The Fractional CIO, Explained | Ep. 18 w/Dan Heckaman

What happens when a business has outgrown ad hoc IT help but isn't ready for a full-time CIO? Dan Heckaman has built his work around that gap. Andy and Brandi sit down with Dan in Fargo to talk about what changes when a fractional CIO joins the team, including owning the roadmap, earning trust during change, and knowing when an organization is ready to move forward. Dan also shares how he thinks about IT spending, what separates a partner from a vendor, and why his goal in every engagement is to work himself out of a job. Dan Heckaman is the founder of Mindset Partners, where he serves as a fractional CIO for small and mid-sized businesses. He brings more than 25 years of IT and administrative leadership across private healthcare and higher education. Most recently he was Associate Vice President for Finance and Administration and CIO at Minnesota State University Moorhead. → Why the line between advising and leading comes down to "I think you should" vs. "how are we going to" → Dan's test for telling a partner from a vendor → Why Dan won't take on an org. until it's ready, not just willing → "If you're asking 'do we need it,' probably better make the call." 0:00 – Welcome & meet Dan Heckaman 3:01 – Fractional CIO vs. consultant: where accountability starts 9:47 – When it's a fit (and when it isn't) 12:42 – Leading teams through change 18:09 – From healthcare and higher ed to Mindset Partners 26:59 – "Do we need a CIO?" and having hard conversations 32:13 – Every IT dollar as an investment 34:01 – Partners vs. vendors 37:23 – Readiness and the first next step 44:00 – Questions from the jar 🗨️ Mentioned in this episode: Fractional CIO – A part-time, contracted CIO who becomes part of an organization's leadership team and shares accountability for its technology strategy Mindset Partners – https://www.mindsetpartnersnd.com Connect with Dan:   / danheckaman   🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode. 📲 Follow us: LinkedIn, Facebook, & Instagram: @highpointnetworks #GetToThePoint #FractionalCIO #HighPointNetworks Get to the Point is produced by High Point Networks for informational purposes only. Guests include High Point Networks professionals as well as subject matter experts from across the industry, each speaking from their own experience and expertise. Content shared is intended as general information and should be evaluated within the context of your specific organization and circumstances. Views expressed by outside guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of High Point Networks or its affiliates. High Point Networks assumes no liability for decisions or actions taken based on content discussed in this podcast.