Panel discussion at the ITWeb BI Summit 2024. From left: Jay Naidoo, Iwan Rynders, Ncumisa Hlapo and Dominic Albrecht.
As demand for data and artificial intelligence (AI) expertise skyrockets, the skills gap widens. Companies must find and retain the best talent to remain competitive. This was the message from experts during a round table at ITWeb BI Summit 2024 in Johannesburg this week.
The roundtable highlighted the evolving skills needed for data analytics and AI teams to succeed. This includes a mix of technical skills such as SQL and statistics, as well as soft skills such as understanding business problems, working with ambiguity and effective communication.
Ncumisa Hlapo, senior manager: data analytics at Medscheme, highlighted the need for continuous skills development and adaptation.
“The technology landscape is constantly evolving, requiring different approaches across organizations. While technical skills remain crucial, data professionals must also possess strong soft skills, such as understanding business problems, context, and strategy.
Jay Naidoo, head of business intelligence at Nedgroup Investments, added thatTechnical knowledge and expertise remain essential to data analysis. However, with the rise of generative AI, creativity is also needed to effectively story-tell data and tailor insights and stories to the unique needs of different business contexts.
The discussion shifted to strategies for finding and retaining the right talent. Iwan Rynders, head of analytics and business intelligence at Moyo, described his organisation’s approach: focusing on clear values to attract the best minds, investing in continuous upskilling and prioritizing creation of a strong internal talent pool.
“With a limited talent pool, it is crucial to develop our own talent,” Rynders explained. “We work with universities to identify promising individuals and invest in their development through graduate programs and ongoing development. This reinvestment strengthens the talent ecosystem as a whole.
The discussion highlighted how organizations can ensure their most talented individuals feel valued and clearly see a path for growth within the company.
Hlapo emphasized that employee satisfaction not only helps avoid costly employee turnover, but also plays a vital role in building a positive employer brand. “When your team does well, they become brand champions who champion your brand. It also helps attract more talent,” she said.
Naidoo said talent retention relies on understanding each person’s individual values, and it is the responsibility of business leaders to truly understand the people in their company.
“Once you get to know your people, you can understand their personal values and (see how they) align with the company’s values and those of your team. So if you want to create a successful team, this is where you need to start,” concluded Naidoo.
