The shortage of skilled labour
One of the challenges SMEs face when it comes to digital transformation is the lack of qualified data experts and AI specialists to implement automation projects.
Unfilled positions delay important projects and slow down innovation.
Why is that?
Many SMEs believe that they have no chance against large corporations in the competition for talent. High salaries and strong employer brands seem unattainable.
The result? Frustration and the worry of being permanently reliant on expensive external service providers.
But SMEs actually want the opposite: they want to build up AI expertise within their own team in order to drive innovation and control costs independently.
The vision? A small, powerful in-house team that develops AI solutions and implements them quickly.
Is this vision even realisable?
Instead of looking externally for qualified specialists, the company could look for (hidden?) talent within its own ranks.
Perhaps this is one of the keys to success!
What SMEs can do
Look for and promote employees with an affinity for data and technology in your team. Targeted training helps build digital skills
Create a culture of innovation - a modern, future-orientated corporate culture attracts tech talent. Actively communicate to the outside world that innovation is a top priority for you.
Establish and utilise partnerships - cooperation with universities and start-ups opens up access to young talent and creative minds.
If in doubt, start by using ready-made AI solutions instead of trying to reinvent the wheel - simply ensure that they are adapted to the reality in your company.
Accept mistakes as long as you learn from them.
The result
With these measures, SMEs can not only mitigate the shortage of skilled labour, but also build up valuable AI skills within their own company.
This strengthens your company's ability to innovate in the long term.