The IT industry has a vital role to play in bringing Britain out
of recession and driving the economy over the next ten years,
according to panelists at a BCS debate today.
But the inability of some senior executives to 'get' technology
is holding some companies back and creating a disconnect between
more traditional corporate IT departments and new, innovative
technology start-up companies.
David Smith, a
futurologist, said technologists need to be better at educating
business directors and boards about new and emerging
technology.
"The problem is that a lot of the business population is over
50, and not everyone gets it, "he said. "We need to help the people
who drive the companies, own the budgets and who could invest in IT
to make it exciting."
Its a worrying fact that email is the extent of many people's
engagement with technology, said Smith, chief executive of
Global Futures and
Foresight.
Rebecca
George, a partner at Deloitte and chair of the BCS Womens
Forum, agreed, saying, "The people running our businesses
understand it's important to know HR and finance, but haven't
caught up with the implications of technology yet."
"We already know this is an issue. My concern is how we address
it," she said.
The result is a level of disconnect between the corporate IT
industry and a new generation of technology entrepreneurs coming up
with new ways to make money from IT.
Fin Goulding, CIO at
lastminute.com, said he
wants to try and bridge the divide.
"I'm trying to bridge the gap between the establishment IT
industry and the innovation that's occurring," he said. "We embrace
innovation and working practices that appeal to a younger, up and
coming workforce. I'm trying to find a way of connecting the two
together."
Mike
Butcher, editor of
Techcrunch Europe which
covers technology start up companies, said, "The BCS needs to get
off its behind and talk about entrepreneurialism, because there's a
massive disconnect between the corporate structure of the IT
industry and the innovation that's happening."
CIOs optimistic recession will end in 2010