2020 has been one for the history books before it is even over. What started as a health crisis soon became an economic and social crisis profound enough to impact the world almost overnight. And while many of us are pleased to reach the end of this extraordinary year, it is also a good time for reflection, counting our blessings and celebrating our successes.

After a tumultuous year, the world of work has changed dramatically. Organisations have had to adapt their systems, processes and ways of working, shifting to a more agile, creative and flexible approach in order to survive. The digital space has played a huge part in this global transformation and while the demand for skilled digital professionals is soaring, so too is the competition amongst candidates.

After a tumultuous year, the world of work has changed dramatically. Organisations have had to adapt their systems, processes and ways of working, shifting to a more agile, creative and flexible approach in order to survive.

Prior to COVID-19, people were already talking about their “work” and “life” buckets – how to keep productivity and play in balance, even separate from one another. Now, it’s safe to say the pandemic has intertwined the two forever. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing: In fact, many of the skills you’ve likely picked up during your leisure time have been shown to improve skills and performance in the workplace.

In a year of change for many organisations, one constant has been the increasing calls for more Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) across the UK workforce, with inclusivity fast extending beyond a moral imperative for today’s boardroom agenda, to become a business imperative as well.

Knowing your strengths is crucial in the increasingly competitive world of work. By pinpointing your key strengths, you’ll be able to effectively communicate your value to a future employer and differentiate yourself from other candidates.

The year 2020 has created many obstacles for employers around the globe. The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated a major shift in workplace locations and a heavy reliance on digital technologies to complete tasks, operate businesses and communicate with teams.

CIOs are no stranger to pressure. However, organisations’ typically strong appetites for technology and innovation have turned insatiable this year, to meet the urgent workforce and consumer needs brought on by the pandemic.