Businesses need to be ready to cater to the rising number of internet users

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) last week revealed that 87.9% of adults had recently (in the last three months) used the internet, compared with 86.2% in 2015. Internet usage is increasing throughout all demographics, with women aged 75 and over up 169% in 2011. This displays that the internet is yet to reach its peak penetration rate, with all areas of society showing steady increase.

The internet has carried us to the information age that we now live in. We are surrounded by a culture which revolves around internet connectivity and this hyper-connected world has changed our daily lives, especially in the business world.

The internet can be accessed via a variety of platforms like a personal computer, mobile phone, tablets, game consoles or smart TVs. It is no surprise that the number of users has risen, given that they are able to harness the connection through different devices. Each of these devices require unique development work.

Farida Gibbs, CEO and Founder of Gibbs S3, comments, “People and devices are becoming increasingly connected, therefore businesses need talent who have the necessary expertise. A workforce is the biggest asset to support an IT infrastructure and the digital development which a businesses, which allows companies to carve a competitive edge for themselves.

“With more internet users, companies need to understand the opportunities digital innovations bring to create services which are compatible with different devices. They need a workforce with the necessary expertise and skills to create what is expected by their customer base.”

To keep pace in this digital world, businesses need to recognise that employee development and business growth goes hand in hand. Digital innovations are required for businesses to stay relevant and competitive.

Gibbs continues, “Traditional forms of recruitment on their own do not offer the flexibility or expertise required to complete such agile projects. To cope with consumer demand from the digital native generation, a hybrid approach to workforce solutions is necessary. Combining traditional recruitment, with project consultancy, creates a blended approach that gives businesses the flexibility they need to undergo necessary digital projects.”