Global enterprises face obstacles in their quest for growth due to the struggle to hire high-value workers, according to a study conducted by Expereo. The research indicates that 33% of global Chief Information Officers (CIOs) find it challenging to recruit knowledge workers who can drive their international expansion plans. Consequently, 32% of CIOs have resorted to hiring individuals they have never met face-to-face.
The competition for talent emerges as a significant concern. Among the top barriers preventing business growth identified by CIOs are skills and resource retention (35%), complex security environments (35%), and intricate physical and geopolitical infrastructure (33%). Furthermore, finding the right mix of business and technology skills presents a challenge for 40% of CIOs.
The study reveals that recruitment difficulties extend to specific areas, including governance and regulatory compliance, with 31% of CIOs struggling to find the appropriate competencies. Additionally, CIOs encounter the greatest challenges when seeking expertise in growth technologies such as cybersecurity (49%), artificial intelligence and machine learning (41%), and data analytics (38%).
Fortunately, 43% of global CIOs believe that adopting a hybrid or remote working policy has expanded their access to talented individuals from a broader geographical pool. As a result, 38% of CIOs currently have teams located in different countries or markets.
The paradigm shift toward flexible working is driven by the desire to attract and retain the most skilled employees. Nearly half (48%) of CIOs consider flexible working arrangements as a key factor for talent recruitment and retention. Consequently, 32% of CIOs confess to hiring individuals they have never met in person to tap into a global pool of workers and partners.
Moreover, the study indicates that the new normal for businesses entails employees spending three or fewer days in the office. The rising demand for hybrid or remote working is partly attributed to cost-of-living pressures, as identified by 44% of global CIOs. However, a third of CIOs anticipate an increase in the number of office working days, citing concerns about productivity and home connectivity issues.
Nevertheless, while access to a more diverse talent pool is advantageous, CIOs also face challenges in terms of application performance across multiple locations (41%) and delivering round-the-clock support across different time zones (37%).
Ben Elms, Chief Revenue Officer at Expereo, emphasizes the importance of technology that facilitates connectivity and collaboration in a remote working environment. In a world where organizations prioritize growth through global expansion, adaptability in meeting various connectivity needs swiftly is crucial.
In conclusion, global enterprises grapple with the struggle to hire high-value workers, hindering their growth plans. However, the adoption of hybrid or remote working policies enables businesses to tap into a wider talent pool. Nonetheless, organizations must bridge the connectivity gap and provide seamless application performance to ensure sustained success in a digitally transformed world.
