European governments, businesses, and societies need to prepare for a fundamental transformation of their skills base to survive and thrive. To drive sustainable growth and innovation and to prepare for the future of work, European businesses depend on a blend of digital and technology-related skills as well as critical thinking, problem solving, resilience, active learning, interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills.

Post-pandemic, the direction of digital transformation projects — and, as a result, the underlying sourcing, recruiting, and talent management strategies — all need to change. The pandemic experience is calling into question some fundamental business assumptions:

  • Many consumers are willing to use and pay for digital products and services — “digital” is no longer the small cousin of the physical product.
  • Automation can support great customer and employee experiences — it does not always have to be a “human touch” that creates the best experience.
  • IT can keep pace with digital transformation initiatives — culture and operations are greater drags to transformation than technology.
  • It’s risky to be a fast follower — instead, companies need to explore new possibilities and experiment continuously.
  • Regulation is not always an inhibitor to digital transformation — in many cases, it can help create trusted and healthy business environments.

Given the shifting macro picture, organizations need to tackle digital transformation from at least four transformational angles:

  • Customer experience — balance human touch with data analytics.
  • Employee experience — balance craftmanship and experience with automation.
  • Operations and culture — balance scalability and physical excellence with simulation and mass customization.
  • Business model — balance traditional sales with outcome-based revenue models.

Dispersed skill clusters across Europe’s cities and regions require tech and business leaders to establish where to source the right skills needed for the future of work. The report Navigating The Leading Skill Clusters Across Europe outlines where business leaders can find the leading talent hot spots in Europe and helps them to tap into these skill clusters as part of their talent management strategies.

Career pivots, in which European workers transition to new occupations, will play an important role and require reskilling. Hence, a new mindset is a prerequisite for sustainable skill transformation to take hold. The task of reskilling, training, and learning affects businesses, government, institutions, and employees.

Securing the appropriate skill base involves employers, educational institutions, research organizations, chambers of commerce, employment agencies, and local, regional, and national governments, as well as stakeholders from social partners and civil society. The report also provides a 10-point checklist that European leaders can use to go about sourcing, recruiting, and managing the right talent mix.

To dive deeper into this topic, register for our complimentary webinar: Where And How To Find The Right Tech Talent.