PRESS RELEASE
Release date: 26th January 2016
Digital transformation must stretch beyond technology
urges expert
Retailers considering embarking on their digitisation journey are being urged to consider the ways in which they attract and retain talent if they are to be successful
That’s the message from specialist IT solutions provider Crimson, following the publication of the latest CIO tech priorities insight report from Gartner, which found that while many CIOs recognise the role of a comprehensive digital strategy within their business, the single biggest factor preventing businesses achieving their digital objectives is the ongoing skills shortage.
The emergence of digitisation has fast gained traction within a number of industries, including retail, with CIOs predicting digital revenues to grow from 16% to 37% this year alone. With such an opportunity now presenting itself to retailers, Crimson is calling on business leaders to embrace a digital transformation strategy that goes beyond technology, encompassing an effective talent strategy to ensure they aren’t caught out.
Rob Mallaband, Managing Director at Crimson commented on the importance of adopting a talent strategy in order to leverage digital opportunities. He said: “While many retailers are now beginning to embark on their digitisation journey, what we are finding is that time and time again talent, or lack of it, is the single biggest barrier stopping these objectives being achieved.
While digitisation relies on the likes of Big Data, mobile, and the cloud retailers need to recognise that technology is only the beginning of their digitisation journey. In order to fully take advantage of the opportunities presented by digitisation, retailers also need to invest in the talent to support these functions. With so many retailers now embarking on their digital strategy the IT landscape from a recruiter point of view is a fierce one, and businesses need to adopt a robust talent strategy if they want to have any chance of competing.”
The call from Crimson comes as one of its customers, rapid fashion retailer, Missguided has implemented it digital strategy to great success. Founded at the height of recession in 2008, Missguided has now become a £100M global retail business. Working alongside Crimson, Missguided has adopted a clear digital strategy, which the company uses to effectively attract digitally-savvy millennial customers.
As part of its commitment to help retailers considering embarking of their digital transformation, Crimson will be hosting its annual Innovation Conference, where the company will be inviting retailers to learn more about the digital transformation journeys of Missguided, BAE Systems, Severn Trent, amongst other well-known brands.
This is the
second annual event from Crimson, following the success of last year’s
Innovation Conference which featured speakers from Virgin Galactic, Microsoft
and MetroBank. This year’s Crimson Innovation Conference takes place on 15th
March 2016, at The Vox Centre, Birmingham
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About Crimson
For more information on the
Crimson Innovation Conference 2016, or to register, click here:http://bit.ly/1Kp2LQl
Crimson has been uniting people, processes and IT systems for over ten years, as a fast moving retail technology and recruitment company specialising in the full range of IT support, consultancy and search and selection services. Crimson has launched a number of international retail operations over the last few years, helping to streamline productivity, enhance the customer experience and increase sales. The business works with such established retail brands as Morrisons, Ideal Shopping Direct, Dunelm Mill, House of Fraser, and New Look.
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