CIOs have a workforce problem.As their companies seize on automation, AI and other leading-edge technologies to remake themselves into digital organizations, they’re finding they don’t have the skills they need.Consider some numbers released by Gartner this fall: The IT research firm found that 70 percent of employees have not mastered the skills they need for their existing jobs while 80 percent lack the skills they need now and for future career success.Moreover, only 44 percent of the more than 2,500 CIOs polled in a recent Robert Half Technology report said their technology departments were adequately staffed and 77 percent said it was somewhat or very challenging to find people with up-to-date digital skills. Worse, 38 percent of the companies responding to a recent Nintex report indicated that transformation initiatives failed to meet expectations because of a lack of sufficient in-house talent. … [Read more...] about 6 soft skills IT needs to succeed in the digital era
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12 certifications for enterprise architects
If you’re planning a career as an enterprise architect (EA), certifications are a great way to validate your EA skills. As an EA, you’ll be responsible for developing the IT strategy for a business that keeps business goals in line with IT goals. Companies rely heavily on technology, so IT is now a foundational part of any strong business strategy. These certifications test your skills, knowledge and abilities working with EA frameworks, tools, software and best practices.Whether you want to focus on cloud, applications, software or other areas of enterprise architecture, one or more of these 12 certifications will help strengthen your resume.Top 12 enterprise architecture certifications AWS Certified Solution Architect Axelos ITIL Master certification CISSP Information Systems Security Architecture Professional (CISSIP-ISSAP) Dell EMC Proven Professional Cloud architect training and certification EC Council Certified Network Defense Architect (CNDA) Google Professional … [Read more...] about 12 certifications for enterprise architects
13 tips for grooming IT leaders
Newly forged IT managers face a daunting challenge: They need deep technical knowledge to oversee a technology team — along with a mix of specific soft skills that help them motivate their former peers.With this in mind, how should you go about identifying IT staff who are ready to make the jump into their first management jobs? And what should their managers be prepared for, in terms of training them to lead, and providing what they need to be successful?Read on for 13 tips from IT professionals who’ve successfully groomed employees from the ranks to leadership positions and have some thoughts on how to make it work. They explain how to successfully zero in on the most important traits in tech pros who are ready to take the next step.Identify candidates early … [Read more...] about 13 tips for grooming IT leaders
5 keys to reskilling IT for digital transformation
As a seasoned CIO Scott Laverty has learned a thing or two about assessing IT’s limitations and needs. So when Laverty signed on as executive vice president and CIO of Shane Co. three years ago to launch a digital overhaul of the jewelry chain, “We made sure we were not only thinking about what skillsets we needed in-house, but also what we needed to add,” he says.Too often, “I have seen people try to screw in software and try to use the people they have without thinking about, ‘What do I need to do to use the tool I put in?’” says Laverty, who previously held CIO positions at J.C. Penny and Borders.First up was transforming a homegrown .NET website to one that was mobile responsive and would have an “omni-channel view for millennials,’’ he says. That meant deploying a new ecommerce platform and a set of tools and improving Shane’s data by building a data lake in Hadoop. Laverty’s IT department includes 42 people … [Read more...] about 5 keys to reskilling IT for digital transformation
10 must-have skills for ITSM pros
New technologies like machine learning, cloud computing and IoT are changing how businesses serve clients and customers. Deploying these technologies in an IT service management (ITSM) environment can help businesses offer better customer and client service, while eliminating errors and monitoring service processes in the business. It’s becoming an increasingly important methodology in the enterprise as companies rely more on chatbots, automation and the cloud to manage IT services.If you’re looking to become an ITSM professional, or your organization is looking to hire for ITSM roles, here are the 10 skills needed to succeed.AutomationAutomation is a growing trend in customer service — most often in the form of chatbots and automated processes. But it’s still in its early stages — skilled ITSM professionals will need to have an eye on how automation will grow in the business.“Integrating network solutions will allow ITSM processes to trigger … [Read more...] about 10 must-have skills for ITSM pros