Beyond Keeping the Lights On: Why Strategic Alignment Between Business and Technology Is No Longer Optional

4/29/2025 • Jason Wilkinson

Written by Jason Wilkinson

It’s been decades since the rise of the personal computer, the birth of the internet, and the dawn of the digital age. These milestones didn’t just shape our lives—they revolutionized the way businesses operate. Across industries, innovation, efficiency, and productivity have soared thanks to technological advancement. And yet, after more than 25 years in the trenches as a technologist, executive, and consultant, I still hear the same tired refrains:

“Technology is just a cost center."
"It’s necessary—but not valuable.”

This perception isn’t just outdated—it’s dangerous.

The issue isn’t just how technology is viewed; it’s how it’s used. When organizations treat IT as a utility—just another line item to manage—they reinforce the idea that simply “keeping the lights on” is enough. But in today’s business landscape, that mindset puts companies at a competitive disadvantage.

The truth? Technology is no longer a support function. It’s a strategic driver.

When Technology Leads, Business Follows

Companies that integrate technology into the core of their strategy don’t just run more efficiently—they outperform. They innovate faster, respond to market changes with agility, and deliver better customer experiences. But the key ingredient is strategic alignment.

Think of it like an orchestra. When each instrument (or team) is in tune and playing the same piece, you get harmony. But when technology plays a different tune—or doesn’t know the music at all—the result is chaos: duplicated efforts, bloated budgets, and frustrated customers.

Strategic alignment ensures technology investments aren’t just “nice to have”—they’re directly tied to business outcomes. It shifts the conversation from tools to transformation: reimagining business models, evolving processes, and delivering exceptional experiences.

What Happens When Alignment Is Missing?

Without strategic alignment, problems multiply:

• Tech for tech’s sake. Trendy tools are adopted without solving real problems.
• Over-engineered solutions. Teams build complexity when simplicity was the goal.
• Siloed efforts. Business and tech units operate in isolation.
• Missed opportunities. Critical needs go unnoticed—and unmet.
• Customer frustration. Disconnected systems lead to broken experiences.

In these environments, technology leaders feel excluded from the strategy table, while business leaders underestimate what technology could actually deliver. The result? Wasted potential and avoidable setbacks.

Getting to Alignment

Alignment isn’t a milestone—it’s a mindset. And like any worthwhile endeavor, it’s a journey. Here’s what that journey looks like:

1. Identify the business drivers. What outcomes truly matter?
2. Develop a technology strategy. Build with purpose—not just capability.
3. Assess current alignment. Where are the gaps? What’s causing them?
4. Prioritize initiatives. Focus on what moves the needle.
5. Build the roadmap. Plan the path forward—then walk it.
6. Adapt continuously. Because strategy doesn’t stand still.

We’ll dive deeper into each of these steps in a future post.

So, ask yourself:
Are your technology investments advancing your strategy—or just keeping the lights on?

If you’re ready to rethink the role of technology in your organization, let’s talk. Strategic alignment isn’t just possible—it’s essential.