The competitiveness and success of firms in today’s complex and turbulent economy are unquestionably related to the ability of a business to innovate products, services and strategies at all levels of the organization. To that end, companies increasingly invest in new technologies, hoping to create competitive advantages.
A key player in this new business strategy is Information Technology. It is therefore not surprising to see an exponential advancement in this field. It becomes crucial for IT Professionals to keep up with the emerging technologies and to proactively keep their technical skills up to date.
Because of the rapidly changing nature of technology and business strategy we believe a “Top 10 of the latest IT trends” will not help you any further. We prefer to give you tips that will help you identify new and upcoming trends and will help you use this information to design your own career path.
- The number one rule is to be creative in identifying sources of information. Keep your radar on at all times.
- Subscribe to professional IT magazines. You will find valuable information regarding new technologies, the latest innovations and research. You will also find information about companies that are real trendsetters and that you might want to follow up.
- Use social networking sites such as LinkedIn. You will find groups and blogs that discuss the latest innovations in your field of expertise. Groups that are not related to your field can give you ideas on career changes and tips on how to move towards that new technology you are interested in. Use your connections to stay in the game and be actively part of the discussions.
- Even if you are not actively looking for a new job, keep an eye on the job market and on the “Hot” Skills. Do not only visit common job boards such as Monster and Dice. Visit our website, www.VantageLinks.com you will find a lot of information regarding emerging technologies in our local job market.
- Being a member of a professional association will always give you one step ahead.
- Don’t forget to Google and surf online to find new information sources.
- Develop a method for regularly reviewing those resources. For example take one hour every Friday that will be your “trend tracking” time.
- Not all the information you will find will be equally relevant. Depending on your career goals and your field of expertise, some information will be more valuable and interesting to research further.
- Make a list of the ideas you come across or save the information you find. You might want to get back to it later.
- Discuss this information with colleagues and other IT professionals. Exchanging ideas is inspiring and contagious.
- It all begins with being aware of the new technologies and innovations. But even more important is to use that information to stay on top of your game and to improve your career chances.
- Look out for companies that are trendsetters. Working for a company that is always on the front line of innovation will automatically keep your skills set top notch.
- Don’t be afraid to share the information you have with your employer. Be a motor for innovation in your company or team.
- Continuous training is the key, through your employer or by yourself. Look out for training opportunities in the technologies you are interested in. This will prove to a company that you are working hard to keep yourself on top of your game. You show yourself flexible, resourceful and eager to learn. This makes you a valuable person that will bring an added value to the company and the business strategy.
- Certifications are another very important credential that you can use to convince a company you are on track of the newest technologies. This is of course an investment but we experience an increasing importance of those credentials on the job market.
- Do not expect an employer to give you a chance to work on the latest technology if you do not show any sign of initiative towards that new technology. That would be a big risk for the company and other IT professionals will have worked their credentials towards that technology.
Information Technology is moving away from it’s administrative and supportive role and becomes an essential part of Business Strategy for company. This makes Information Technology one of the most challenging but also most competitive fields. With this article we hope to have brought you ideas on how to keep track of technological innovation and how to use that information to influence your career path.