Future technology trends and challenges for the tech industry    

Johan Lenander is CEO of member company Tunstall. TechSverige asked four questions about the company and the tech industry.

What exciting trends do you see this year and next?  
   
As a leading tech company, we are constantly at the forefront of innovation and digital transformation. In the coming year and beyond, we see several exciting milestones. With our global presence and a diverse portfolio of technology-based solutions and services, we are well positioned to navigate the emerging trends.   
   
In particular, we see developments in areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT). This will enable innovative products and services in the tech sector. A particular focus is on transforming healthcare from reactive to proactive and finally predictive using technological advances.  
 
There is a willingness and competence to collaborate and standardize. This is not only within Sweden's borders but also internationally. Standardization simplifies for the individual user, the citizen but also for us suppliers. Standardization ensures efficiency and provides opportunities for everyone involved to focus on new development instead of repetition. This is a positive trend that will benefit us greatly in the future.   
 
We also predict a continued digital transformation across industries to adapt to ever-changing customer behavior. Tech companies offering solutions in digitization, cloud services and digital platforms will be at the forefront and create new markets.  
   
In addition, we see an increased focus on cybersecurity and the importance of being ISO 27001 certified. It is important to continue investing in cybersecurity. It will be crucial for several reasons, including ensuring legal and regulatory compliance, risk management and business continuity planning. Additional reasons are protection against data breaches and malware and not least - increased customer confidence. This is driven by the new NIS2 Directive which comes into force this year and the new EU Directive focusing on cybersecurity for IoT devices which comes into force in 2025.  

What are you doing to be an attractive employer?  
   
For us at Tunstall, creating a stimulating corporate culture and a conducive work environment is crucial to being an attractive employer. We value diversity and strive for individual growth of our employees, which is an important factor for our long-term success. By offering ergonomic workplaces, bright and modern premises, and a comprehensive range of health and wellness benefits, we prioritize the physical and mental health of our employees. We also aim to promote a work-life balance through flexible working arrangements where possible.  
   
Social responsibility and sustainability are integral to our business. By contributing to society and improving the quality of life of healthcare professionals and their users, we demonstrate that we are a tech company with a strong commitment to people.  
 
Tunstall has in recent years been transformed on the development side. From working with waterfall-oriented delivery methodology to fully delivering in accordance with agile development methodology - Scaled Agile Framework (SAFE). The result is an improved work situation and happier employees.  

What are the challenges for the tech sector in the region?  
   
In the Öresund region and other tech hubs, we face the challenge of attracting and retaining skilled talent in a competitive environment. The continued growth of the tech sector is increasing the demand for technical expertise. This creates a challenge for us and other companies to ensure the availability of the right skills. By offer a stimulating work environment and good development opportunities, we are well equipped to meet this challenge and continue to develop the company.  

How do you work to secure the need for tech skills?

Securing skills in the company is a continuous process that requires a strategic and proactive approach. It's about ensuring that the company has the right skills in the right place at the right time, both now and in the future. There are a number of aspects that we work on, including identifying the competences and skills needed to achieve our goals, but also mapping the competences that employees already have, and thereby working to fill our skills gaps.  

We are dedicated to offering our people opportunities to grow and develop in their existing roles or take on new challenges internally. We always advocate internal mobility over recruitment, to retain our people by offering career development opportunities.    

Sometimes we need to recruit skills from outside. We work continuously to strengthen Tunstall's brand as an attractive employer. We are convinced that if we have proud and committed employees who work for the higher purpose, that our products and solutions contribute to the development of society, that this in turn attracts even more potential employees.   

Skills supply is an ongoing process. The labor market and technological development are constantly changing, and it is therefore important that we at Tunstall regularly review our skills needs and actively work to ensure that we have the right skills in place.