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IT staff lack business acumen

Parity study reveals IT staff lacking crucial business skills to help them succeed in modern IT roles

July 21, 2009

Over half of IT staff think business knowledge and communication skills are missing from IT departments, research from Parity has found.[1]

Conversely, 58 per cent of managers are frustrated by the lack of understanding of wider business issues amongst IT staff with 70 per cent in agreement that communication skills and business knowledge are the most critical areas for development within the IT team.

Parity is warning companies to heed these results and take action before IT departments become isolated and hunger for development among staff members is lost. “Managers should consider how they can develop the skills within their IT team so that the business can benefit,” said Alan Rommel, managing director at Parity Resources . “Even without a training budget, there are activities and sessions that can be run within the organisation to equip IT staff with the skills they need.”

In addition, the study found that over 85 per cent of IT staff believe ‘people skills’ should be evaluated when selecting new IT recruits. The survey also highlighted a lack of psychometric testing at the recruitment stage (among two thirds of respondents), which could help evaluate a candidate’s skills set before they are hired.

“As we look to recover from the economic downturn, it is vital that organisations make the most of the resources available to them,” said Alan Rommel, managing director at Parity Resources.

“It is clear from our research that both staff and managers want to develop their skills set and business knowledge so they are better equipped in their job. Both sides are singing from the same hymn sheet – which is a good start but why aren’t the two listening to each other? We are witnessing more recruiters wanting to hire all-rounders who can contribute to the business beyond the traditional IT remit,” added Rommel.

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About the company

Parity is a business and IT solutions company with over 40 years' industry experience. Parity delivers a range of recruitment and business and IT solutions to clients across the public and private sector.

Parity works with its customers to bring out the best in their businesses, drawing on vast personal experience to help organisations meet the challenges they face. Strong relationships with customers make Parity a trusted partner for hundreds of clients across the UK and Ireland, including; BT, Ofgem, The Cabinet Office, Ministry of Defence, BAT, Northamptonshire County Council and The Charity Commission.

Through specialised IT recruitment for contract, interim and permanent resources, especially in the public sector, Parity provides decision makers with the best candidates to drive strategies forward and focus on results.

Through innovative collaboration and information management solutions, drawing on consultancy, development, implementation and fully managed services, Parity helps organisations to excel and achieve outstanding success.

Listed on the London Stock Exchange, Parity recorded a turnover of over £148m in 2008. For more information, please visit: http://www.parity.net/

[1] The IT and business solutions provider questioned staff and managers in a variety of IT based roles

Contact details

For further information, please contact:
the account manager at LEWIS

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7802 2626 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7802 2627
Email: parity@lewispr.com

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