The 6th edition of CIO@IST, an event that brings to IST top executives from major companies to share and promote the discussion on the current challenges for computer engineering, took place on March 8. David Alves, CIO (Chief Information Officer) of Sonae group, was the guest speaker of this edition and shared the recent changes of the company, namely in retail business.

David Alves was elected CIO of the Year 2016 by CIONET, for his relevant role at Sonae’s Business Information & Technology (BIT). According to the CIO, the key to success lies in having “a team capable of keeping up with technology” and implement working methods focused on “autonomy and competence of each worker”, thus “reducing formalism and hierarchy”.

Sonae’s working model, based on “think, deliver, run”, was highlighted during the lecture, as well as Sonae’s role in the labour market, in the economy and in the daily life of “more than 90% of Portuguese people” who, by consuming the products and services of the company, “are directly influenced by our actions”.