Rent-a-CIO

AN EXECUTIVE TECHNOLOGIST post is never easy to fill. Technologies can quickly outpace the capabilities of under-experienced information technology staff, while full-fledged COs may not be cost effective for a corporation at certain stages of its life cycle. The trick is to find highly qualified information

A new venture called Tatum CIO Partners LLP operates like a law firm for ClOs, hiring out its "partners" by retainer to firms looking for short-term, interim, or project-based information technology guidance.

Each CIO partner has more than 20 years' experience, including previous experience in a tech-oriented leadership position. Headquartered in Atlanta, GA, Tatum CIO currently has more than 30 partners in five cities who hail from such companies as CBS, EMI Music, Fortune Brands, RJR Nabsico, and Sony.

"What we sell is a CIO who already has the gold bar on his shoulders," says companv Chairman Robert Potter.

"He can move into the management structure of any company and perform at avery high level. And in using the partnership, the client not only gains the intellectual capital of the incumbent partner, he gets access to the intellectual capital of the entire firm."