LAW
NO FEAR !
Investing in digital needn ’ t be something to be scared of , says technology lawyer Caroline Churchill of Womble Bond Dickinson
WORDS : SARAH WALKER
Retaining tech talent and overcoming fear around investing in new technology is key to making businesses across Teesside more efficient and better employers – as well as improving their green credentials .
The latest episode of Future Tees , sponsored by Womble Bond Dickinson , shone the spotlight on issues around businesses investing in technology , including the legal and contractual support available and their obligations around regulatory issues such as data protection / GDPR .
Caroline Churchill , an experienced digital lawyer at Womble Bond Dickinson , explained the question of how to retain tech talent was a very topical one , not just on Teesside but nationally – and across all sectors . She believes that in addition to good pay , personnel want technology that works as it should , a good working environment and a positive culture .
She adds that businesses should make sure they invest in the “ individual career paths ” of their personnel by ensuring there is development for them , with regular performance reviews and opportunities for promotion . She believes this will help “ make them feel that they are embedded within the business ” – and less likely to leave for the “ heady heights of London ”.
In addition , Caroline believes it ’ s also important to protect employees in tech from stress and burnout . She says : “ Individuals working in technology can be working extremely long hours on highprofile projects and if things go wrong , it can be extremely stressful for them .”
Alistair McLeod , founder and CEO of Gray Fox Consulting , offered a graduate programme to try to keep people who had completed their university studies in the region – and he strongly believes in
“ growing your own tech talent ”.
He adds that retention can be achieved through good leadership , which is “ not just about putting values like trusting and empowering people up on a wall ”, but actually living those values and giving people the tools to do the job , the right environment and flexibility . He adds that “ succession planning is absolutely critical ” to identify potential future leaders who can move into those roles very quickly as a business scales up .
Alistair McLeod , founder and CEO of Gray Fox Consulting .
Ryan Siddall , innovation manager for the North East Process Industry Cluster ( NEPIC ), says the manufacturing sector needs to invest in tech-savvy staff more than it does in facilities , as it is “ falling over itself to digitise and streamline processes ”.
“ It ’ s not just about getting equipment and expertise in ,” he says . “ It ’ s about being able to trust the staff and empower them to embrace it .”
Ryan talks about how introducing new technology into manufacturing processes – particularly when things have been
Caroline Churchill , of Womble Bond Dickinson .
done a certain way for so many years – can feel daunting to businesses , and many fear the changes and new ways of working new technology affords .
However , tech lawyers , like Caroline , help to ensure that when it comes to investing in new technological processes , there is “ clarity around the scope of the project ” and how that is defined in terms of customer requirements or functional specifications .
Ensuring that the customer ’ s objectives are clear and that there is strong project management and contract management will help to mitigate any potential issues that may cause tension on both the supplier ’ s and the client ’ s side .
“ Knowing that you ’ ve got support around the legal side is key to help break those barriers around implementing technology projects down ,” she says .
“ Making sure that your technology provider supports you through all those stages of the project , from discovery , proof of concept phase and all the way through is important .
“ Making sure the objectives are properly understood between the parties and also properly documented as well is key .
“ Having an experienced team around you will mean that investing in technology needn ’ t be something to be scared of .”
Ryan Siddall - innovation manager for NEPIC .
Go to the video section of the Tees Business Facebook to see the feature in full .
106 | Tees Business