FEATURE : DIGITISATION
Digitisation is occurring at an unprecedented rate but more surprising is how non-tech companies are adapting to a more tech-focused mindset . Research from Pendo has revealed that nontech companies from industries as diverse as agriculture , insurance and manufacturing are taking a more
‘ tech-like ’ approach to hiring , tools and business strategy .
The pandemic years forced traditional industries to digitise their operations at speed , but three years on , non-tech enterprises across the UK – from sectors including finance , advertising , manufacturing and more – are actively embracing the ‘ tech mindset ’ more than ever , according to new research . The study from Pendo , the all-in-one product experience platform , has found nearly half ( 49 %) of ‘ traditional ’ enterprises now consider themselves technology companies and are adopting more ‘ tech-like ’ strategies , roles and tools to drive innovation and growth .
The mindset shift central to both a tech company ’ s culture and acting as the main driver of its growth and change .
Surveying R & D leaders and senior leadership at large companies with 500 + employees outside of the IT , software and hardware industries , Pendo found clear evidence of an overall shift towards the tech mindset : 65 % cited agility , innovation and growth as their key focus today , with 34 % already operating this way and nearly a third in the process of pivoting . Despite over half ( 56 %) of those who consider themselves a technology company not even having a digital product or app live yet , the mindset focus and desire for the tech label demonstrates these companies ’ strategic trajectory and the first step of widespread cultural change .
Tech talent has been snapped up – and ‘ non-tech ’ is still hiring
As tech companies have made significant layoffs in recent months in response to the economic downturn , R & D talent is still in high demand among traditional enterprises . Product management teams – historically a staple function of tech organisations – have grown in headcount by about 9 % since 2021 within traditional enterprises and are projected to continue growing at the same rate despite the downturn . For the majority of these companies ( 59 %), the new hires have come primarily from tech companies , with these hires the biggest drivers of cultural change and mindset shift .
Technology companies are known for prioritising agility , innovation and growth-oriented business strategies . Sophisticated R & D and digital product teams are also a key hallmark of these organisations ,
In the last two years , there ’ s been a strong focus on hiring data analytics roles , but companies are nowhere near filling their analytics teams fully – almost half ( 44 %) of product teams in traditional enterprises say
Half of ‘ non-tech ’ UK enterprises consider themselves tech companies since pandemic
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