When the UK government's 'stay at home' directive expired three years ago, new research commissioned by Virgin Media O2 Business reveals that more than a fifth of businesses were still upset about a lack of digital skills or dislike of employees due to new technologies.
According to the report, which surveyed more than 1200 public and commercial sector decision makers in the UK, rising energy prices (24%) and inflation-related spending (23%) are the top concerns. in 2023, followed by the persistent scarcity of digital resources. skills (15%) and hiring (10%).
Old technology is hampering the UK's rebound from the pandemic
Although surveyed companies were willing to use their current resources, 72% of respondents felt that their outdated technology was hindering their ability to work effectively. Decision makers are forced to find a compromise between their goals and the issues of 2023, as 36% of respondents rank growth among their top priorities.
More than a third (32%) of decision makers believe that outdated software or hardware (18%) or incompatibility between systems or applications (14%) are the main obstacles to their productivity, indicating that digital transformation It will continue to be a priority for them. on this year's agenda.
Digital skills and remote work remain a challenge
Digital skills are a significant barrier to the acceptance of hybrid work; According to 18% of respondents, operational efficiency is held back by employee opposition to technology or a lack of digital skills. Perhaps that's why 50% of executives think less than half of their staff fully utilize unified communications and collaboration solutions like Teams and Zoom.
Show the value of investing in technology
While advocating for additional investment in technology and connectivity over the past six months, two-thirds (65%) of decision makers noted the need to demonstrate results faster due to increasing budget pressures.
Respondents who said outdated technology severely hampers their ability to operate effectively (79%) said they felt the most pressure for a quick return on investment.
The growing role of IT and partners
Decision makers rely on the insights of their IT teams and external partners to manage costs. The vast majority of respondents (78%) trust their IT and telecom service providers for guidance on how to maximize the value of their aging technology, which encourages companies to trust their IT partners more.
Jo Bertram, Virgin Media O2 Business & Wholesale Managing Director, said: "<...> Latest Virgin Media O2 Business research reveals nearly three-quarters of business leaders say old technology is affecting the ability of your business to operate efficiently and holding back growth As companies face complex operational challenges and a difficult macroeconomic environment, the lessons learned from the pandemic should not be forgotten.