The covid-19 crisis has made every business a tech business or, at the very least, a tech-dependent one.
Artificial intelligence, big data, machine learning, 5G technology, design thinking & innovation…. niche technologies that were not so long ago considered just “tech industry buzzwords” are now core business requirements.
According to a McKinsey Global Survey of executives, “the share of digital or digitally enabled products in their portfolios has accelerated by a shocking seven years”.
In this scenario, the need to fill the tech skills gap is greater than ever before. And so it comes as no surprise that businesses are now doing everything they can to hire, onboard, reskill, upskill and upgrade in new technologies.
With businesses going digital faster than ever before, it may seem like technology is now the heartbeat of every business. But “age of digital transformation” or not, we must remember a company’s workforce, and not its technology, is what makes a business really tick.
It is people who are the creators and innovators of technology.
That means you can invest in a reskilling and upskilling program, and yet miss the mark if the program is designed to merely download a set of skills into your workforce. Because unlike your smartphone that can just receive operating system updates on schedule, it goes without saying that people absorb information differently…very differently.
So, a one-size-fits-all, general-purpose training program, even though highly technology-based, won’t miraculously train your workforce (yes, no matter how much money or time you’ve invested in it).
Instead, look for programs that are specifically designed to first map and assess the skill sets of your people and then design customized programs that match the culture, language, and learning capacity of your workforce.
While opting for or creating training programs, keep in mind that learning & development experiences (especially in complex new technologies) should not reduce job satisfaction or put unrealistic demands on your workforce while endeavoring to make your business process successful, meet your organization’s goals, or compete with industry peers.
To ensure this happens, it’s important to collaborate or work with training specialists that are not just knowledge experts in niche technology but also empathetic ones who understand their target audience.
To conclude, programs for reskilling, upskilling, hiring, or upgrading in new technology to ensure business runs smoothly only from the technical aspect will simply not work if they are not people-oriented.
