Why are Digital Capabilities important?
While there are multiple reasons why digital capabilities are generally important, the priorities of these will look different for each individual and business.
It is important for you to identify what is important to you, your business and your staff. It is NOT one size fits all.
Business Benefits
There are some universal benefits that apply to businesses regardless of individual context, industry or location.
Individual Benefits
- Establishing a digital identity and extending your presence as an expert in your field.
- Career Enhancement & Employability – The more digitally capable you are & the more proficient you are with digital technologies, the greater your employability.
- Team work – Being able to communicate and work with colleagues across distances. The need for connectivity and collaboration is increasing.
- Connection, Community & Belonging – While professional communities of practice and engagement are professionally advantageous, connecting and sustaining your personal community is incredibly important for building your personal support network and family connection.
- Learning & Development – Digital platforms, resources and tools are offer both professional and personal possibilities for growth and development – value adding to our living experience and future possibilities.
Aspects of individual and business capabilities are interchangeable and transferable. Often, digital capabilities developed through a professional situation is able to be transferred to individual situations and vice versa.
Additional information – David Timis (Growth Engine Manager at Google), explains at a TEDx conference why digital literacy is so important.
Another interesting link is the University of Derby’s ‘The Importance of Digital Capabilities for Staff and Students in Higher Education‘