TRENDING it has pushed business stakeholders to fast-track services and solutions already held by IT , such as enabling a distributed workforce , to a far wider audience . Organizations in Hong Kong are also extremely focused on cybersecurity which is ranked as their highest priority technology initiative in the next 12 – 18 months .
Organizations who showcase the characteristics of being bold and brave are 50 % more likely to optimize their Digital
Transformation efforts .
However , despite greater strategy alignment , some disconnect in priorities exists between the business and IT . Globally , 69.9 % of operations teams believe the need for a technology strategy that drives business efficiency opportunities is crucial , yet only 48 % of IT teams agree . Further , 69.6 % of operations teams globally consider speed and agility a key component of technology strategy , in contrast to only 53.4 % of IT teams .
Damian Skendrovic , Executive Vice President , NTT , said : “ The unprecedented challenges that COVID-19 has impressed upon businesses has forced the issue of business and IT alignment into the limelight . And there is still work to do to ensure core organizational priorities are understood by all .
“ IT is under an immense amount of pressure to deliver against present requirements , while concurrently planning for future delivery and innovation . With technology and agility front and center of the business conversation , alignment of priorities is no longer optional , it is critical for the sustainability and resilience of the business .”
As global organizations seek to strengthen resilience , the research highlights significant differences in approach . While some consider cost optimization as a way of creating greater resilience , others are focused on being bold and brave . They view the pandemic as a chance to take advantage of market opportunities and to scale , with 44 % organizations in Hong Kong pivoting technology focus to achieve this .
Interestingly , this figure rises to 41.7 % globally if an organization currently has at least three-quarters of their IT managed by third parties . On the other hand , if an organization has little to none of their IT managed by a third party , the percentage drops significantly to just 25.7 % prepared to pivot focus .
“ While not all organizations view disruption as an opportunity , one third have adjusted course because they see a chance to do things better and take advantage ; particularly in relation to enabling a more distributed workforce and innovative technologies ,” said Skendrovic . “ Bold and brave businesses are approaching resilience in a new and innovative light , and trusted technology partners are helping them achieve this .”
The research also highlights how embracing emerging technologies and the ability to automate and deploy innovation at speed as key strategies underpinning the future of business success . And while , in Hong Kong , 86 % of business and IT leaders agree emerging technology is crucial for their technology strategy , only
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