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All issuesVolume 333, Issue 3IT NewsCxO

How CIOs Can Win Tech Investments From CFOs And Boards

CIO, Friday, December 19th, 2025

Want board approval for tech? Stop pitching IT and start telling a business story about value, risk, ROI and where the company is headed.

When I transitioned from the CFO's desk to a leadership coach and as a director on corporate boards, I observed a truth: that securing approval for technology investment isn't just an IT conversation. But it's a business conversation.

It's about trust, alignment, language and, most importantly, shared purpose. For every CIO reading this article, note that the money you seek is not simply a line item in a budget, but it's the future your business is seeking to build. Getting it backed by your finance team and endorsed by the Board will enable smooth implementation for you as the CIO. Here's how you can go about it.

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