Skip to content Across the globe the economy continues to digitise. Artificial Intelligence, Automation, Cyber Security, Big Data, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Cloud Computing, Data Visualisation, Digital Marketing, E-commerce, Mobile App, Web, Uberisation and the list goes on. Increasingly, digital technologies are being integrated into economic activities effectively transforming how goods, services and information are produced, distributed and consumed.
In a digital economy, there is widespread adoption of digital tools, platforms and infrastructures that facilitate more efficient, transparent and innovative economic processes.
However there are significant challenges that often hinder businesses particularly SMEs from optimizing the enormous opportunities that an increasingly digital economy presents. One of such is the shortage of digital skills. Anecdotal evidence shows that there is a growing mismatch between the kind of skills employees have and the ones employers need.
To combat this challenge as a business owner or manager, an obvious solution you can implement is to prioritize the selection of candidates with relevant digital skills in your hiring process. However that does not fix the problem for those who are already in the door – your current employees. Therefore, the solution is to invest in retraining your staff with the digital skills the business and the market need.
One mistake business managers often make in their attempt at digitizing their operations is to invest heavily in acquiring digital platforms without a corresponding investment in their workers who will use the tools. Some do not even train their workers at all but expect them to figure things out by themselves after acquiring such digital technologies.
Another common mistake business managers make is to erroneously think that only their Information Technology (IT) staff need digital skills. Nothing could be further from the truth. On the contrary, all workers who use or require the use of a digital platform to perform their tasks need to be equipped with digital skills. From the receptionist who inputs customer information on the computer to the unit manager who analyses their department’s performance.
Thank you for stopping by. I’m Ayo Adebamowo. Author, Speaker and Tech Entrepreneur. I’m here to walk your success journey with you. Subscribe to my newsletter for regular nuggets or check out other empowering articles on my blog to help in that journey. My latest book is Make Money, a primer on launching and growing a profitable business.
Written by : Ayo Adebamowo
About the Facilitator – Ayo Adebamowo Ayo Adebamowo is an Author, Speaker and Tech Entrepreneur. He is the founder of MyMedicalBank, a health technology company promoting digital access to healthcare through creating innovative digital solutions.
A Nigerian-British national, Ayo has been named as one of the 70 Most Outstanding Healthcare Professionals in the United Kingdom.
Having started and run various businesses himself in healthcare, technology, agriculture and publishing, Ayo very much understands from a practical point of view the pains, struggles and mistakes aspiring and established business owners often make that delay their success. He therefore brings his wealth of experience coupled with years of experience and research to help other entrepreneurs succeed in their journey.
