Digital & Technology

“The Internet is a gimmick for computer freaks, we don’t see any future in it.”

In 1990, Ron Sommer, then CEO of Deutsche Telekom, said this. Looking back, it is fair to say that this was a huge miscalculation. Today, we know that hardly anything works without digitalization, IT, modern technology and networked value chains – and we are probably only just at the beginning of this development.

The digital transformation is already in full swing and companies that do not act in time run the risk of being left behind and losing their competitiveness. As a result, the challenges for companies in the IT sector are also increasing. More and more companies need the support of IT experts. Good news for candidates who are looking for new challenges. Bad news for companies looking to fill open positions.

For all industries, but especially for the IT sector, digitalization means finding the right managers as quickly as possible in order to keep pace with the disruptive changes that lie ahead.

Digitalization is exposing the shortcomings of training and further education in Germany in recent years. Candidates with the skills in demand can therefore now choose which company they want to work for – and these are not always the companies that pay the best or those with the most prestige.

The so-called purpose, the company philosophy or – in the best case – the higher purpose that the company pursues plays a major role, especially for people from the digital environment. And so established companies compete in the war of talent with hip start-ups that know how to attract young digital natives or digitally-savvy older talent. Although they can often pay less, they attract them with other benefits.

An IT growth company on the way to an IPO can also be an interesting environment for some managers. After all, it is rarely possible to actively shape a company’s IPO. In this situation, established medium-sized companies run the risk of losing the war of talent and no longer being able to keep pace economically.

A study by the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce recently revealed that companies are unable to fill 50 percent of vacancies due to a lack of suitable candidates. The lack of qualified candidates is one of the biggest threats to companies. After all, less talent means less innovation, less competitiveness and ultimately less growth.

But despite all the virtual and digital requirements and opportunities, the human factor must not be overlooked. Not every Chief Sales Officer fits into every company. Cultural fit plays almost as big a role in the entire recruiting process as the candidate’s professional suitability – after all, the new employee should stay with the company for as long as possible.

When recruiting and selecting personnel, we also keep this in mind and look not only at the qualifications, but also at the mindset of the candidate and the company. In this way, we lay the foundation for a long-term, respectful, stable and professional collaboration for the greatest possible benefit for both sides.

Are you looking for the right candidates for your company? Then let us do the talking!