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Computerworld - Most companies would say they value IT employees who can work effectively with business users, but at Discover Financial Services, it's a way of life.

"It starts with our hiring," says CIO Glenn Schneider. "We go beyond the technology component and look at what their business background is and how business-savvy they are." Sometimes the company will hire a business major over a technology major and put that person into a business analyst, business liaison or project management job, he says.

That emphasis on the needs of the business pays off in terms of credibility, he says. In fact, IT people are sometimes asked to work on problems for which the solution turns out not to involve technology at all. "The exciting thing is, that's the respect we have gotten from our business partners," Schneider says. "They appreciate our knowledge and insights."

Discover has a "dual-track" career path that rewards both technologists and business-oriented IT people.

While Discover does recruit IT people right out of school, nearly all of its hires have already interned at the company. Schneider says he tries to put all his employees on important, highly visible projects. "It's great for morale, because they are working on something they know will move the needle of the company."

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