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Importance of digital skills for business
The progress of technology and the development of new solutions has meant that the workplace has changed forever. While in the past having good computer abilities was reserved for a special team of a few people in every company and institution, whose duty was to oversee all the possible issues that could occur with the computers, things have taken a sharp turn over the last few years. Now, virtually all companies and organisations are looking for prospective employees that possess at least basic digital literacy and can navigate tech solutions, such as PCs, e-readers, tablets and smartphones comfortably.
However, it isn’t as easy as it seems at first glance. While technology is commonplace nowadays, not everybody feels at home using it, and within a business context, employees might also be afraid of committing serious mistakes that can get them in trouble. However, with the rise of technology across different areas and industries, the necessity for this set of skills within the business environment cannot be denied.
The advantages
Suppose it seems too much of a hassle to enable the access your employees have to solutions that can help them improve their skills. In that case, you may not be fully aware of all the advantages digital aptitudes can have for your business. Being able to use these tools efficiently makes the working environment more efficient. Since virtually all solutions are right at your fingertips when it comes to the online space, knowing how to use these solutions means that your employees can work faster and reach milestones rapidly. Given that most systems have shifted to the online sphere nowadays, workers who aren’t familiar with these solutions can struggle with the performance of core tasks, making their employee experience cumbersome and unsatisfactory.
When your employees feel comfortable working with technology, they are naturally more receptive to developments and require less training in order to acquire new skills. Since technology changes so quickly and everything is getting constant upgrades, having a strong general idea of how the networks operate gives employees a distinctive advantage in the face of change. The business world is particularly fast-paced, and keeping up with the competition and facing all the challenges head-on means building a strong foundation and creating a business that will endure.
The right courses
However, you might become stuck when you’re looking to find the right courses for your employees. There are countless options out there, and choosing the right one can seem like an impossible task. After all, what are the things that you should look out for when choosing one? ITIL courses are among the best options for individuals looking to improve their IT skills. Following their completion, you obtain an official certification demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of technological tools.
There are several courses within the same framework. Including detailed training on the lifecycle model, the courses include design, delivery, development as well as support for all types of information technology services. Completing the course means you’ll be able to get through with complex tasks and learn how to structure your capabilities based on business support requirements.
The course also helps employees keep their skills relevant in the ever-changing tech landscape of the 21st century. While it is a starting point for any individual looking to get good training, it is also the framework for continuous development, as employees can move on to specialised courses in ITIL. In this sense, the course is a path to continuous upskilling and self-improvement.
Skill intersectionality
Digital skills are only as good as the individual using them, and they cannot be the only expertise your staff members have, which is why it’s important to nurture a wide set of adeptness in the workplace. Discuss with employees the importance of using different aptitudes to carry out tasks. Entry-level digital skills are relatively basic tasks, although there’s the understanding that they will develop over time and the employee will become more adept at using the solutions. They include:
- Email communication
- Handling sensitive information well
- Using cloud-powered solutions
- Knowing how to manage devices accurately
- Managing spreadsheets and documents and knowing how to create them
There’s no denying the importance of these skills. However, a successful working environment doesn’t rely solely on digital skills and solutions. In fact, cognitive, interpersonal or self-leadership skills can boost digital prowess. Critical thinking is very important, as it allows for the logical structure of an issue that needs to be resolved. Although digital solutions have made work more efficient, a significant degree of planning still comes with completing a task.
It also helps sift through data to reach only the pertinent information necessary to complete a task. Moreover, since there are many possible hazards in the online sphere, including hacker attacks and data breaches, reasoning and agile thinking are crucial in avoiding such a situation. If it happens, employees require adaptability and the internal means necessary to work fast under pressure.
Risk-taking, being comfortable with change or at least being able to manage it well when it appears, decisiveness, energy and being achievement-oriented are also very important for digital skills. They enable employees to develop their skill sets and seek ways to grow their expertise. So, for example, if one of your employees needs to improve their data analysis and programming skills, having self-confidence and being able to cope with uncertainty and not get frustrated with the blunders coming along will enable them to have a much better outcome.
And, of course, interpersonal skills remain one of the most important skills within a business. If your employees can help each other out and coach one another on things that may have remained unclear following their training, you can be certain that you’re working with a strong team. Working together despite differences in personality and having the necessary awareness to empower everybody remain important skills even in the tech-powered digital age.
To sum up, having people with good digital skills in your company helps foster development and growth, helping you achieve your business goals faster and more efficiently.
