Corporate Strategies Category Archives - General Assembly Blog

Data Skills 2024: What Financial Firms Need To Know

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Today, data is the key to decision-making, modernization, and competitive customer experiences. But without the right people to make sense of it all, this data can become increasingly fragmented and inaccessible — while valuable opportunities slip into the rearview mirror.

Data is only an asset when you have the right people in place who know how to use the data and democratize it across the business. That’s where we see opportunity meet impact.” 
– Angela Brennan, Global Lead Solutions Architect at General Assembly 

But where will you find the right data-savvy talent? In some cases, the answer is: within your own organization. As AI-driven tech makes roles like recordkeepers, data entry clerks, underwriters, and auditors redundant, upskilling and reskilling talent to data-adjacent roles is one powerful strategy for upleveling your capabilities, while preserving your company’s internal wellspring of knowledge and morale. 

That said, not every job opening can be filled internally. As new data roles emerge, you’ll need dependable pipelines for net-new talent that meets the evolving skill sets — and use case requirements — of the data tasks at hand.

To make these pivots quickly and effectively, you’ll need a clearer understanding of data’s growing role in the finance sector and the solutions that exist. 

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Software Engineering Skills 2024: What Financial Firms Need to Know

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If you’re a financial institution short of a few good software engineers, you’re not alone. 

Fueled by a pressing need for constant innovation, compliance adherence, and flexibility, over 90% of banks and insurers are in the midst of migrating their legacy systems to the cloud — up from 37% just three years ago.

At the same time, the scarcity of software engineering talent is deepening. Financial firms aren’t just competing with other organizations within the industry, but with virtually every industry — and not just here in the U.S., but the world over. 

You’re always going to be playing catch-up to some degree — and the challenge will always be: How do we evolve our skills, capabilities, and competencies to keep pace?” 
Ciaran Moloney, VP of Solutions at General Assembly  

So the question is: How do you fill open software engineer roles, future-proof their skills, and maintain a steady stream of talent to help your financial institution keep pace with its modernization goals?

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General Assembly Launches Suite of Upskilling Programs to Prepare Businesses for an AI-Driven Economy

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A man and woman co-working while taking an AI course.

As businesses embrace artificial intelligence, a new challenge looms: preparing the AI-ready workforces necessary to leverage this new technology — before their competitors do. 

It’s not going to be easy. In a fast-moving landscape, even the most tech-forward companies are scrambling to keep up — not to mention stumped on developing and deploying training for a technology that’s been accessible to the general public for just over a year. 

For instance, 70% of business leaders currently don’t believe their teams have the skills to effectively and safely use generative AI. And 59% agree that their organization lacks the tech talent to meet their digital transformation goals. 

What’s more, workers’ eagerness to build their AI skills far outstrips their skepticism. A survey by Adecco Group, our parent company, found that 62% of workers believe that AI will have a positive impact on their jobs — and that 67% of them expect their employers to help them learn how to use the technology.

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Unwrapping the Future: How Coding Bootcamps are Changing the Job Market

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individuals learning new skills at a coding bootcamp

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

‘Tis the season of giving. And the tech job market is feeling the spirit, thanks to the rise of coding bootcamps. 

Tech bootcamps are spreading joy by expanding access to quality and up-to-date tech skill training. The results?

  • The power to produce tech talent no longer lies primarily within traditional college walls.
  • An increase in the number of individuals able to enter the tech industry.
  • Hiring managers get access to a more diverse diverse pool of tech talent.  

Let’s look at how these coding bootcamps transform the job market one gift-wrapped course at a time.

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Leading Through Change: Why it Pays to Reskill & Redeploy Workers Instead of Laying Them Off

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A man and a women sitting at a tall table discussing the benefits of reskilling

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes


Layoffs have become an unsettling norm across industries. Companies that rapidly staffed up during the pandemic in response to surging demand are trimming staff as demand wanes. It’s a vicious cycle — many of these companies will be hiring again within the next year to keep up with a constantly shifting consumer landscape.  

Most recent layoffs have disproportionately affected non-technical employees, hitting departments like human resources, recruiting, and marketing hard. They’ve also had other ripple effects — shelving diversity initiative progress and causing anxiety throughout the workforce. And to add to it all, companies are still struggling to recruit for tech roles and continuing to invest in digital transformation efforts in hopes they’ll be more efficient and competitive in the future. A future that’s already here. 

TL;DR: There’s a severe imbalance in the labor force, and companies need to think about modernizing their workforce like they think about modernizing their tech. It’s time to move past the band-aid effect of layoffs and upgrade to a truly sustainable talent strategy. 

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4 Ways to Build a Data-Driven Culture

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Two men and a woman sit in a business lounge area having a discussion about making data-driven decisions.

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

What do ship captains and business leaders have in common? 

They both need to navigate through stormy and calm seas, constantly charting course across uncertain and hostile waters. While captains often turn to their maps, radars, and compasses, business leaders need to turn to their data.

Data helps you nail down the strategic plan for achieving your business objectives. Data keeps you on course. And data enables you to change course when needed. 

But here’s the thing — your business is a large vessel with multiple departments (like a large luxury liner) that must succeed in their respective journeys. One misstep in one department could affect your overall company journey. 

All departments must know how to handle their chief navigation equipment — data.

When data-driven decision-making becomes a company-wide practice, it positions your business for sustainable success. Data-driven companies are 58% more likely to exceed their revenue goals. 

So, how do you cultivate a culture where every department leverages data to succeed in their roles? And have everyone collectively steering your organization towards its goals? Let’s find out.

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How Businesses Can Practice Ethical AI

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A man and a women standing in a business lounge discussing upskilling and reskilling employees.

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

AI presents vast opportunities for innovation. But companies must also address the ethical concerns this rapidly emerging tech poses. This article examines how responsible innovators can implement ethical AI practices.


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5 Reasons Why T-shaped Employees Are The Future of Work and How They Offer Businesses a Competitive Edge

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GA Students in classroom working on laptops and writing on a whiteboard

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

The tech workforce of yesterday is not the workforce of today – and it certainly won’t be the workforce of tomorrow. 

Technology is evolving rapidly, and companies are struggling to keep up with the pace of digital transformation. Traditional college degrees aren’t evolving rapidly enough to equip entry-level employees with future-proof skills. Software engineers, developers and designers who joined the workforce ten or more years ago already have outdated skill sets. 

Many companies are turning to upskilling and reskilling programs to modernize their workforce. But one type of employee is pivotal to shoring up a company’s culture for the next wave of innovation: the T-shaped employee.

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Beyond Tomorrow: 5 Ways Business Leaders Can Prepare for the Future of AI

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GA Business leaders talk corporate strategies at a roundtable

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

What was once thought to be a flash in the plan is now transforming businesses across the globe. If there’s anything we’ve learned this year it’s that generative AI is here to stay—and it’s here to change everything about how we live and work.

According to an IBM report, 35% of businesses worldwide are already using AI—and within the next 10 to 20 years, virtually every business and government agency will, too. Many companies are already tapping AI in new and exciting ways, from customer service chatbots to copywriting and even diagnosing medical conditions. At the same time, AI has brought ethical questions around copyright, employment and bias to the forefront. Today’s business leaders must understand how to harness the potential of AI, and learn to address the challenges it presents. 

Most critically, companies need to prepare their workforces for a new world of work, where employees will collaborate closely with AI on a daily basis. As organizations race to adopt AI and gain a competitive edge, talent with AI skills are in high demand. According to some reports, they are landing salaries of $900k. Competing in this landscape can feel like it’s impossible. We’ve got you covered with strategies that will position your workforce for an AI-powered future. 

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6 Benefits of an AI-enabled Workforce and Why Foundational Tech Skills are the Way to Get There

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business leaders gather at a roundtable

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how work gets done. Emerging AI tech offers benefits that forward-thinking businesses should take advantage of. But, leveraging AI requires a skilled workforce. This article explores how foundational skills are critical to building an AI-enabled workforce and the benefits of doing so.

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