It’s no surprise that technology has taken center stage during the pandemic. The utilization of digital technology platforms was instrumental in helping many organizations maintain operations during the weeks of shutdowns. From businesses and schools to medical centers and vaccination sites, humans’ reliance on technology helped hundreds of millions of people adapt to the changes that were spurred by the coronavirus.

This dependence on technology will ultimately change the Chief Information Officer role forever. As companies focus on future business success, their CIO’s vision will play a significant factor in shaping long-term decision making. And with tech budgets that will be reallocated in the months ahead, prudent choices will have to be made on where these funds are being spent.

Here are several critical decisions that CIOs will be forced to make that could reshape their roles and transform the trajectory of their organization.

Evaluating Post-Pandemic Talent Trends

The big question: In-office vs. work-from-home?

Weighing on the minds of almost every CIO and business executive on the planet is the following question: which workplace model should our company institute? While there are experts who point to the in-office approach as optimal for learning and team-based collaboration purposes, others point to cost savings that could be achieved by letting employees work remotely. Evaluating the pros and cons of each scenario will be critical for CIOs in determining where to allocate funds, as these changes could heavily impact IT budgets.

Interested in taking a deeper dive into what the future of the workplace could look like? Check out this article with insights from HR leaders.

The trickle-down effect

Regardless of whether businesses decide to return to the office, implement a hybrid model, or remain working from home, there are significant choices to be made to effectively maintain support for these workforce models. For instance, if fewer workers are entering the office daily, does the organization still need to keep the same IT infrastructure? Does the business need to dedicate greater sums of money for more comprehensive network security to fend off potential cyberattacks? If people are communicating via collaborative videoconferencing tools like Microsoft Teams or Zoom, how can these platforms be optimized? Should the organization spend more money on better laptops, monitors, and microphones for at-home workers? These are only some of the dozens of questions that must be answered—and CIOs will be forced to rack their brains and come up with an effective solution that supports their business.

The hybrid workforce model has become an increasingly popular trend in recent months. Here’s what you need to know about the new hybrid workplace.

A shift in recruitment—and a change in culture

In an intersection between HR and IT, CIOs are also keeping changing recruitment trends top-of-mind. As businesses are now able to recruit candidates from across the country—and even from around the world—how will this shift change how these potential employees are recruited and engaged? Organizations have spent more time and resources on improving the digital onboarding experience for recently hired workers. They’ve also designed programs and opportunities dedicated to fostering a culture of learning and development. Now, the focus for CIOs must shift to keeping these employees engaged during their tenure. We’ve all heard about the challenges associated with managing remote workers. Enhancing employee engagement is a critical piece of sustaining positive organizational culture, so it will be up to CIOs to find and implement platforms and strategies that can facilitate a greater sense of belonging for all employees.

Looking to boost your organizational culture? Here are tips on how to drive an improved workplace culture.

Summary

Emerging from the pandemic, technology will undoubtedly remain an increasing part of our everyday lives. As many businesses are transitioning to hybrid—and even fully remote—workplace models, forward-thinking organizations with innovative CIOs will commit additional resources to their technology and IT budgets to ensure that they are well-equipped to succeed in the future. While the task at hand may seem like a daunting one for CIOs, proper planning and research will enable the right decisions to be made for the betterment of the business.

This blog was written by TalentRise’s Senior Vice President, Carl Kutsmode. Learn more about Carl’s professional background here.