Solution 1: Develop Technical and Human Skills for 2023
Implement strategic skills development programmes immediately applicable to the workplace, developing technical and human skills necessary for effective data-driven decision-making. This will enhance data analysis, management, ethics, AI literacy, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
of businesses say that having a basic level of digital skills is important for their employees
Skills Gap Statistics UK 2023, Oxford Learning College
Solution 2: Activate Ostrich Employees to Drive a Data Culture
A clear strategy for navigating the intricacies of data culture transformation lies in proactive leadership. Employee self-perception poses a challenge to this transformation; just like the 'ostrich employee' with their head in the sand, many do not recognise their contribution to the skills gap and, as a result, may not volunteer for data skills development.
Leaders must step in and remedy this. It is their role to identify the potential within their teams, guiding the 'ostrich employees' to realise their role within the data culture.
Solution 3: Create Data-Led Middle Managers
Invest in developing middle managers' technical abilities and foundational skills to empower their ability to translate data insights into actionable change effectively. Provide skills development opportunities to enhance their data literacy, leadership, and change management skills.
Solution 4: Prioritise Data Strategy and Governance
Foster a culture of experimentation, continuous improvement, and psychological safety where employees feel empowered to take risks and make data-driven decisions in their day-to-day work.
To bridge the data skills gap, senior decision-makers top suggestion is to focus on training programmes that cover the evolving technological landscape (31%)
Solution 4: Prioritise Data Strategy and Governance
Forging a well-defined data strategy aligning with organisational goals is crucial to facilitating digital transformation. It's not just about data specialists; every employee has a part to play in this transformation. While 30% of an organisation's employees are already using data in their day-to-day functions, it's clear that there's significant untapped potential.
This strategy must be underpinned by solid data governance policies, ensuring data quality, security, and ethical use. It's crucial to mitigating cybersecurity, privacy, and compliance risks.
