When the events of 2020 forced many companies to adopt remote work policies, IT departments quickly acted to establish and maintain the appropriate technologies. While 2021 may not come with as many abrupt changes for tech teams as the previous year, it won’t be without its own challenges.
By taking the time to consider the potential difficulties that lie ahead, tech leaders can better equip themselves to overcome them. Below, 16 members of Forbes Technology Council share the challenges their tech teams are facing in 2021 and how they plan to tackle them.
Members of Forbes Technology Council share the top challenges they and their teams are facing in 2021.
Photos courtesy of the individual members.1. Ensuring Security In A Remote Work Model
Companies are facing new challenges in 2021 as they navigate continued remote and now hybrid workforce models. As employees increasingly “work from anywhere,” security will be one of the most important challenges for any tech team. It’s critical to take a holistic approach to security with the key ingredients being a trusted supply chain, secure device features and a protected operating system. - Matthew Zielinski, Lenovo
2. Prioritizing Data Protection
As companies implement long-term remote work options, managing collaboration tools is a challenging necessity. Remote work brings higher demand on infrastructure and a greater chance for devices outside of corporate networks to be breached. Organizations must prioritize host security and data-protection capabilities to avoid data loss and ensure reliable information access for staff. - Mike Fuhrman, Flexential
3. Cultivating A Collaborative Culture
Pre-pandemic, we worked hard to build and maintain our wonderful team dynamics, which naturally lead to loyalty and passionate ideas. In pandemic times, one of our top challenges revolves around team growth and collaboration. For new and existing employees, we’re constantly showcasing that we’re more than faces on a computer screen—we’re humans with real hobbies and unique personalities. - Diane Keng, Breinify
4. Easing Into Post-Pandemic Mode
The biggest challenge has been the burnout from remote work. We all underestimated what it means to be in a prolonged virtual state with minimal physical activity and negligible social interaction. Like all major changes, it is critical to ease into a post-pandemic mode, anticipate the potential challenges and proactively mitigate them. - Darwin Deano, Deloitte Consulting
5. Projecting Confidence And Resilience
We are all experiencing this pandemic together, but individually, the biggest challenge is the constant uncertainty. At such times, team members are looking for their leader to project confidence and resilience. I make sure to guide by example and strive to create new opportunities and solutions for the ever-shifting environment together. - Alex Dzyuba, Lucid Reality Labs
6. Preparing For Economic Recovery
We’re all hopeful that the economy will eventually recover and the industry will be flush with money for “shovel-ready” projects. A challenge is determining the right level of preparedness. We are meeting with finance teams and equity partners to put our financial bridge in place. This will help us capture the future: When all the federal, state and local dollars begin to be spent, we will be ready. - Thomas McElroy, Level-1 Global Solutions, LLC
7. Maintaining Social Interactions
We have been 100% virtual for a year and are looking at possibly another year of the same. This is very significant because although everyone adapted to this “new normal,” there are consequences from the missed social interactions. A key challenge is to find creative ways that don’t seem contrived to compensate. We use cameras in all our meetings, do a lot of chats and one-on-ones, and host virtual social events. - Krishna Subramanian, Komprise
8. Hiring Fast Enough
One problem we’re facing in 2021 is hiring fast enough. Digital experiences are more important than ever before, and many companies are investing in digital growth. This means that technology talent is extremely hard to come by. We have to work harder than ever before to find good candidates, and we’re using strategies such as proactive sourcing and staffing partnerships to help fill the gaps. - Amy Czuchlewski, Bottle Rocket
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9. Emphasizing Teamwork
With remote work in full effect, it’s difficult to feel the sense of teamwork in your day-to-day workload, or feel like you are a part of something bigger. Even more than before, it’s important to hold team meetings and team-building events—even virtually—to keep that sense of camaraderie and team spirit going during this pandemic. - Adam Bayaa, Heal
10. Transitioning People Back Into The Office
Having people come back to work will be a big challenge, as we will need to build our on-site culture again. Constant engagement will be needed to sail back into the new normal starting in 2021. We are ensuring that smaller teams come back one at a time once they are comfortable working together so that when we have a full house, comfort and culture have already kicked in. - Bhavna Juneja, Infinity, a Stamford Technology Company
11. Giving Employees New Challenges And Opportunities
2020 was an unprecedented year that provided a lot of natural motivation, but as the urgency of Covid-19 wears off, how do we maintain the same level of enthusiasm and motivation? We are overcoming this by making organizational changes and moving people into different positions. This prevents complacency and stagnation by providing employees with fresh challenges and new opportunities. - Brandon Welch, Doxy.me
12. Creating A Relevant and Engaging Product
One of the major challenges of Covid-19 is being felt by product teams, which are striving to adapt to the changing patterns, behaviors and needs of customers. The ability to make your product sticky, relevant and engaging—especially in these dynamic times—is amazing. - Harshil Shah, DXFactor
13. Maintaining Diverse Talent
Challenges include maintaining diverse talent—especially females—and securing the well-being of employees. Failing at either will have a significant long-term detrimental impact, not just on the tech sector but on our broader society. - Didem Un Ates, Microsoft
14. Building Strong Customer Relationships
Building tight-knit relationships with customers and clients is more challenging than ever in the Covid-19 era. In-person events, mixers and networking have all taken a backseat due to safety concerns. We’ve leveraged virtual platforms as much as humanly possible, conducting webinars and virtual expert summits. In-person meetings are tougher to do, but technology can help immensely. - John Shin, RSI Security
15. Driving Digital Innovation
2020 taught us that to be competitive, we must be agile and able to respond quickly to changing market conditions. In 2021, my team and I will look to drive digital business model innovation that focuses on speed, flexibility and agility. We aim to demonstrate value beyond dollar figures, focusing on time to implement, value to business and customers, and competitive differentiation. - Kim Huffman, Elastic
16. Pivoting Toward New Opportunities
The biggest challenge we face is our ability to pivot when a new opportunity arises. This year, more than ever before, new opportunities will arise as the globe opens back up. The companies that see these opportunities first and those that can capitalize on them will springboard ahead of their competition. - Laureen Knudsen, Broadcom
