Welcome to the seventh issue of IT Pro 20/20, our digital magazine that brings all of the previous month's most important tech issues into clear view.
Each month, we will shine a spotlight on the content that we feel every IT professional should be aware of, only in a condensed version that can be read on the go, at a time that suits you.
This time we're turning our attention to a part of the tech industry that has shown remarkable resilience during a time of upheaval. The small business and startups sectors have long been associated with innovation, agility, fresh talent, and, let's face it, quirkiness. The smaller you are, the easier it is to shake things up, whether that's in the way employees work or the markets that are targeted.
Yet, the coronavirus pandemic has forced many larger businesses to go back to basics. Restructuring is now common, and so too is mass remote work. Some business processes no longer work as well as they did, while others have ground to a halt entirely. In many ways, the larger firms have had to behave like startups in order to survive, taking cues about the prioritisation of agility above all else and abandoning longer-tail projects in favour of those that provide immediate value.
It's this idea of smaller businesses driving the new normal that's the theme for most of our articles this month, although it’s most prominent in our lead feature, which takes a look at the trends that are likely to define how we work over the next few years. Elsewhere, we've got some industry tips on how to begin building your SMB tech stack, a somewhat frank discussion on the hidden dangers of bringing staff back from furlough, and a look at whether it’s wise to launch a new business right now.
The next IT Pro 20/20 will be available on Friday 28 August. Previous issues can be found here.
We hope you enjoy reading this month's issue. If you would like to receive each issue in your inbox as they release, you can subscribe to our mailing list here.
-
Bigger salaries, more burnout: Is the CISO role in crisis?In-depth CISOs are more stressed than ever before – but why is this and what can be done?
-
Cheap cyber crime kits can be bought on the dark web for less than $25News Research from NordVPN shows phishing kits are now widely available on the dark web and via messaging apps like Telegram, and are often selling for less than $25.
-
What does the Data Protection and Digital Information (DPDI) Bill mean for small businesses?In-depth Everything SMBs need to know as soon-to-be-updated data protection regulations make compliance easier and reduce costs
-
Is Rishi Sunak’s ‘Unicorn Kingdom’ a reachable goal or a mere pipedream?Analysis Plunging venture capital investment and warnings over high-growth company support raise doubts over the ‘Unicorn Kingdom’ ambition
-
Some Tech Nation programs could continue after Founders Forum acquisitionNews The acquisition brings to a close a months-long saga over what the future holds for Tech Nation initiatives
-
Podcast transcript: Startup succession: From Tech Nation to Eagle LabsIT Pro Podcast Read the full transcript for this episode of the ITPro Podcast
-
The ITPro Podcast: Startup succession: From Tech Nation to Eagle LabsITPro Podcast Some small firms are already lamenting the loss of Tech Nation, but Barclays Eagle Labs has much to offer the sector
-
Don’t count Barclays Eagle Labs out just yet – it can deliver in ways Tech Nation never hasOpinion Tech Nation has a great track record, but Eagle Labs has the experience, the financial clout, and a clear-cut vision that will deliver positive results for UK tech
-
UK tech sector could face a ‘unicorn winter’ amid spiralling economic conditionsNews Tech Nation’s final piece of industry research calls for action to support continued ecosystem growth
-
"It's still not great": Industry divided on government's SMB tax relief packageNews The government’s handling of R&D tax credits has left SMBs with a “sense of disbelief”
