Breaking news

Lack Of AI Skills Slows Innovation

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

June 14, 2024

The most serious obstacle to digital transformation in companies is the mismatch between the skills of employees and the ever-increasing pace of innovation, concludes a global report by SoftwareOne.

Key Facts

Nearly two-thirds (62%) of survey respondents indicated that they do not have sufficient skills to work with artificial intelligence (AI), while at the same time, 41% of organizations are having difficulty finding qualified employees with AI experience and knowledge.
The lack of cloud skills has increased the workload of employees (62% of respondents) and has led to significant consequences, including burnout and increased turnover.
Nearly a quarter of global IT managers (23%) are considering leaving their jobs precisely because of this shortage, while at the same time, for 84% of companies, retaining IT talent is becoming a significant challenge.
Talent retention problems in companies are further exacerbated by team conflicts. 34% of the respondents point to the lack of skills to work with cloud technologies as a reason for tension between them and the direct manager, and 42% perceive it as a reason for conflicts in the team. One in five (22%) respondents said they did not feel comfortable asking for additional training to improve their skills.

Important Quote

“Rapid advances in AI and generative AI create exciting prospects for companies around the world, but when it comes to teams, organizations are sitting on a ticking time bomb if they don’t upskill and upskill their employees to realize AI’s potential,” says Brian Duffy, CEO of SoftwareOne.

What To Watch For

The research highlights the importance of prioritizing employees working more closely with advanced technology, which is proving key amid growing skills gaps in cloud and AI. This would significantly transform organizational dynamics, with 97% of companies planning to upskill their employees, the survey found.

“Our research shows that a large number of organizations are planning to enhance the capabilities of their IT teams to accelerate AI and cloud deployments. By putting people at the center and demonstrating the benefits of innovation for their roles in the organization, companies can build a supportive and positive environment that helps retain employees, increases productivity and makes work more meaningful.”

Tangent

The SoftwareOne Cloud Skills Report surveyed 500 senior management respondents in the UK, Benelux, North America and Australia, exploring how the cloud skills shortage is affecting IT teams and what plans are in place to address it in 2024

HSBC Restructures Banking Divisions and Appoints First Female CFO

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 22, 2024

HSBC is undergoing significant changes as part of a strategic restructuring led by new CEO Georges Elhedery. The bank is merging its commercial and investment banking units in a bid to streamline its operations, cut costs, and enhance efficiency. This transformation includes consolidating its business into four divisions: UK, Hong Kong, corporate and institutional banking, and wealth banking. The newly formed corporate and institutional banking division will integrate commercial banking with its global banking and markets business, along with its Western wholesale operations.

A notable aspect of this overhaul is the appointment of Pam Kaur, HSBC’s first female Chief Financial Officer, marking a historic moment for the bank. Kaur, who has been with HSBC since 2013 and currently serves as Chief Risk and Compliance Officer, will step into this leadership role at a time when the bank is under pressure to reduce expenses and optimize its business structure.

Other leadership shifts include Greg Guyett assuming a new role as Chair of the Strategic Clients Group and the departure of Colin Bell, CEO of HSBC Bank and Europe, who is leaving to pursue other opportunities. HSBC has been gradually reducing its presence in Western markets like the U.S., France, and Canada to focus on its stronger foothold in Asia.

These changes are part of HSBC’s broader efforts to simplify operations and position itself for future success in an increasingly competitive and cost-sensitive environment.