I’m biased toward small businesses – as ZDNet notes, 99% of US and UK firms are classified as small and medium-sized enterprises. So in that context, some recent research by Verizon found that more than two-thirds of businesses view technology as a critical ally to help them overcome challenges when it comes to improving sales, boosting talent acquisition, and tackling rising inflation and supply chain issues. A similar proportion says that revenue generated through digital operations is higher than pre-pandemic.
And quoting the article — Businesses that have seen the impact of technology on their operations (for example, the 50% increase in e-commerce quoted by some) are unlikely to return to their old ways of working; even if they wanted to, staff and customers have both moved on.
In the new survey results from Denodo, getting trained to support cloud needs” is now the top IT role, exceeding last year’s leading role of “choosing the cloud provider.” This suggests that “IT is no longer the ‘hired hand’ of business,” the survey’s authors state. “IT is a friend of the business, building bridges between IT, the lines of business, and executive management.”
Why do we care?
IT services companies need to ensure they aren’t the dog who finally catches the car. For years, IT has wanted to be critical to the business. Well, it appears we’re well over that threshold now.
So delivering on that promise matters. Are you linking your work specifically to the top-line revenue of the business? Or even managing the cost of goods sold? If not, you’re not where you should be.