Tech CEOs anticipate growth

A new survey from Deloitte shows that CEOs of tech firms plan to add staff within the next year, though they acknowledge that finding and keeping talent is getting tougher.

Conducted last quarter, the survey is based on responses from CEOs from companies ranked in Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500, an annual ranking of the fastest growing technology companies in North America. According to the results, 97% plan to boost headcount in the next 12 months. A full 47% said staffing growth will exceed 25%, while 17% expect growth to exceed 50%.

Close to half of CEOs polled identify finding and keeping those workers as the biggest operational challenge. “Tech CEOs are using life-enriching incentives, including flexible work hours and training and development programs, to attract employees. And, for the majority of the CEOs, stock options or other ownership interests are still the most visible carrots,” says Tony Kern, deputy national managing principal of Deloittes’ U.S. Technology, Media & Telecommunications Group.

To entice workers, 71% offer stock options or some form of ownership interest. Among those CEOs polled, 23% offer extra vacation time, 35% offer training and development programs, and 28% provide a career growth plan.

These CEOs are confident about the future of their companies and report that Internet and IP technologies are critical to operations. A full 62% use IP to connect geographically dispersed employees, while other uses include research collaboration, voice communications, and reporting and regulatory compliance. Meanwhile, 62% use IP as a communications channel with clients, 56% use it to deliver customer support, and 50% use it as a sales and distribution channel.

For more information on the study, click here.