ourCIO

Who's leading AI in your organization? A Chief AI Officer? Your CIO? Your COO? Maybe it's a dual leadership model. Maybe it's not getting any meaningful attention.

Our latest article offers some observations and insights on who should lead AI in your organization, and explains why the answer isn't as obvious as it seems.

https://www.ourcio.ca/post/who-should-lead-ai-in-your-organization-why-the-answer-isnt-as-obvious-as-it-seems

Do you have a thought of your own? Please share it in the comments.

💵Having an Executive accountable for IT can be costly.
💵💵💵The consequences of not having an Executive accountable for IT is often far more costly -- fragmented IT decisions, inconsistent standards, higher operational expenses, missed strategic growth opportunity and value creation.

Learn why companies are replacing re-active IT management with accountable leadership that aligns technology with business outcomes - perfectly rightsized to their needs! www.ourCIO.ca

1 Month Down and 11 To Go!

Less December holidays, summer slowdown, vacation time, never ending meetings, and hopefully some professional development. Throw in capacity constraints, unexpected priorities, and all the other challenges that will be thrown at you. Maybe you are already second guessing all those 2026 initiatives you defined in your plans.

If there were only 2 of you!

https://www.ourCIO.ca/CIO2

CEO's don't need to know if IT is working, they need to know IT is working for the business.

In our latest article, our Founding Partner, Kent Smith, shares 5 questions CEO's should be asking their CIO this year.

https://www.ourcio.ca/post/what-ceos-should-ask-their-cio-in-2026

The numbers are in!

Aside from fulfilling roles as CIOs, CTOs and CISOs, here are the top 3 areas companies turned to ourCIO for support in 2025:

3. Taking a more strategic approach to IT
From comprehensive assessments to building strategic IT plans and roadmaps, organizations sought clarity and direction for their technology investments.

2. Meeting regulatory requirements
We helped businesses draft and execute plans to address audit findings and ensure compliance with evolving regulations.

1. Repairing the IT function
This included mending strained relationships with IT service providers, managing transitions, and improving the structure, performance, and delivery of internal IT teams.

One may have expected AI to be on the list. While we are supporting companies in exploring and adopting new strategies which involve AI, we only observed minimal investments across the small and midsize business space.

What new challenges and opportunities will 2026 brings to the table?

#2025 #2026

As the year comes to a close, we find ourselves reflecting on the incredible journey we’ve shared. It’s been a year filled with growth, collaboration, and achievements, and none of it would have been possible without the support of our amazing team, clients, and community.

The holiday season is a time to celebrate these connections and look forward to the opportunities ahead. From all of us at ourCIO, thank you for being part of our story. Here’s to a bright, successful, and joyful new year!

Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for 2026!

vCIO ≠ Fractional CIO

Both bring IT value, but they’re not the same.
🔹 A vCIO offers remote, standardized guidance. This is good for ongoing IT alignment and vendor management.
🔹 A Fractional CIO embeds with your leadership team to drive transformation, lead initiatives, and shape long-term strategy.

Know what your business needs. Choose wisely.
https://www.ourcio.ca/post/understanding-the-differences-between-a-vcio-and-a-fractional-cio

Understanding the Differences Between a vCIO and a Fractional CIO | ourCIO In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, growing businesses often seek high-level IT leadership without the expense of a full-time executive. Two popular solutions are the Virtual Chief Information Officer (vCIO) and the Fractional Chief Information Officer (fractional CIO). While both r...

What is Business Continuity? It doesn't sound exciting, and it sounds like quite a bit of work. Both true.

But here's the thing: business continuity isn't about excitement, it's about resilience. It's about making sure your organization can keep operating when the unexpected happens. Think loss of a key vendor or system, or think cyberattack, or think loss of key personnel.

ACTION: Confirm your organization has a documented Business Continuity Plan, and get it on the list of to-dos if it doesn't.

BONUS POINTS: Your plan receives regular updates. Your organization practices its plans through tabletop exercises.

Today, ourCIO honours the Credit Unions across the prairies who we are fortunate to serve so closely, on this, the 77th anniversary of International Credit Union Day.

We celebrate the cooperative spirit, community impact, and financial empowerment that Credit Unions bring to millions of Canadians. Their commitment to member-first values continues to inspire us in our work every day.

www.ourCIO.ca/CU

Congratulations to Kim Robinson on her Retirement!!

We are deeply grateful to Kim for sharing the final chapter of her remarkable career with us over the past three-plus years. As CIO, Kim brought exceptional insight, leadership, and dedication—delivering tremendous value to the clients she served.

Though she’s retiring, Kim will always be a cherished part of the ourCIO family. We wish her all the best in this exciting new chapter!