CIOs at the Crossroads; IT chiefs are changing, not dying

MassMutual's chief executive recognized the strategic importance of computers in creating new products. Without computers, it often took a year or more to match a rival's new insurance product; with them, a competitive product could be introduced in a matter of months. Having the computer guy by the CEO's side made perfect sense. Within a few years, the strategic importance of IT was clear. The CIO title surfaced, and gained status in the corporate world.