Staffing hurdles

A recession may loom but the war for talent rages on, according to a Robert Half Technology survey. CIOs say that landing experienced staff remains challenging. IT leaders at the largest firms (1,000+ employees) are having the greatest difficulty: 24 per cent named this their top staffing issue.

"Of the following staffing issues within the IT department, which do you consider to be your greatest challenge?"

Finding skilled technology professionals: 24%

Providing staff with adequate skills training: 23%

Keeping employees productive: 17%

Dealing with personality conflicts among employees: 11%

Developing defined career paths for IT staff members: 10%

None/don't know: 10%

Source: Robert Half Technology

IT spending eases off

Companies are slowing down their technology spending as fears of a US recession take hold in the nation's executive board rooms.

Twenty-three per cent of respondents said their companies will reduce or halt second-quarter IT spending in 2008, according to a study by ChangeWave Research. The investment advice firm surveyed 2,013 people involved with IT spending from February 11 to February 15. Most worked for US companies, with 7 per cent coming from Canada, as well as a small number from other nations.

Only 15 per cent said second-quarter spending would increase, a nine-point drop from last November. Just 10 per cent reported that first-quarter spending was greater than planned, a fall of seven points. Twenty-seven per cent said their companies spent less than planned in the first quarter, a rise of three points.

Meanwhile, 43 per cent said their companies will "green light" second-quarter spending, meaning conditions are normal. But that represents a nine-point drop from the last study. The results are similar across companies of all sizes, according to the data.

"We're having a tough quarter right now," says ChangeWave Research Director Paul Carton. "Spending is down. That doesn't mean there aren't pockets where things are doing OK." Strong consumer spending could prop up the economy even as business tightens its belt, he says.

Respondents offered lukewarm forecasts for this year. Only 19 per cent expected their IT budget to grow in the second half of 2008; 20 per cent predicted it will drop. However, 51 per cent believe it will remain the same.

--Chris Kanaracus