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2021 Predictions: A New Type of Communication Technology and the Changing Role of a Developer

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Click to learn more about author Christine Spang.

2021 — we made it! 2020 brought us some hiccups, but the new year means a new time to reflect on what we learned as an industry. 2020, no doubt, taught us a lot. Two things specifically stick out to me: Our communication methods have changed as in-person meetings are replaced by (another) Zoom call, and the talent pool has broadened tremendously. You don’t have to live in a specific city to work there anymore. More and more, companies are turning to a remote-first workplace — if not forever, then definitely for the foreseeable future. This gives them and potential candidates endless opportunities.

So, how can companies prepare for these changes? Here are four trends I foresee impacting the communications industry and workforce talent pool.

Communication Methods Will Adjust to Where the Customers Are

Over the past five years, there has been an explosion of communication platforms like Twitter and Slack. We have seen certain channels like SMS messaging shrink while, surprisingly to some, email is growing as a primary form of communication technology. In the next year, we will see companies in the communications API industry expand their footprint to accommodate this abundance of platforms to meet consumers where they are. In doing so, they will provide communication methods in one unified place to seamlessly reach consumers across all channels.

New Tools Will Be Developed for In-Person-Esque Experiences

Due to the increase in remote work, there is a driving demand for tools that promote both internal and external communication without the need for a full-fledged Zoom meeting. We’re all tired of jumping on a Zoom line for a two-minute conversation, so these new tools will allow the free-flowing, ambient communication of in-person interactions in a virtual fashion. Companies will start integrating these tools into their scheduling or communication platforms in order to provide seamless collaboration.

Every Department Will Hire a Developer

As we become more and more reliant on digital services across the business landscape, we will see more developer-like tasks integrated into job roles across all departments. People who didn’t think of themselves as developers are now in a position where they must essentially build software to accomplish their job. For example, marketing teams are now optimizing ad spend and developing websites. At the core, these tasks are the simplest form of software development. As a result, we are going to see developers embedded throughout teams to support growing digital needs rather than being confined to the IT department.

The Developer Talent Pool Will Expand

With remote work becoming the new norm, the developer job market will expand. Whereas top tech talent has been geographically tied to Silicon Valley and surrounding tech communities in the past, companies will now have access to talent across the country and even the globe. It will become easier to recruit talent outside of their typical boundaries to create a more economically, culturally, and educationally diverse developer workforce.

2021 is ripe for new opportunities. As leaders, it’s our responsibility to listen to what’s going on around us, what our employees need, and how we can attract — and retain — valuable talent. Those who do so will remain ahead of the curve in this digital-first environment for 2021 and beyond.

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