So here we are, another year gone by and a new one opening out in front of us. What a year 2021 was, full of uncertainty and change, but some hope as well. The start of a new year is a time when peoples’ thoughts often turn to aspirational change and new beginnings, and this feels more pertinent than ever following such a challenging couple of years. Many are keen to close the door on 2021 and at a time where goals and resolutions are at the forefront of everyone’s mind, we asked 300 IT decision makers across the UK and US what their thoughts and feelings are going into 2022.
Here’s what they told us…
Opening the door to better times?
After a couple of years that have brought us unpredicted upheaval and unprecedented challenges, many ITDMs are feeling positive as they look ahead to the coming year:
We delved into the thoughts behind these statistics and it was clear that this positivity was driven by a real sense of achievement as a result of successfully navigating challenging times. Many are feeling that we have weathered the hardest part of the storm, the worst is now over:
The challenges of the last two years have re-shaped many businesses and the new year presents opportunities for growth, innovation, and to embrace different ways of doing things:
Uncertainty still has a foot in the door
Although the majority of ITDMs are feeling positive, for some it is understandably hard to leave behind the feelings stirred up by the pandemic. The relentlessness and upheaval that accompanied the unwelcome arrival of COVID-19 has left 18% of ITDMs feeling exhausted, 17% worried about the future and 12% overwhelmed. It is clear that the uncertainty of the pandemic’s progress and also Brexit in the UK is hanging over many people:
When one door closes another one opens
The feelings that people take into a new year set the tone for thoughts and resolutions, and for many it can be a time to start afresh and embrace new habits and attitudes. This is reflected by that fact that almost all (98%) of our ITDMs intend to make a change to their role that will improve things for them personally in 2022. At the core of this change is a desire to improve their role to make it work better for them:
ITDMs not only expect to make changes themselves in 2022, but most (98%) also feel that their organisation should be making changes too. Many suggestions support the personal changes they’re looking for to improve their lives:
Organisations have a big role to play here and can take the new year as an opportunity to free up the time their employees spend on mundane, time-consuming tasks, to encourage flexibility in working patterns, and to embrace new attitudes and initiatives, allowing employees to spend more time with their families and friends, to focus on what brings them joy both inside and outside of work, and to ensure they feel valued in the role that they do. Employees are in the driving seat and organisations who do what they can to help their workforce feel balanced and fulfilled will surely see less impact from ‘the Great Resignation’**.
Open the door to change
Each time a new year rolls around, a fantastic opportunity for reflection and to embrace improvements presents itself. People and organisations who strive to keep evolving, both in their personal and professional capacities, are likely to be the most satisfied with their new year changes and the progress they make in 2022.
We’ll close with the words of one ITDM: “I believe 2022 is going to be a year of opportunity”.
Here’s hoping that 2022 opens up opportunities to make positive changes for you too – wishing you all a fantastic 2022 from all of us at Vanson Bourne. Hopefully there’ll be even more positivity to look forward to next year.
Methodology
300 IT decision makers from across the US and UK were interviewed in December 2021 and January 2022. All respondents were from organisations in the private sector, with 1,000 or more employees.