Second, you need to have an open conversation with your business unit, preferably face to face. Does the business unit agree that you've fixed the problem? Can you find better ways to work together to ensure that this situation won't be repeated? How can you earn their trust? If you know you can't afford to do what the business unit asks, you must be very clear about that and ask what else can be done. Eventually, either you'll agree, or you'll agree to disagree.

Finally, deliver, deliver and deliver. If you have ended up agreeing to disagree, ask what you can do to help -- after all, you all work for the same company. If a commercially available software system is better for your business owner, then do what you need to do to make the transition as smooth as possible.

3. How can business managers take full advantage of IT in a dysfunctional company? You still engage IT. Invite the IT manager to your group's meetings. Ask what your group can do to be a better customer of IT, and explain what your group needs from IT to do its job well.

Eventually, all dysfunctional companies stop being dysfunctional. Some simply stop being, dying painful deaths. Some get bought. Many get new CEOs. If you are part the functional team within a dysfunctional company, you'll have far greater opportunities when the dysfunctions get sorted out.

Virginia Robbins is a former CIO and is now chief operations officer at North Bay Bancorp in Napa, Calif. Contact her at vrobbins@ sbcglobal.net.