(by Vincenzo Cimini, Cons. of administration Green Holding spa) Only 7% of Italian companies said they have not yet started the digital transformation process, compared to 9% a year ago. This is one of the data that emerged in the latest European survey by Cornerstone OnDemand entitled "Future Culture: build a culture of innovation in the era of digital transformation ".
It is one of the most accurate studies of human resources professionals, IT managers and managers of companies with over 500 employees. The study was carried out on a sample of over 1900 respondents from 14 European countries, including Italy. Digital transformation is traveling strongly in our country but there is no lack of cultural resistance to change, perhaps one of the greatest challenges facing Italian companies. The Cornerstone survey highlighted how the number of companies claiming to be unable to find talent and skills has halved, from 26 to 14% within a year. But what strategies do Italian companies use to recruit the best talents? 52% said they use internal selection while 43%, certainly a very considerable slice, uses social platforms. A rather similar trend also at the European level. Differences are instead noted in the reliance on recruitment platforms or selection agencies: a strategy less and less used in Italy (between 30 and 37%) than in Europe (between 43 and 48%). In evaluating a candidate, Italian companies look above all to professional requirements rather than school requirements, while European companies tend more to value problem solving skills and consider it an essential requirement in the selection process, an aspect that does not seem so central for selectors of Italian companies.
On-the-job training, training, coaching are the strategies most used by Italian companies for staff growth. The latest surveys carried out reveal a harmonization between the HR, IT departments and the remaining company components, an element considered fundamental for digital transformation. "Everyone agrees that innovation is essential if companies are to survive in a rapidly changing digital world - commented Federico Francini, Regional Sales Director, Cornerstone OnDemand Italia - but innovation can be an abstract and difficult concept to define. The survey results highlight a clear link between innovation speed and talent management and why the latter is so important. Italian companies still seem to depend heavily on internal selection forms, rather than using specialized agencies and recruiting platforms that can help identify external candidates with adequate skills, new ideas and an innovative mindset. To truly innovate, Italian HR departments must encourage change and coordinate talent management at all stages of the employee's life cycle: from recruitment to onboarding, from performance review to development. Coordinating these efforts will help companies predict future skills shortages and plan for future changes, while increasing productivity and innovation.».