The path to digital transformation was already planned for many companies before the pandemic hit, but an unexpected acceleration left many IT teams scrambling to implement new technology. From securing network access to providing new ways to collaborate for teams, companies were forced to ramp up efforts to be fully digital.

While the need for digital transformation has increased, roadblocks remain that make it difficult for business leaders to pursue it. A recent C-suite trends report by alliantgroup found that almost half of all executives understand the role that digital transformation plays in long-term survival, but about one in three said that the pandemic had slowed down their ability to pursue it.

While there are many factors at play, there are two in particular that are slowing digital efforts:

Talent Shortages: One of the most common problems for companies is a lack of talent that can steer a digital transformation. A third of executives responding to alliantgroup said that failing to hire the right talent was one of their key mistakes. Complicating this is the fact that there’s an overall shortage of talent across all markets, and IT candidates can be choosy as companies need their talents to move forward.

There are not enough workers with the right skills to usher companies into digital transformation, so executives are responding by investing in education programs to fill their talent pipelines. But this is a long-term investment in a situation that needs immediate attention.

Another option is to think more broadly about the talent pool. While hiring managers have been accustomed to recruiting in their geographical region, remote work is making it easy for employees in far-flung cities to work anywhere. If you’re not finding the right talent in your location, think about looking more broadly.

IT leaders should also think about strategies to keep their current employees highly trained and satisfactorily challenged in their careers, in addition to competitive pay and benefits.

Red Tape: The talent shortage isn’t all that surprising, but the amount of pushback that IT teams face in implementing digital transformation measures also makes it challenging to execute plans. Even if projects are proposed and approved, they hit a dead end when internal bureaucracy makes the plan too cumbersome. Executives say that an internal change is needed, with 41% reporting that employee resistance is one of their key obstacles.

The Solution? Managed IT Services. Companies are becoming more comfortable with the idea that IT management doesn’t all need to be under their own roof. From software as a service (SaaS) and other as-a-service options, companies have found that they can enjoy cost savings, reduce the burden on their in-house IT teams, and get better technical support when they rely on expertise outside of their four walls.

Managed IT services make it easier for companies to pursue digital transformation strategies. Using a third-party consultant allows you to access exactly the expertise you need, whether you’re implementing software-defined wide area networking to better manage your bandwidth demands for cloud-based communications, or if you need to have someone in place with expertise in automation as you seek to simplify some processes. Whether to pursue digital transformation is no longer considered optional, but you do have options in how you move through your strategy. Contact us at eXemplify to get the guidance you need to move forward with a seamless transition.