Rating: Research shows 74% of positions unfilled
A survey conducted by business research agency, Lightspeed, for Antenna Software found that 74 Percent of US and UK Businesses have mobile-related jobs to be filled. When global unemployment rates are hitting record highs, we’re seeing the emergence of a new mobile role – the mobile strategist. Antenna’s research discovered that nearly 30 percent of companies surveyed currently have a mobile strategist, chief mobile officer, or head of mobile who is devoted specifically to mobile strategy and its execution across various departments. Specifically, 20 per cent of businesses are presently recruiting mobile app developers and mobile content creators. Another 23 per cent are looking to hire those with mobile device management (MDM) expertise. This is a clear sign that many companies are grappling with their BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) strategies.The Antenna research is based on a poll of 600 HR [Human Resources] managers across the USA and UK who were asked about their plans for creating ‘mobile specific roles’ over the next 12 months.
Amongst those companies with mobile positions to fill, 25 per cent have found it difficult to find the right workers.
Of those companies, the vast majority (93 percent) have indicated it is not due to a lack of applicants, but rather the absence of someone with the right qualities for the job.
Jim Somers, CMO with Antenna, commented, “While mobile and wireless technologies have been part of business culture for many years, we’re actually still in the early stages and only beginning to see the broad social and economic impact it will have for many years to come.”
In a report back in February 13, 2012 from Forrester Research entitled, ‘Mobile is the New Face of Engagement’, the authors – Ted Schadler and John McCarthy, wrote, “Firms taking a project approach to mobility will see redundant escalating costs, slower growth of their mobile engagement IQ, and potential damage to their brand if the app suffers due to systems failure.”
“These problems can be mitigated with a dedicated mobile technology group.”
Somers added, “We expect to see a greater number of businesses expand their mobile teams and identify a mobile strategist to lead the way and ensure long-term success.”
Of course, any good mobile strategist is going to need a little help from his (or her) friends. Which is where Antenna hopes to come in, naturally.
As Somers says, “We believe they’ll need a trusted partner in their corner that has the vision, experience, and the technology to help with all aspects of enterprise mobile management.”
So, dig out your CV and re-write so it contains the words mobile strategist. OK?
