Technology Skills Gap: Fact or Fiction? Part II

IT budgets have remained relatively flat over recent years; however, global IT spending is on the rise. Incremental IT spending has begun to spread across various lines of business throughout corporations; now IT is no longer just the CIO's job. We are seeing CXOs with their own IT budgets as information technology continually evolves.

Businesses are finding new ways to leverage cloud computing, data analytics and mobility to empower their workforces with advanced communications and collaboration capabilities. To continually reap the benefits of new technology, business people are now challenged to effectively integrate IT across their lines of business. These forces are behind the shift away from homogenous IT deployments to a more individualized IT strategy that better aligns with each respective business process.

IT is always evolving, and to stay globally competitive, executives must understand the significance of the changing landscape. Hiring the right talent to not only install the technology, but to understand how it will affect the entire business, is critical. Employing a staff of highly competent network professionals who understand the business implications of IT deployments is where companies can effectively differentiate themselves and drive value.

In today's global IT landscape, the most indispensable resource is not the hardware or software, it is the individuals who leverage networks to better meet business requirements. As a follow-up to the first installment of Technology Skills Gap: Fact or Fiction, Gary Beach and I continue to discuss the implications of a changing IT landscape and the importance of IT professionals in ensuring companies stay competitive. How can companies better utilize IT budgets? How should hiring managers go about seeking the right talent?