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new IBM Institute for Business Value ( IBV ) study revealed that a top challenge for many surveyed CEOs in the Middle East over the next few years is managing an ‘ anywhere ’ workforce . Additionally , many CEOs in the Middle East are prioritising technology , people and partnerships to position their companies for success post-COVID-19 pandemic .

The new IBV study polled CEOs from nearly 50 countries , including the United Arab Emirates , Saudi Arabia and Jordan in the Middle East .

Empowering employees in the hybrid workplace

IBM ’ s annual study found that more than half of CEOs surveyed in the Middle East reported empowering a remote workforce was a very or extremely important priority during 2020 .

IBM recommends that leaders consider carefully the longer-term challenge of a hybrid work environment , which can include things like providing employees with digital , cloud-enabled tools for collaboration , preventing employee burnout or sustaining company culture with focus on diversity and inclusion . that COVID-19 presented to them head on with new modes of working to ensure the safety of employees ,” said Hossam Seif El-Din , General Manager , IBM Middle East and Pakistan . “ While technology has made distance working a reality for employees across the world , we are seeing that managing a remote workforce is a challenge in itself .

“ We believe that utilising the right technologies and adopting more empathetic forms of leadership can help ensure a positive state of mind among employees and a thriving business .”

Scalable and flexible technology foundations

The IBV study also revealed that over 50 % of CEOs surveyed in the Middle East see technology factors and people skills as the most important external forces that will affect their business in the next few years , following the massive disruptions of 2020 .

Across the board , surveyed CEOs in the Middle East said cloud , AI , IoT and advanced analytics were top technologies that they believe can deliver benefits for their business .

Growing importance of partnerships

CEOs are also more focused on partnerships , according to the IBV study . Forty-six percent of CEOs surveyed in the Middle East said partnerships have become more important for driving business performance . Based on the results of this study , IBM ’ s thesis is that outperforming company CEOs globally are narrowing their focus to what they do best and relying on partners and ecosystems for access to broader ideas and innovation opportunities .

In addition , IBM notes that as many leaders increasingly see how their organisations can help address interconnected global issues like climate change , ecosystems may be able to play a pivotal role in driving lasting change .

The IBV study includes recommendations from IBM for how leaders can seize this moment to reset and focus on what may be essential for success : Choosing flexible and scalable technology platforms like an open hybrid cloud , investing in the holistic wellbeing of their people and partnering to win with an open innovation approach . x

In addition , over half of the CEOs surveyed in the Middle East report they will prioritise employee wellbeing even if it costs near-term profitability , reflecting that the surveyed leaders are heavily focused on their people in this moment .

“ Many business leaders across the Middle East have faced the challenge

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