We recently reported that most small and mid-size businesses that made IT a priority reported revenue gains in 2009. It seems many business leaders already figured that out.

A new survey from Gartner, Inc., discovered that 62% of CEOs recognize that IT-enabled changes will be a key element in their post-recession strategy.  Only 13% disagree.

Most importantly, the Gartner survey found CEOs are no longer looking to contain the damage of the global recession. They’ve got their eyes on boosting profits once again.

Want proof? In 2009, CEOs initially placed cost cutting at the top of their priorities to cope with the sudden and severe recession. In 2010, the focus for 71%t of business leaders is a return to revenue growth.

Preliminary results from the survey show 42% of business leaders are already focusing more on revenue growth than cost control.

In the third quarter of 2009, Gartner did a targeted Web-based survey of 190 senior business executives, 81 of whom were CEOs, to capture their views and priorities for 2010 and beyond.

The survey examined companies in the US and UK with annual revenues of more than $1 billion and specifically excluded technology service providers and government.
“These preliminary results will help CIOs and their teams with the planning and budgeting work they are doing in the next few months,” said Mark Raskino, research vice president and Gartner fellow.

“Business leaders are gasping for growth after a long period holding their breath, and they are expecting to increase the importance of IT in their post-recession approach. It is critical that CIOs review business leaders’ rapidly changing tactical business priorities and often unstated new expectations of where IT can help as the economy turns.”

In other words: This might be the right time for IT chiefs to take advantage of their bosses’ positive attitude toward spending on technology. Make those budget proposals sharp and business-focused.

Reprinted with permission of PBP Media