Big Data, Analytics, Cloud. These three concepts are surrounded by an incredible hype in the last years, but are they really the key to success in the years to come? Using the data from three of the world's largest studies on the priorities, strategies and careers of technology leaders we examine two specific issues: innovation practices and skill profile. Innovation is not an end in itself but a stepping stone to achieve superior business performance. If technologies such as big data or cloud aren't connected to the core business and objectives of the company they are just information, not knowledge. In order to benefit of these technologies, ClOs should focus their attention on how to strategically align these technologies (and the underlying information they can provide) with the core business, in order to improve the business process. Concerning the second topic skills profile development, in the recent years we have witnessed an extremely dynamic setting. In a short span of time we have moved on from the era of mobile technologies to cloud/analytics databases. Consequently, specific skills of IT staff are constantly fluctuating, and professionals are struggling to catch up with the new demands. However, despite new trends demand the development of new skills, it seems that there are some "transversal" or "knowledgeable" skills that will always be needed and indispensable e.g., project manager. The overreaching conclusion is that even the foremost tools/innovations/technologies are ineffective if not properly supported with an appropriate knowledge management process.
