About Susan
Who is Susan Cramm?
Susan Cramm is a distinguished expert faculty member at the Best Practice Institute (BPI), where her work focuses on leadership development, organizational effectiveness, and cultivating positive workplace cultures. Beyond her contributions to BPI, she holds the vital roles of Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Treasurer at International Sanctuary, an organization dedicated to the global fight against modern-day slavery. Her multifaceted career reflects a deep commitment to both professional excellence and social impact.
Cramm is widely recognized as the founder of Valuedance®, a pioneering leadership coaching firm. Through Valuedance®, she played a pivotal role in establishing and advancing the IT coaching profession. Her approach is characterized by a unique blend of passion for developing others, insightful perspectives on leadership, and extensive experience gained from executive-level positions.
What is Susan Cramm known for?
Susan Cramm is primarily known for her expertise in leadership coaching, particularly within the realm of information technology. She garnered significant recognition as an award-winning columnist for CIO Magazine, authoring the influential "Executive Coach" column from 2000 to 2007. Her writing provided invaluable guidance to IT leaders, helping them navigate the complexities of their roles and drive strategic business outcomes. This work, alongside her executive experience, allowed her to contribute significantly to CIO Wisdom: Best Practices from Silicon Valley Technologies, offering insights into the evolving role of the Chief Information Officer.
Her contributions extend to thought leadership in organizational change and strategic business-IT alignment. Cramm has served on the discerning review boards for CIO Magazine’s Enterprise Value Award and CIO 100 Award, underscoring her influence and respected voice within the industry. She is also the author of the critically acclaimed book, 8 Things We Hate About I.T.: How To Move Beyond The Frustrations To Form A New Partnership with I.T., published by Harvard Press, which offers practical strategies for fostering productive relationships between business and IT departments. Her ongoing contributions to publications like Booz Strategy+Business further demonstrate her commitment to sharing contemporary insights on leadership and management.
What is Susan Cramm's background and experience?
Susan Cramm’s career is marked by substantial executive leadership experience, including roles as a CFO and CIO, though the specific companies are not publicly detailed. These executive positions provided her with a deep understanding of organizational dynamics, strategic decision-making, and the critical intersection of business and technology. This practical, high-level experience forms the bedrock of her coaching philosophy and her ability to provide realistic, actionable advice.
As the founder of Valuedance®, Cramm has dedicated herself to cultivating strong leadership. Her firm focuses on developing individuals and teams, drawing upon her extensive research and years spent in demanding executive environments. This background allowed her to develop a keen sense of the challenges leaders face and the most effective strategies for overcoming them. Her pioneering work in IT coaching illustrates an innovative spirit and a foresight into the evolving needs of the technology sector.
What topics does Susan Cramm speak and write about?
Susan Cramm speaks and writes extensively on a range of critical topics pertinent to modern leadership and organizational effectiveness. Her primary areas of focus include leadership coaching, IT leadership, organizational evolution, and achieving strategic alignment between business objectives and information technology initiatives. She delves into subjects such as developing a holistic leadership approach, fostering honest communication, and challenging conventional "best practices" to spur innovation within management.
Her published works, including her book 8 Things We Hate About I.T. and her columns for CIO Magazine and Booz Strategy+Business, explore themes of fostering strong partnerships between business units and IT, managing organizational change, and developing robust leadership capabilities. She addresses how leaders can leverage IT as a strategic asset rather than merely an operational function, and how to create work environments that encourage growth and adaptability.
How does Susan Cramm contribute to the Best Practice Institute?
As an expert faculty member, Susan Cramm significantly enriches the Best Practice Institute through her extensive knowledge and practical experience in leadership, organizational development, and workplace culture. She contributes to BPI’s mission by providing valuable insights on subjects like coaching, learning and development, strategic planning, and fostering creativity and innovation within organizations. Her specialization in IT leadership and strategic business-IT alignment offers a unique perspective crucial for BPI’s diverse audience.
Cramm has actively participated in BPI initiatives, including presentations such as "The CIO Circa 2015" webinar, which focused on ensuring that business leads with IT, and emphasizing IT’s role in driving innovation. Her involvement ensures BPI members have access to cutting-edge thought leadership and practical strategies for developing their own leadership capabilities and transforming their organizations. She is a vital resource for BPI members seeking to navigate complex organizational challenges and cultivate high-performing teams.