We’ve recently supported Manchester’s first technology CIO Watercooler event, a day aimed at collaboration, innovation and insight. The event was opened up to the North West’s finest leaders in Technology and below we capture some key messages shared throughout the day.

Joanne Roney, Chief Executive at Manchester City Council announces 21,000 new technology jobs will be created in Manchester over the next 4-5 years, and that in the next 20 years 90% of jobs will require STEM experience. This opening statement sets the tone for the entire event; that Manchester’s technology marketplace is thriving.

Four key topics were emphasised throughout, they were people, collaboration, education and transformation. Our technology leaders share their thoughts on why transformation is essential and that people are at the core of business success. Investment in IT education is vital to bridge skills gaps, particularly in cyber security and data science, and it’s the role of Manchester’s IT leaders to support education through technology schemes and apprenticeships. These leaders recognise that the best ideas don’t come from our own generation but the generations below, so it’s important to nurture growing talent.

IT transformation was discussed by many speakers and Rick Farrow CTO of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority believes contractors can be a great business asset if used effectively. Contractors should show us what good looks like and not become stagnant within organisational structures. Utilising gig economy workers as a recruitment option can accelerate business transformation, and should be a consideration for all IT functions looking for specific talents. Leaders believe that the key to achieving IT transformation is taking your time and engaging your workforce. Open communications, a willingness to listen and change, and the motivation to keep challenging each other are key components to uniting a team.

To round-off the event, digital strategist Ade McCormack shared his thoughts on the future of business success. He believes there has been a balance shift from employer to employee and that now more than ever businesses are shaping themselves around their valued employees. In order to compete in the digital landscape employees must become masters of their field, continuously developing themselves to become innovative and challenging thinkers. Talent is an art and no robots or algorithms can compete with such artistry. Again, people are at the core of Ade’s thinking and it’s clear that the technology industry, like many others, can only evolve by investing in an adaptable recruitment strategy.

It was encouraging to see so many experts placing people at the heart of their IT vision. We support our clients with their changing recruitment needs and believe that building successful teams comes down to listening and understanding the business vision and culture. For more information on how Apply Recruitment could support you please email contactus@applyrecruitment.co.uk