Here at King Recruit, we are championing Future Talent Today (#futuretalenttoday). We all know that the future lies in technology and that many businesses are falling behind in their technical abilities and others have no idea where to start when considering how to future proof their business.
SME’s in the South West all know how important technology is but how many are using technology to its maximum potential, are these Businesses using Tech to improve their customer journey, enter new markets, hire top talent, or to support their employees?
Timewade has run a survey in partnership with Tech South West to give us a greater understanding of how businesses in the region are feeling when it comes to making use of technology, as well as exploring what we do well and what could be better.
Here are some takeaways from the survey:
On Business Strategy:
- 91 % say it is extremely likely or very important to have a long term strategy for improving their IT systems and technology!
- 51% said that technology is included in every aspect of their business strategy
- Only 12% said they are extremely well prepared for their long term strategy for implementing improvements to your IT systems technology. 41% said they were very well prepared, 33% are moderately prepared, 7% are slightly prepared and another 7% said they were not prepared at all
On Systems and Software
- 67% of companies say their IT system supports business needs extremely or very well
- 33% of companies say their IT system supports business needs moderately or slightly
On Productivity
- That’s the biggest barriers to adopting best practise technology are:
- Cost
- Knowledge to make the right tech choices
- Time
- Understanding the return on investment
- Lack of skills
- 35% believe the employee’s resistance to change is a barrier to adopting best practise technology solutions
- 42% believe that senior managements resistance to change is a barrier to adopting best practise technology solutions
On Achieving Growth
- How do businesses feel technology can help them grow their business over the next 5 years?
- Improve flexible work options
- Improve delivery service
- Improve data analysis
- Improve efficiency
- What areas of the business where technology could have the biggest positive impact?
- 33% Automation
- 17% Strategy
- 14% AI
- 12% Remote Working
- 7% cloud
- 7% training
- 5% other
- 5% knowledge
- How good are employees at making full use of IT systems and Software for maximum business benefit?
- 9% extremely
- 33% very
- 37% moderately
- 16% slightly
- 5% not at all
The Big Tech Trends
Rate the following technologies in terms of importance to your business now and in 5 years’ time:
NOW
- Remote Working/Anytime Access to Systems and Data
- Cyber Security
- Internal IT Systems
- Cloud Computing
- Business continuity and disaster recovery
- Software/Apps for your employees
- Trading electronically with customers and suppliers
- Internet of things
- AI/Machine Learning
- Robotics
- Augmented/Virtual Reality
- Blockchain
5 YEARS
- Cloud Computing
- Cyber Security
- Internal IT Systems
- Remote Working/Anytime Access to Systems and Data
- Business continuity and disaster recovery
- Software/Apps for your employees
- Trading electronically with customers and suppliers
- Internet of things
- AI/Machine Learning
- Robotics
- Augmented/Virtual Reality
- Blockchain
It’s clear that businesses know they must do more to maximise the benefits of technology. They recognise the importance of strategy but are struggling to make progress.
You have to start somewhere. Talk with colleagues, current providers, business contacts, companies involved with Technology for Success or to Timewade. Maybe even join the Technology for Success group. Knowledge is power!
For the full report download the PDF HERE.
Contact us:
Struggling to recruit top tech talent, contact our dedicated Tech Specialist Magda King on 01392 790 725.