| | October 20179CIOReviewmobile platforms, and enable differentiated shopping, buying, and aftermarket service experiences. And, we continue to make investments in our IoT platform and the application experiences enabled by IoT. For instance, Whirlpool Corporation's recent acquisition of Yummly, a personalized recipe platform, has been a catalyst for innovations that will change how our customers interact with our product, and transform the fundamental cooking experience. One thing most of these ventures have in common is the reliance on `big data'. I am privileged to champion a global big data and analytics initiative to further build our capabilities in this area. A cross functional team is currently working to develop data services, analytical tools, and the operating model and organizational structure necessary to implement and scale this capability globally.Personality traits contributing to leadershipThe role of CIO at Whirlpool Corporation is full of challenges and excitement. I think most people will tell you that I bring a consistent level of optimism to the equation, which helps me and the team get through the tough days, and plays a huge role in allowing me to focus on the work at hand, envisaging the direction of the business and identifying the right technological solutions. Another personal quality that I think helps in this position is humility. As someone who is relatively new to the company, and the industry, I still have much to learn about our markets, products, and operations. And, with the technology landscape evolving so quickly, you need to continue to focus on what you don't know, in order to move the company forward.Future of the changing technological landscapeOne of the most revolutionary disruptions that we witness today is the "democratization of IT." As we move into the cloud we are witnessing the commoditization and immediate accessibility of IT services. It would not be wrong to speculate that fast advances in technology are requiring everyone in the business to become more tech savvy. One could argue this might result in the decreased relevance of IT organizations in the long run, but, although a disruptive trend, I find it emboldening - forcing us to be more effective in our leadership and facilitation of technology enablement across our operations. The Changing Role of CIOThe role of CIO is more important than ever before. It has become incumbent on CIOs to develop business acumen and become students of their respective business - and in many cases IT is becoming the business.As a CIO at Whirlpool Corporation, my advice to my peers is to learn your core business - not just the technological aspect. Know your customers and how they use, interact and shop for the products you make. Only then are you able to make informed recommendations and lead the business in the right direction. It's important to know your customers and the context of your businesses. Only then can you make informed recommendations and help lead a business in the right directionMatt Meier
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