CIOs, CTOs confident in growth prospects in 2012

Despite global economic uncertainty, Australian chief information officers (CIOs) and chief technology officers (CTOs) are looking to 2012 with confidence in their business’ growth prospects, according to a technology recruitment firm.

A survey conducted by Robert Half Technology revealed 81 per cent of 100 Australian CIOs and CTOs surveyed are confident that their business prospects will grow this year, while 73 per cent are confident in Australia’s growth prospects.

A net 36 per cent of IT decision makers plan to hire IT staff in the first half of this year, with more than a third saying that business growth is the main reason for companies looking to hire staff to work on IT system upgrades and to meet rising workloads.

Jonathan Chapman, associate director at Robert Half Technology, said the demand for IT professionals remains strong, despite economic challenges.

“Despite broader economic uncertainty, companies continue to invest in IT projects to keep pace with competitors and drive business efficiency. As such, demand for talented IT professionals remains buoyant,” he said in a statement.

Out of all the CIOs and CTOs surveyed, only 9 per cent plan to decrease IT staff levels. Chapman said businesses that reduce overhead cost as a way of saving a quick buck could miss out in the long term. “If companies are too focused on saving costs in the short-term, they may miss out on technology professionals that could drive long term business efficiency,” he said in statement.

Chapman said staff retention and acquisition of IT is important because talent is the key for business growth in 2012.

“Business growth is reliant on having the appropriate IT capability which in turn requires the right technology professionals,” he said. "Companies need to consider whether they have the right quantity and quality of IT professionals to meet their business goals.”

Follow CIO Australia on Twitter: @CIO_Australia

Follow Rebecca Merrett on Twitter: @Rebecca_Merrett

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