guest experience, venue operations, internal communications and new revenue streams--and we in the TI team make it happen.That's right. I lead the TI team at Topgolf, and the whole company is shifting to use that term. Shifting focus like this doesn't happen by accident and is certainly more than just a name change. Start by determining the intersection of innovation and your company's business Make room for the new ideas that could take your brand to the next level and leave your competitors in the dustIN MY OPINIONAndrew Macaulay
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