Over two-thirds of Swiss companies plan to invest in digital know-how

More than two-thirds (70 %) of the Swiss companies surveyed expect to invest in digital skills. This puts Switzerland ahead of its neighbours France (64 %) and Germany (66 %). Investment in training the digital skills of employees (59 %) is at the forefront, followed by investment in digital resources (56%). 40 percent of companies cite the fact that digital skills are of central importance to their business strategy as the main reason for this investment behavior. Securing a competitive advantage follows in second place with 37 percent.

 The roughly 25 percent of respondents that are not expected to invest in digital capabilities during the next 12 months cite a lack of pressure from customers (32 %) as the main reason. A similarly high proportion state that investing in digital capabilities is not a priority in the short term (31 %).

 Increase in productivity as the main benefit

Regardless of whether or not they plan to invest in digital skills in the next year, all companies were asked about the clearest benefits of investing in digital skills. Respondents see the greatest positive impact in terms of increased productivity (41 %), more flexible working (40 %) and better customer service (34 %). Productivity increases in particular are mentioned most frequently by large companies (46 %).

 Leverage cloud computing for higher productivity
In this context, cloud applications enable more flexible adjustments to constantly changing market and customer requirements. At the same time, they can be used to strengthen digital competencies by bringing information together more efficiently and helping to break down data silos. However, Sage's survey showed that only 30 percent of Swiss companies surveyed use cloud applications for administrative tasks such as wages, accounting and HR.

 Tobias Ackermann: "The willingness to invest in digital skills shows that Swiss companies have recognised the scope of digitalisation. I see this as a very positive development, because it is precisely these skills that play a decisive role in the future viability of companies. At the same time, however, it is clear that SMEs still have some catching up to do when it comes to the use of cloud applications. They need sustainable business strategies. This also involves deciding whether to invest in their own cloud infrastructure or to rent it and outsource operational responsibility."

 Europe-wide strongest desire for funding for trainees

With regard to the question of how the state can support companies in digital knowledge creation, 35 percent of Swiss companies would like access to free training, followed by tax breaks (32 %) and access to funding for learners or apprenticeships (32%). The desire for government support for learners stands out the most in Switzerland compared to all the European markets surveyed, significantly more so than, for example, in the immediate neighbouring countries of France (19 %) and Germany (20 %).

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