As we near the year 2022, we are still grappling with the aftermath of a tumultuous period marked by profound upheavals and shifts. Far from the promised clarity and understanding, the future remains shrouded in ambiguity, with a constantly evolving landscape. In such circumstances, it becomes crucial to remain flexible and nimble, revising strategies and methods to stay ahead of the curve. With a proactive approach and regular assessments, individuals, businesses or organisations can be better equipped to tackle the challenges of this constantly shifting terrain.
A survey conducted by IDG in August on the impact of the pandemic on businesses reveals that proactive measures are now necessary. 400 IT professionals were surveyed, with results indicating that there are “clear signs” of a shift in focus from crisis management towards the implementation of strategic plans. With the end of 2022 fast approaching, organisations are now looking towards long-term planning beyond crisis response.
The survey’s key findings include:
- For 2022, 41 percent of respondents expect an increase in technology spending.
- According to the survey, 69 percent of respondents revealed that the pandemic has compelled them to expedite project completion.
- Over 50 percent of companies are not planning to re-establish their teams in traditional office spaces.
- It was discovered that businesses can operate effectively with as few as 23% of their staff physically present.
- According to 62 percent of respondents, it will be equally or more difficult to find employees after the pandemic, as it was before.
Over the past few years, remote work has gained momentum.
The poll’s results revealed that remote work has been effective for many organisations. More than half of the respondents stated that they have no intentions of returning to traditional office settings, reflecting the changing perceptions towards remote work, with a more positive outlook than before the pandemic. Furthermore, this shift in mindset is illustrated by the fact that managers now recognise the possibility of operating with just a quarter of their team physically present.
Despite the economic uncertainty, many businesses are increasing their IT investment and expediting their development process. This is owing to rising customer demand for digital products and services. As customer expectations shift, companies are prioritising their digital transformation efforts to stay competitive and meet investors’ expectations for superior digital experiences.
Despite the challenges of talent acquisition, it seems that this trend will endure for the foreseeable future. As a result, businesses may need to adopt new strategies for attracting talent, given various factors at play. These include the need for promptness amidst ongoing staffing challenges, as well as increasing acceptance of remote work. To meet project timelines and stay within budget, employers may need to capitalise on a global pool of workers, as the traditional 30 to 60-day recruitment time frame may not be feasible in certain situations, making this approach particularly valuable.
According to a survey by IDG, 30% of participants expressed a willingness to engage external engineers to help with their projects. This should prompt a reassessment of how organisations can enhance their engineering teams. It is not just a matter of transferring obligations or cutting expenses; it is also about advancing progress, swiftly adapting to changing conditions, and having the required expertise readily available when needed.
Read more on this topic in our article: Remote Work: New Norm? Recent GitLab Survey Says So
