Exploring the technology mindset gap: a deep dive analysis by Advanced
With technology’s continuous evolution, the disparity between senior leaders and junior employees in terms of their technology mindset becomes evident. To explore this divide, Advanced conducted a survey with fascinating and concerning results.
The report reveals that senior leaders possess a broad perspective of the organisation, engaging in regular communications with their Senior Leadership Team (SLT) for deeper insights into every function. However, in contrast, junior workers, including managers, department heads, and team leaders, often have a narrower focus on their areas of responsibility, resulting in a more siloed view of the company.
This difference in perspective creates a technology mindset gap between the two groups. Hence, it is imperative for leaders to develop a deeper understanding rooted in data. Let’s explore the intricacies of this disparity in detail across various areas!
An analysis of technology mindset across different areas
IT infrastructure
In the realm of IT infrastructure, the latest study by Advanced paints an intriguing picture. The survey reveals a striking level of confidence among Owner/CEO/MDs about the suitability of their current IT infrastructure in supporting their business model, with a whopping 97% expressing either high confidence (75%) or confidence (22%). This level of assurance starkly contrasts with the lesser figure of 85% confidence reported by respondents across all other positions within their organisations.
There are a range of The two key factors are: firstly, the leaders, having been instrumental in the final decision to purchase the IT systems in use, naturally show confidence in their own judgement. Secondly, the senior-most leaders often have the privilege of having access to comprehensive data from across their entire business, an advantage facilitated by robust, cloud-based technology. This broader perspective enables these leaders to have a greater sense of confidence in their IT solutions, further widening the technology mindset divide in the organisation.
Right investment in right technology
When it comes to digital transformation, senior leaders have more confidence in their organisation’s technology investment strategy. Our latest survey shows that 68% of Owner/CEO/MDs believe their organisation has a strong leadership strategy for digital enablement. In contrast, other respondents reported an average of only 37%, and senior managers were even less positive at just 28%.
The optimism towards technology investments continues. Our data reveals that 56% of Owner/CEO/MDs believe their organisation is ahead of the competition in terms of technology, surpassing the average of 25% reported by all other respondents. This significant difference suggests that these leaders either have superior insight into their organisation’s technological standing or possess greater decision-making confidence.
The divergence in perceptions regarding digital enablement strategy and competitive positioning in technology emphasises a major concern. Addressing this concern is crucial for ensuring a unified tech vision throughout the organisation.
Implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial Intelligence (AI), as a transformative technology, is gaining momentum across industries. But the implementation of AI varies significantly across organisations, which is reflected in our survey results. Notably, 58% of Owner/CEO/MDs report current utilisation of AI tools, nearly double the 29% reported by respondents in other positions. This notable contrast suggests that senior leaders possess a more comprehensive understanding of AI-driven processes or that there may be a misconception about the extent of AI implementation.
Despite the growing use of AI tools, there is a noticeable apprehension about their deployment in the business domain. Almost half, precisely 49%, of Owner/CEO/MDs express concerns about the inherent risks associated with AI tools in their operational strategies. This apprehension surpasses the average of 33% reported across all levels within organisations.
The way forward – Bridging the technology mindset gap
With the above facts, it’s evident that there exists an apparent divide between senior and junior leaders in terms of their technology mindset. To bridge this gap, organisations must foster a culture of open communication and transparency. Senior leaders should actively involve all levels of workers within the organisation in technology decision-making processes and provide them access to comprehensive data for informed choices.
In addition, you can download our 8th Annual Trends Report to gain a comprehensive understanding of the technology mindset divide between senior and junior leaders. That way, you can bridge the gap and create a unified vision for technology in their operations, leading to increased efficiency and success.
Download Annual Trends Report now!
