Businesses’ ability to attract talent will be the key determinant of success in digital business, according to a new report from analyst firm Gartner.
In a survey of decision makers involved in digital business, 90% said that the competition for talent will dictate success in using digital technology to grow revenue.
The majority of respondents (52%) believe that digital talent will be spread across the whole organisation, with only 18% saying it will reside solely in IT.
Gartner analyst Diane Morello says that digital business will change how companies identify, nurture and apply talent.
“Digital business — with its intense focus on using digital technology to glean new revenue from new customers, markets, products, services and channels — will permanently reshape and alter how CIOs and other executives find, develop and acquire knowledge, competencies and expertise,” she said.
Most respondents agreed, with 58% predicting that digital business will require massive cultural and organisational changes.
She advises that companies “work with high-influence HR executives to investigate talent orchestration and to redesign the learning programs required to build digital business expertise.”
Companies need to “focus explicitly on hiring, developing and deploying versatile and multidisciplined teams of people,” says Morello.
“Digital business requires more than hiring individuals and tossing them into makeshift teams; it requires intentional design of teams.”
