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What happens when the people who once kept the lights blinking in the server room begin shaping the decisions that drive the boardroom? In From the Server Room to the Boardroom, we explore the evolving role of technology leadership through the lens of seasoned advisor Glen Cottick —where strategy, innovation, and accountability converge. This series is designed for executives who recognize that technology is no longer a support function, but a defining force behind competitive advantage, risk management, and long-term growth.

You have an IT vendor. They keep the lights on. The Wi-Fi works, your email runs, and when something breaks, someone shows up to fix it. So why are other organizations in your sector bringing in a fractional CIO? Because keeping the lights on and steering the ship are two very different jobs. This article outlines these important differences.

AI is reshaping every sector of the Canadian economy. But inside most organizations, no single executive owns it. A Chief AI Officer changes that. A Fractional CAIO changes that too - without the full-time price tag.

AI adoption is accelerating across every industry, but inside many organizations, it’s happening in a messy, fragmented way. This article cover some important perspective on who should be responsible for IT leadership inside the company.

Technology is no longer a support function, it’s a growth driver, a risk factor, and a strategic differentiator. As we move into 2026, CEOs don’t need to ask their CIOs more questions. They need to ask the right ones.

It’s no secret that ourCIO is fortunate to collaborate closely with several Manitoba Credit Unions. ourCIO had the pleasure of attending the 2025 CUMAM Conference in Winnipeg. It was a fantastic opportunity to support the credit union system and connect with familiar faces beyond the office. Extra enjoyable was having the talented Barrie Davidson join Kent Smith at the booth for the tradeshow.

In today’s digital-first business landscape, your IT services provider plays a critical role in keeping operations running smoothly. Whether it's supporting end-users, or maintaining infrastructure, their performance directly impacts your business. So when things go wrong, or expectations aren’t met, is it okay to be stern?

Aside from a bit of wind, the STARS Air Ambulance Charity Golf Tournament was a great success. ourCIO has sponsored this tournament since it formed in 2022.

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 roles aim to provide strategic IT guidance, they differ significantly in their approach, focus, and delivery. This article explains the differences of these roles so your organization can seek out the right level of IT leadership they are looking to benefit from.

As businesses scale, so do their technology needs. But hiring a full-time Chief Information Officer (CIO) can be costly and, in many cases, unnecessary for companies that are still growing. That’s where Fractional CIOs come in—a flexible, strategic, and cost-effective solution for organizations that need high-level IT leadership without the full-time price tag.

ourCIO's senior technology advisors have a unique vantage point of observing challenges and successes with their work across several organizations and IT teams. This blog post captures our advisors observations of IT challenges plaguing organizations.

A trade war and tariffs have become significant concerns for businesses. The implications of these economic conflicts are far-reaching, affecting everything from increased costs to market uncertainty, to supply chain disruptions and strained vendor relationships. Amidst this turbulence, the Chief Information Officer (CIO) plays a pivotal role in ensuring business continuity and driving innovation.

We are thrilled to announce that Colin McDonald is joining our team! Colin brings a wealth of cybersecurity leadership experience that will greatly benefit the businesses we serve. His impressive background includes overseeing key cybersecurity functions as CISO at People Corporation, Government of Manitoba, Manitoba Public Insurance, and Great West Life.

We are pleased to announce that Paul Beaudry is retiring as a Partner at ourCIO. Paul is committed to his work and will continue to serve ourCIO and its valuable clients as a Business Technology Advisor.

5 YEARS!!! January marks an exciting milestone for ourCIO as we celebrate our 5th anniversary. See a 5 year anniversary message from our Managing Partner, Kent Smith.