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Does Your Organization Need a Chief Innovation Officer? A CINO isn't just a one-man ideas machine. They help to create a company culture of innovation, and get investors on board with visionary change.

By Tanner Simkins

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

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It has been refreshing to see that in recent years a formal c-suite position, Chief Innovation Officer (CINO), is becoming increasingly popular on executive teams. A relatively new position, the title Chief Innovation Officer was coined for the first time in 1998, yet around 30 percent of Fortune 500 companies currently have a Chief Innovation Officer working in some capacity.

As the role becomes more mainstream, many leaders have questions about what this position entails and whether their organization needs it. To help answer that question, here's an overview of the role, including a look at some of the benefits that CINOs provide and some key traits that an effective CINO would bring to your leadership team.

Responsibilities of CINOs