Are you ready for the upturn?

The problem, however, is that firms can only act in a bespoke manner if the right human resources are in place.

Many companies have under-invested in in-house IT during the past five years. Attracting new IT staff will be tough enough, but existing people will also move on if they feel they haven't been looked after during the downturn.

Such moves will occur because top IT professionals will have more options in the upturn. Increased demand for digital innovation will lead to a scramble for talent and key technology skills.

Attracting new IT staff will be tough enough, but existing people will also move on if they feel they haven't been looked after during the downturn.

Firms that have pushed down too hard during constrained economic conditions will find their desire for growth is left floundering due to a lack of talent.

As one CIO said to me recently, preparing for economic change is always complex but getting access to the right people in an upturn is absolutely crucial. So, is your business ready for a move to a higher gear?

Dr Mark Samuels, editor at advisory organisation CIO Connect, examines the future role of the IT leader in his monthly column.

Mark Samuels
Freelance journalist

Mark Samuels is a freelance writer specializing in business and technology. For the past two decades, he has produced extensive work on subjects such as the adoption of technology by C-suite executives.

At ITPro, Mark has provided long-form content on C-suite strategy, particularly relating to chief information officers (CIOs), as well as digital transformation case studies, and explainers on cloud computing architecture.

Mark has written for publications including Computing, The Guardian, ZDNet, TechRepublic, Times Higher Education, and CIONET. 

Before his career in journalism, Mark achieved a BA in geography and MSc in World Space Economy at the University of Birmingham, as well as a PhD in economic geography at the University of Sheffield.