Sponsored Content by Deloitte Consulting LLP

The future of virtually every business hinges on the interplay between technology and talent

The way we work has changed in an instant. In the past few months, we’ve all experienced it. Technological advancement and social transformations arrive swiftly and sometimes unexpectedly — making cloud savviness all the more crucial to business success. “I’ve been working in technology for 35 years,” said Myke Miller, Dean of Deloitte’s Cloud Institute, a curriculum devoted to sharpening participants’ cloud skills and business acumen. “This shift with the cloud is unlike anything else we’ve seen.” 

The future is rapidly arriving, and businesses must be agile and innovative enough to keep up. In just a matter of weeks, the way we work has made an unprecedented transition to remote processes — and companies with cloud capabilities are rising above the pack. It has become all the more apparent that one of the key paths forward for businesses to excel is to have a cloud-adept workforce who can apply those skills to enable their business to change to meet the latest demands. 

Innovating in the cloud is crucial for all industries

Image Credits: Getty Images

Cloud computing, and its relationship with advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), isn’t just for cutting edge tech companies. Innovating in the cloud allows for flexibility, growth, and the ability to harness AI/ML for enterprise solutions. Businesses can utilize the cloud for the precise amount of computing power they need at any given moment, scaling up efficiently when resources are in higher demand. Paired with effective AI/ML algorithms, which can be processed in the cloud, this flexibility becomes even more powerful. It creates possibility: Using cloud means doing more, creating more, and re-shaping customer experience.

This is relevant across all sectors of the economy. In the education sector, schools with remote learning processes have been able to adapt to new circumstances without major hurdles, while schools without the adequate technological resources are struggling to keep up. In retail, businesses with robust online operations have kept up, while those without an online presence have faltered. In healthcare, the technology is especially pertinent: AI systems, powered by the cloud, are able to route patients to their nearest COVID-19 testing centers with much greater efficiency than manpower alone.

For one state government, setting up a contact tracing protocol quickly was critical to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. By leveraging cloud products, Deloitte was able to establish a 600-person program in the span of just one week, saving lives in the process. From banking to public health, all industries stand to benefit from the power of the cloud. 

But cloud alone isn’t enough: Upskilling workers means unlocking potential

A robust cloud framework and technical tools are not enough on their own. Transformational change comes from having a workforce that is trained, talented, and able to think on their feet. Schools with cutting edge remote learning systems need teachers who are skilled in using those systems to successfully educate their students. The same concept applies across all industries. Underlying every successful business are the technological systems that are critical for employees to master, whether it is a hotel reservation system, a claims underwriting process, or a media distribution network. “Companies that don’t have cloud ability are losing out,” said Kate Kustermann Rivera, Cloud Capability Development Leader at Deloitte Consulting LLP. “It’s going to be imperative going forward that companies, clients, and customers are shifting to cloud-skilled workforces.” 

A capable, skilled workforce is the backbone of a successful business. As companies grow and implement cloud computing alongside AI/ML and other advanced technologies, it is important to ensure that employees’ skills progress in step. Providing employees with the adequate training not only gives both workers and the business an edge in the marketplace, but it also helps keep staff members challenged, satisfied, and more likely to stay and contribute to company growth. Agile, skilled teams help businesses master what the cloud makes possible. 

“We’re making technology skills relevant. It’s not just about how to use specific platforms,” Miller said. “It’s how you use them to solve very specific business problems.” 

Deloitte is training the workforce of the future

Image Credits: Deloitte Cloud Institute (opens in a new window)

Deloitte Cloud Institute is a first-of-its-kind program for training workers in the cloud skills they need to keep up and thrive in a rapidly shifting marketplace. Through dynamic programming, the institute strives to help people reach their highest potential, and in turn, to use that potential to achieve new possibilities in technologies, business operations, and markets.

To that end, Cloud Institute has a variety of pathways for technologists of various backgrounds — each with a curated curriculum geared towards long-term career advancement within any given industry or sector. Whether they come from an engineering or strategy role, or anything else in between, each learner is met with a customized applied learning approach that is exclusive to their needs and goals.

But it isn’t simply a curated learning experience that distinguishes the Cloud Institute from others who are investing in upskilling opportunities for workers: It’s how the program is organized. “We’re really thinking about this around personas and roles — and what we know is critical,” said Kustermann Rivera, citing the program’s unique, intentional pathways. “What are the essential skills underlying each of those roles?” By focusing on the details that help drive success, the Cloud Institute enhances learners’ existing skill sets while challenging them to imagine and realize the capability of cloud tech, improving the overall talent experience.

One way that success can be ensured is through cohort-based training. Learners collaborate on hands-on, team-based projects. “The idea that you’re going through it as a cohort creates an esprit de corps,” Miller said. Enrollees emerge from the program with the camaraderie of a graduating class and the confidence of being part of an elite association. On top of that, they gain a skilled network to tap.

Learning coaches add to the experience. The Cloud Institute helps learners navigate their chosen pathways with mentors and sponsors — guides they can continue to lean on for lasting career support. The dynamic, collaborative approach to learning not only provides the skills to boost workers’ cloud prowess, but also primes them for real-world business success for the years ahead.

Through the Cloud Institute, Deloitte’s people elevate their skills to a new level of capability that delivers what the cloud makes possible. It is a critical investment in the training journey for the workforce of the future. Whether you’re a business aiming to keep ahead of the curve, or a technologist with a craving to innovate, Deloitte is poised to help you transform.

This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte Network”), is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services.  Before making any decisions or taking any action that may affect your finances, or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte Network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication.
As used in this document, “Deloitte” means Deloitte Consulting LLP, a subsidiary of Deloitte LLP. Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of our legal structure. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting.
Copyright ©2020 Deloitte Development LLC.  All rights reserved

More TechCrunch

Tech enthusiasts and entrepreneurs, the clock is ticking! With just 72 hours remaining until the early-bird ticket deadline for TechCrunch Disrupt 2024, now is the time to secure your spot…

72 hours left of the Disrupt early-bird sale

Avendus, the top investment bank for venture deals in India, confirmed on Wednesday it is looking to raise up to $350 million for its new private equity fund.  The new…

Avendus, India’s top venture advisor, confirms it’s looking to raise a $350 million fund

China has closed a third state-backed investment fund to bolster its semiconductor industry and reduce reliance on other nations, both for using and for manufacturing wafers — prioritizing what is…

China’s $47B semiconductor fund puts chip sovereignty front and center

Apple’s annual list of what it considers the best and most innovative software available on its platform is turning its attention to the little guy.

Apple’s Design Awards nominees highlight indies and startups, largely ignore AI (except for Arc)

The spyware maker’s founder, Bryan Fleming, said pcTattletale is “out of business and completely done,” following a data breach.

Spyware maker pcTattletale says it’s ‘out of business’ and shuts down after data breach

AI models are always surprising us, not just in what they can do, but what they can’t, and why. An interesting new behavior is both superficial and revealing about these…

AI models have favorite numbers, because they think they’re people

On Friday, Pal Kovacs was listening to the long-awaited new album from rock and metal giants Bring Me The Horizon when he noticed a strange sound at the end of…

Rock band’s hidden hacking-themed website gets hacked

Jan Leike, a leading AI researcher who earlier this month resigned from OpenAI before publicly criticizing the company’s approach to AI safety, has joined OpenAI rival Anthropic to lead a…

Anthropic hires former OpenAI safety lead to head up new team

Welcome to TechCrunch Fintech! This week, we’re looking at the long-term implications of Synapse’s bankruptcy on the fintech sector, Majority’s impressive ARR milestone, and more!  To get a roundup of…

The demise of BaaS fintech Synapse could derail the funding prospects for other startups in the space

YouTube’s free Playables don’t directly challenge the app store model or break Apple’s rules. However, they do compete with the App Store’s free games.

YouTube’s free games catalog ‘Playables’ rolls out to all users

The tech layoff wave is still going strong in 2024. Following significant workforce reductions in 2022 and 2023, this year has already seen 60,000 job cuts across 254 companies, according…

A comprehensive list of 2024 tech layoffs

OpenAI has formed a new committee to oversee “critical” safety and security decisions related to the company’s projects and operations. But, in a move that’s sure to raise the ire…

OpenAI’s new safety committee is made up of all insiders

Time is running out for tech enthusiasts and entrepreneurs to secure their early-bird tickets for TechCrunch Disrupt 2024! With only four days left until the May 31 deadline, now is…

Early bird gets the savings — 4 days left for Disrupt sale

AI may not be up to the task of replacing Google Search just yet, but it can be useful in more specific contexts — including handling the drudgery that comes…

Skej’s AI meeting scheduling assistant works like adding an EA to your email

Faircado has built a browser extension that suggests pre-owned alternatives for ecommerce listings.

Faircado raises $3M to nudge people to buy pre-owned goods

Tumblr, the blogging site acquired twice, is launching its “Communities” feature in open beta, the Tumblr Labs division has announced. The feature offers a dedicated space for users to connect…

Tumblr launches its semi-private Communities in open beta

Remittances from workers in the U.S. to their families and friends in Latin America amounted to $155 billion in 2023. With such a huge opportunity, banks, money transfer companies, retailers,…

Félix Pago raises $15.5 million to help Latino workers send money home via WhatsApp

Google said today it’s adding new AI-powered features such as a writing assistant and a wallpaper creator and providing easy access to Gemini chatbot to its Chromebook Plus line of…

Google adds AI-powered features to Chromebook

The dynamic duo behind the Grammy Award–winning music group the Chainsmokers, Alex Pall and Drew Taggart, are set to bring their entrepreneurial expertise to TechCrunch Disrupt 2024. Known for their…

The Chainsmokers light up Disrupt 2024

The deal will give LumApps a big nest egg to make acquisitions and scale its business.

LumApps, the French ‘intranet super app,’ sells majority stake to Bridgepoint in a $650M deal

Nubank is taking its first tentative steps into the mobile network realm, as the NYSE-traded Brazilian neobank rolls out an eSIM (embedded SIM) service for travelers. The service will give…

More neobanks are becoming mobile networks — and Nubank wants a piece of the action

Infra.Market, an Indian startup that helps construction and real estate firms procure materials, has raised $50M from MARS Unicorn Fund.

MARS doubles down on India’s Infra.Market with new $50M investment

Small operations can lose customers by not offering financing, something the Berlin-based startup wants to change.

Cloover wants to speed solar adoption by helping installers finance new sales

India’s Adani Group is in discussions to venture into digital payments and e-commerce, according to a report.

Adani looks to battle Reliance, Walmart in India’s e-commerce, payments race, report says

Ledger, a French startup mostly known for its secure crypto hardware wallets, has started shipping new wallets nearly 18 months after announcing the latest Ledger Stax devices. The updated wallet…

Ledger starts shipping its high-end hardware crypto wallet

A data protection taskforce that’s spent over a year considering how the European Union’s data protection rulebook applies to OpenAI’s viral chatbot, ChatGPT, reported preliminary conclusions Friday. The top-line takeaway…

EU’s ChatGPT taskforce offers first look at detangling the AI chatbot’s privacy compliance

Here’s a shoutout to LatAm early-stage startup founders! We want YOU to apply for the Startup Battlefield 200 at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024. But you’d better hurry — time is running…

LatAm startups: Apply to Startup Battlefield 200

The countdown to early-bird savings for TechCrunch Disrupt, taking place October 28–30 in San Francisco, continues. You have just five days left to save up to $800 on the price…

5 days left to get your early-bird Disrupt passes

Venture investment into Spanish startups also held up quite well, with €2.2 billion raised across some 850 funding rounds.

Spanish startups reached €100 billion in aggregate value last year

James Khatiblou, the owner and CEO of Onyx Motorbikes, was watching his e-bike startup fall apart.  Onyx was being evicted from its warehouse in El Segundo, near Los Angeles. The…

Onyx Motorbikes was in trouble — and then its 37-year-old owner died