Global IT Competitions
With the increasing availability of IT boot camps and online courses, it has become crucial for developers to stay updated by constantly enhancing their skills and gaining new knowledge. Even with the global scarcity of developers, the IT industry remains highly competitive, which means that development teams need to be constantly seeking ways to better themselves. This pursuit can lead to a range of benefits, including access to more prestigious positions, more lucrative clients, and other opportunities for career advancement.
Here are five guidelines that development teams can follow to keep pace with the rapidly growing market.
Recognize areas where knowledge is lacking.
A recent survey of 500 senior executives revealed that a vast majority of 92% are concerned about the shortage of technical and interpersonal skills in the US workforce. Surprisingly, 44% of C-suite executives attribute this gap to the lack of “soft skills” such as communication, creativity, and teamwork. It is essential to identify any potential skill gaps within the team and provide training for employees to develop relevant skills. Alternatively, companies can address these shortages by hiring developers who possess specialized knowledge.
Foster a conducive and friendly workplace that encourages teamwork.
Managing remote teams can be a significant challenge for businesses, especially when it comes to creating an atmosphere of transparency and openness. However, when team members are given the chance to share their opinions and contribute ideas, new and innovative concepts can emerge. Employing modern communication tools such as Slack, video conferencing, file sharing applications, and time monitoring tools can promote collaboration and teamwork. Encouraging employees to express their ideas and insights can positively impact business performance and ensure the company remains competitive. The Agile methodology provides several techniques and tools that facilitate effective teamwork within a business.
Facilitate the acquisition of new skills.
Organizations should actively invest in the professional development of their software professionals. By providing opportunities for professional growth, businesses can not only benefit their employees but also save costs by retaining existing staff instead of having to recruit new ones. This conclusion is backed by research data.
- Organizations that offer professional development programs are associated with a 34% increase in employee retention rates.
- Half as many individuals prioritize career advancement over a higher salary.
- According to a recent survey, 70% of respondents considered the availability of professional growth opportunities as a crucial factor in deciding to continue working for their current employer. Therefore, it is advisable for employers to encourage and incentivize the professional development of their employees to keep them engaged and retained.
- Professional training programs can increase employee engagement by 15%.
Professional training programs assist businesses in retaining their best performers, which is essential for staying competitive in the market.
Tackle challenging coding problems
Although coding contests are frequently targeted towards beginners, current employees at large organizations may also participate. If there is any free time in your company’s schedule, consider hosting a coding competition for your team to assess their abilities, or simply for recreational purposes for the IT department. In addition, coding contests can uncover hidden talents that may be of interest to upper management. After the coding challenge is completed, team leaders can consider realigning members to optimize productivity.
Reassess the team’s key priorities.
For successful outcomes, it is crucial that all team members are familiar with both internal and external priorities. In this industry, high-quality outcomes must be delivered within tight timelines. A lack of clarity regarding which clients and projects take priority could result in substandard work and unhappy customers.
Satisfying clients alone is not enough when it comes to team goals; managers must regularly evaluate team performance to understand employees’ career advancement goals and experiences. Additionally, it is imperative to conduct frequent assessments of the team’s internal procedures to identify and address any potential issues.
To stay competitive in today’s market, development teams must consistently pursue professional development and maintain regular communication. It is crucial to eliminate any skill gaps and proactively adapt to new technologies and evolving customer requirements to ensure success.
