What can be done to make the Lake Constance region more attractive for IT professions and thus develop Baden Württemberg into a digital stronghold? These were the central questions during Stefan Krebs and Lord Mayor Andreas Brand's visit to the consulting and software company doubleSlash.
As CIO/CDO of the Ministry of the Interior, Digitization and Migration, one of Krebs' core tasks is to drive forward the digital transformation in Baden-Württemberg. One part of this is to enter into dialogue with important digitalization implementers, exchange best practices and work together on solutions for upcoming challenges.
Start-ups and innovative digitalization forges tend to be drawn to the big cities
Although Baden-Württemberg is a pioneer when it comes to innovation, the situation is different when it comes to digitalization, says Krebs. One challenge that needs to be addressed here is that start-ups tend to settle in large cities such as Berlin or Munich. Creating the basis here so that digital, software-driven innovations can be implemented and fall on fertile ground is one of Krebs' first projects. For him, however, this also includes supporting SMEs and local authorities in their digitalization projects and taking away their fear of the digital transformation, especially when it comes to jobs.
doubleSlash Managing Director Konrad Krafft sees a particular need for action in the appreciation of developers and the associated shortage of skilled workers. A lot has been invested over the years to strengthen the economy and engineering in the region. "We must now also succeed in doing this with software developers," he says. Appreciation for computer science must increase and be promoted in schools, as it is a key driver of digital innovation. Krebs assured that he had recognized this challenge and would invest more in the training of IT specialists.
doubleSlash is responding to the growing demand for digitalization companions and implementers and is opening another location in Stuttgart at the beginning of 2018 in addition to the Munich branch.
Establishing centers of excellence and breaking down silo mentality
Establishing centers of excellence and breaking down silo mentalityCities and municipalities can also help to ensure that working in the Lake Constance region becomes and remains attractive for developers. "Establishing competence centers where expertise is pooled is the right way forward. The Competence Park is a good example of this. We need more knowledge hubs for digitalization," says Krafft. The digital transformation can only succeed if silo thinking is dissolved by shaping it together.
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