In the 1980s and 1990s) CEOs focused their attention on understanding information technology investments) which ran the gamut from Y2K compliance to developing Internet capabilities and building e-businesses. Unquestionably) these investments required CEOs to get their arms around information technology issues that often presented significant obstacles. These obstacles ranged from the difficulty of estimating costs that often changed in midstream to defining benefits that mayor may not materialize. Over the last 20 years) CEOs have increasingly made information technology a key part of their agenda. In fact) CEOs are routinely managing their information technology strategy as an investment that will build new capabilities rather than a cost to improve current operations. In other words) information technology has become a critical element of not just keeping the organization competitive but also positioning it properly for the future.
Enter the CEO agenda for the 21st century. While information technology has been elevated to the ranks of a top-priority for the organization) understanding the organization)s commitment and investment in education has now joined IT as a high priority for the organization. In fact) a growing number ofCEOs are becoming increasingly committed to developing new and innovative learning programs and sharing these with the investment community. For example) when George David) CEO of United Technologies Corporation (UTC)) announced the revolutionary Employee Scholar Program to security analysts in 1995) he said) "We want to have the best educated work force on the planet.)) The Employee Scholar Program was designed to prepay tuition and fees for all employees) give employees paid time off for study) and upon graduation present each employee an award of company stock worth $10)000.
This level of commitment by United Technologies is unique. But it's totally consistent with the philosophy of George David) the enlightened CEO who said in 1995) "We have the Employee Scholar Program because I believe education is the single biggest discriminating factor between fear of job loss and anticipation of job change. We want our employees to be