6 ways to increase the speed of recovery and to strengthen business resilience with technology

The World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos is always a boon for journalists and commentators. Each year, a panel of world political leaders and international business leaders descend on the small Alpine resort to provide the basis for hundreds of new stories and reports. This year, however, the focus was as much on business recovery and resilience as on risk management.

So it's no surprise that the WEF's 2018 prediction that automation and AI could displace 75 million jobs by 2022 has generated a lot of ink and the usual debate and discussion on the web. However, there is no trace in this media coverage of the positive side of the prediction, namely that this same technology could create 133 million new jobs...

While everyone agrees that the future belongs to digital technologies, one thing is now undeniable: the future is coming faster than the FEM predicted. In Davos, no one could have predicted the unprecedented crisis the world would face in 2020, nor the acceleration of digital transformation thereafter.

Digital transformation is everywhere. Telecommuting has become commonplace in the service sector. Primary and secondary sector players are focusing on digital evolution. Teachers are teaching remotely, while students are learning at home. Home delivery is more successful than ever, despite the relaxation of measures applied to the restaurant industry.

IT capabilities are vital to the restart and resilience of business.

If the 133 million jobs predicted by the WEF are ever to become a reality, we must address a pressing issue: the skills gap. Technology can help fill this gap by providing workers with the tools they need to be productive and efficient.

Global Knowledge's survey found that more than two-thirds of IT decision makers report a gap between their team's skill level and the knowledge required to achieve their business goals. While blockchain, artificial intelligence and cognitive computing top the list of most sought-after skills, the gap extends to all IT knowledge. Indeed, 38% of respondents said they struggle to find qualified workers, and 29% of respondents say cloud computing is a recruiting challenge. For about 25% of respondents, virtualization, networking and the Internet of Things are among the priorities for the future.

Now that the COVID-19 crisis is beginning to fade, companies need to focus on strategies that will improve their technology and skills. This will be critical to thriving in the post-crisis economy.

There are many ways to strengthen your post-Covid business through technology. Here are six of them :

1) Maintain the custom of remote work:

While many states have made progress in their efforts to get back to normal, that doesn't mean they are immune to new local outbreaks or even a second wave of the epidemic. It is possible that some jurisdictions may be forced to impose further containment. As such, it is important for organizations to invest in the best tools to support teamwork and interaction anywhere and on any device: laptops, desktop PCs, tablets, smartphones, etc.

Microsoft Teams is one of the most popular platforms in the world. It provides businesses with a comprehensive and scalable environment that facilitates telecommuting and supports the wide range of features offered by Office 365. Microsoft Teams is a great platform for businesses looking to improve communication and collaboration. You can access a variety of free training through the Microsoft Level Up program.

2) Protect your computer networks with the latest software and security measures:

Telecommuting will continue even after the virus is eradicated, so it's imperative that businesses strengthen their data protection measures. Microsoft offers a series of quick fixes and helpful tips, as well as information on multi-factor authentication, Microsoft Secure Score, the Zero Trust security model and more.

3) Increase the speed of the reinvention method:

With the ability to quickly create new solutions, companies can adapt to market fluctuations and ensure business continuity. This allows them to stay ahead of the competition. That's what a Swiss digital experience agency has done by developing a chatbot that provides reliable and validated information via a conversational interface on COVID-19.

Microsoft Azure is a leading cloud platform used by organizations around the world. It provides an ideal environment for companies to update existing applications or build new ones. Microsoft's Level Up program offers a number of courses and certifications, from the basics with "Azure Fundamentals" to advanced data science skills with "AI Business School Learning."

4) Preferring sales and remote platforms:

Today, in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, providing fast and instant service to customers will be more critical than ever. For example, the famous shoe manufacturer Dr. Martens is now able to respond quickly to fluctuations in demand and deliver products without delay thanks to real-time inventory information. With tools like Microsoft Dynamics 365, companies can offer a wide range of services to improve online sales and the shopping experience. As with other Microsoft products, they offer free courses to learn how to use Azure.

5) Offer developers the ability to work remotely.

As companies that employ developers in-house know, telecommuting often results in lower quality work. With Microsoft Azure, however, developers can both program and deploy software while being able to manage their work remotely. Azure gives developers access to resources such as infrastructure, serverless applications and automated workflows.

6) Move more of your infrastructure to the cloud

To cope with the current crisis and a still uncertain economic future, many Swiss companies have had to resort to bank loans and cost cutting. This situation is likely to continue over time. To ensure the survival of these companies, it is important that they find ways to increase their efficiency and reduce their expenses.

Cost optimization is important for businesses, and Microsoft's cloud platform offers a number of on-demand models that can help reduce expenses. Azure allows you to move your IT infrastructure to the cloud, which can result in significant savings. In fact, Microsoft has created a tool that estimates the savings you can achieve by moving your workloads to Azure.