Half of all small and medium-sized businesses are lacking the IT skills needed for them to compete effectively, according to a new report.
A deficiency in proper IT and communications knowledge is resulting in many smaller firms being unable to meet customer demands, according to a report written by the Centre for Future Studies.
Nearly 80% of owner-managers think their businesses have adequate IT skills, however many are ‘over-reliant on family and friends for IT advice’, according to the study.
The study concludes that a key problem is that many owner-managers are specialists in their industries, but are lacking in the IT skills to manage new technology and assess the IT competency of their staff.
The report said there was no trusted single source for small and medium-sized businesses to go to for professional advice, and technology skills were critical to a company’s growth and success.
“Consumer expectations are increasing as they experience a better level of service,” said Dr Frank Shaw, foresight director at the Centre for Future Studies.
“All of this is driving IT investment and SMEs need to deliver on service whilst also accommodating changing work patterns which meet their employees’ expectations.
“Innovation is the key if SMEs want to compete in today’s domestic and world markets,” Shaw added.
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