10 Digital Skills Every Company Needs & How to Close the Skills Gap

You're hustling to grow your business. You're pouring your heart and soul into it. But deep down, you have this nagging feeling... are you falling behind?

Your competitors are crushing it on social media and reaching new customers every day.. They're using data to make smart decisions, automating their processes to save money and time.

Meanwhile, you're struggling to keep up. Your website needs a makeover. Those spreadsheets are giving you a headache. And you still don't really "get" TikTok.

Sound familiar? You're not alone.

Many companies, especially SMEs, are facing a digital skills gap.

What's a Digital Skills Gap?

A digital skills gap means your team lacks the tech-savviness needed to effectively navigate the digital landscape. The consequences? They're more severe than you might think:

• Missed opportunities: You're not reaching potential customers because your online presence is weak or non-existent.

• Wasting time, money and resources: You're stuck doing things manually when you could be automating those tasks.

• Losing ground to competitors: Your rivals are using data-driven strategies to outpace you in the market.

This guide will help you identify your company's digital skill gaps and provide practical solutions to build a future-ready team.

Warning Signs: Is Your Company Digitally Outdated?

• Your website is stuck in the past.

• Your social media presence is nonexistent (or just quite cringe).

• You're drowning in data, but you have no idea what to do with it.

• You're losing customers to companies that are more tech-savvy.

10 Digital Skills Your Company Needs 

Here are a few examples of how digital skills can transform your business.

Social media marketing

More than just posting pretty pictures, social media marketing is about connecting with your audience, building a community, and driving real business results.

Key skills: Creating engaging content, running targeted ad campaigns, understanding social media analytics, and community management.

Market research & analysis

Understanding your target audience, your competitors, and the market is essential for making smart business decisions.

Key skills: Using online tools to gather data, conduct surveys, analyse trends, and create insightful reports.

Lead generation & sales

It's not enough to just have a website or social media presence. You need to actively generate leads and convert them into paying customers.

Key skills: Email marketing, search engine optimisation (SEO), paid advertising, sales funnels, and customer relationship management (CRM).

Video content creator

Video is king! From educational content to product demos to behind-the-scenes glimpses of your company, video is a powerful way to engage your audience.

Key skills: Video scripting, filming, editing, and optimising for different platforms (like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram).

Dashboard development

Data is everywhere, but it's useless unless you can understand it. Dashboards help you visualise key metrics, track progress, and make data-driven decisions.

Key skills: Data analysis, data visualisation, spreadsheet proficiency (e.g., Excel or Google Sheets), and using dashboard tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).

User feedback analysis

What are your customers really saying about your product or service? Collecting and analyzing feedback is crucial for improvement and growth.

Key skills: Survey design, sentiment analysis, data interpretation, and customer service skills.

Website design & development

Your website is your online home. It needs to be user-friendly, visually appealing, and optimised to attract customers and drive sales.

Key skills: Web design principles, user experience (UX) design, front-end development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript), and search engine optimisation (SEO).

Event management

Online and offline events are a powerful way to create engaging experience to connect with your audience, build relationships, and generate leads.

Key skills: Event planning, marketing, logistics, using online event platforms, and social media promotion.

Workflow automation

Free up your team's time and boost efficiency by automating repetitive tasks and processes.

Key Skills: Understanding automation tools (e.g., Zapier, IFTTT), sales and marketing softwares, process mapping, and problem-solving.

Data cleaning & management 

Data is only useful if it's accurate and organised. Data cleaning and management ensures you can actually use your data to make informed decisions.

Key skills: Data cleaning, database management, spreadsheet skills, and attention to detail.

Internships: The Smart Way to Bridge the Digital Skills Gap

Now, you might be thinking, “Okay, I need these skills, but where do I find the people who have them and fit my budget?”

The answer: Interns!

Gen Z is the most digitally savvy generation yet. They’ve grown up immersed in technology, and they're eager to apply their skills in the real world.

Here's how internships can help:

• Access to latest skills: Interns often bring fresh, up-to-date knowledge in specific areas like social media marketing, graphic design, data analysis, AI or software development.

• Boost innovation: Interns bring fresh ideas and perspectives, helping you stay ahead of the curve and drive innovation.

• Cost-effective solution: Internships can be a more affordable way to address short-term needs or test out new roles before committing to a full-time hire.

• Mentorship & training opportunities: While interns gain valuable experience, you can mentor them, instill your company culture, and potentially develop them into future full-time employees.

Ready to Close Your Digital Skills Gap?

The digital revolution is here, and digital skills are no longer a "nice to have" – they're a must-have. So the question is: 

Will your company lead the charge or get left behind?

The future belongs to those who are willing to adapt, learn, and embrace new possibilities. By closing your digital skills gap, you're not just keeping up – you're building a company that's ready to innovate, grow, and lead the way.

Ready to get started? Download our FREE "Internship Project Ideas Template" and discover how Gen Z can help you thrive in the digital age!