Business leaders need a broad knowledge of information and communication technology (ICT) to navigate their businesses through digital transformation and assess which tools, solutions and services best support their operations and strategic needs, says Internet service provider RocketNet CEO Simon Swanepoel.

Employees will also need to have greater knowledge of and proficiency in using technology, although mainly focused around their work and duties.

Better general knowledge of technology and best practices among all employees and leaders will also support greater demand for ICT services and support that adhere to professional standards and ensure that ICT systems are effective, efficient and secure.

“Technology drives every business. Many business leaders do not yet recognise it as a core part of their businesses, and do not understand the value that strategic spend on ICT can provide,” he says.

A lack of understanding of technology creates a blind spot in businesses, as business leader do not always recognise the importance of security and networking in their operations and do not insist on best practices to ensure that systems and networks are secure by design.

Information is the most critical part of the existence of a business. Businesses must consider how they are backing up and replicating data to determine whether they can recover from a significant loss of data.

Understanding how they use data also helps businesses to manage the costs of their data management and recovery, as well as to assess what tools and solutions will benefit them.

The lockdowns and restrictions imposed on businesses’ normal operating conditions during the current Covid-19 pandemic have shocked many businesses into investing in technology, says Swanepoel.

Business leaders must understand how technologies affect their companies at a granular level of detail to determine what initiatives to undertake and adopt the most appropriate technology.

With technologies also underpinning most business functions, this knowledge is also required to enable leaders to manage the various facets of the business.

“We must invest in our understanding and knowledge of digital technologies that provide solutions for the future if we are to disrupt our industries. We must know what the right questions are to ask of our ICT teams and service and solution providers.”

Having a thorough understanding of the ICT systems used in businesses also enables leaders to ensure that they are providing the best services and experiences for clients.

“Investing in technological expertise and skills is not a luxury for CEOs anymore, but the doorway to future growth,” concludes Swanepoel.