Tech-savvy leaders that can deal with customers and their company’s IT infrastructure will replace the sales and marketing types that dominate executive ranks today, according to Michael Capellas, president of Hewlett-Packard Co.
Capellas took the stage at the recent HP World user conference to describe how his work guiding the technology strategies of Oracle Corp., SAP America Inc., Schlumberger Ltd., and Compaq Computer Corp. has helped him combine product knowledge with business acumen.
“The good news for you is there is a great future for all of us technologists,” he said. “The bad news is be careful what you ask for.”
With technology issues creeping into every aspect of running a business, Capellas said that IT workers will be the most likely candidates for top corporate positions. This bucks past trends in which accountants and sales and marketing professionals topped the corporate hierarchy.
“I do think that is a mega-trend,” he said. “If you think of where technology is today, there is no question that anybody who achieves a very senior position is because they are balanced.”