Notwithstanding the economic downturn, the digital business and software industry remains as fast-paced and innovative as ever.
The unstoppable trend towards the digitalization of almost anything continues to power the industry’s growth. Innovation, from infrastructure to applications, services and interfaces, continues to provide opportunities for new entrants with disruptive technologies to challenge established players. Convergence, the ultimate manifestation of everything becoming digital, continues to put tremendous pressure on many traditional business models.
Somewhat paradoxically, big pockets within the digital and software industry show signs of maturing. The brutal consolidation of the past few years has left fewer but bigger and even more complex organizations, whether in enterprise software, e-commerce, internet and mobility platforms, or gaming. The emerging “everything as a service” and “cloud computing” models put pressure on companies to think like most businesses – not only in terms of products but also in terms of execution, services and building long-term, trusted b2c and b2b client relationships.
What skills are needed?
Strong general management skills will be needed to grow at both ends of the company maturity spectrum. The mega-players will need to stabilize, reap the benefits of their acquisitions, and optimize their talent development and management approaches. The small enterprises will need to staff their management teams with experienced managers, who have successfully managed downturns and demonstrated they can grow sustainable revenue streams innovatively.
As a relatively asset-light industry, the digital business and software industry is well placed to go where the talent pools are. This will result in a further globalization of organizations. The recruitment and integration of truly international general managers or senior functional staff, such as R&D experts, is swiftly becoming a priority.
As digitalization and convergence expand into other areas, such as embedded, consumer mobility, industry automation, defence and security, government, SMBs, digital commerce and social platforms, hiring talent that bridges the relevant industry backgrounds is ever more critical. The overarching generational shift towards “digital natives” among staff and clients needs to be mirrored at the senior levels of the companies, to avoid the risk of becoming alienated from the real world.
How can Egon Zehnder International support the digital business and software industry?
Through our seamless and truly international network, reaching from the US to Asia and across Europe, we proactively identify executive and strategic talent in the global market with competencies in general management and critical functions such as R&D, services management, solutions sales, content production, CRM and digital marketing. In this fast-changing and complex industry, our long-tenured and stable team of highly skilled consultants provide the best expertise to serve demanding clients.
How we operate
Through our
Leadership Strategy Services, we assist key players in the industry to progress in maturing their approach to talent acquisition, succession, retention and development, in the context of mergers and acquisitions of large companies, change of shareholders, change of business paradigm, and in the development of start-ups.
With our
Board Consulting experience, we assist the industry in developing better governance, and accelerate company successes through the ever-growing contributions made by knowledgeable, independent non-executive directors.
