IF YOU THINK information technology people either spend 12 hours a day writing programs or sit around reading the newspaper until something goes wrong - think again.
And if you are convinced they can express themselves only in tech speak and care for nothing beyond the latest killer software applications, then Michael Leung, senior vice-president and chief information officer for the information systems group at Bank of America (Asia), is more than willing to set you straight.
Of course, technical expertise is crucial, but the key thing for IT managers and chief information officers is being able to align technology with business initiatives.
This ability cannot be developed by taking standard certification courses or subscribing to e-learning programmes. It results from constant communication with end users and a keen interest in acquiring business knowledge.
'For instance, I encourage my team to try buying mutual funds to understand how a system should be designed to facilitate this kind of trading,' Mr Leung said.
Over the past 20 years he has made a point of learning from clients, end users and other professionals about how technology should meet corporate needs.
After earning his master's degree in electrical engineering in the mid-1980s and holding a short-term teaching post at the then Hong Kong Polytechnic, Mr Leung moved into the IT field with Philips, where his responsibilities involved telecoms and data systems.