Welcome back to the Inov8 blog! Today, we're discussing an exciting concept that’s shaping the future of technology skills, particularly in data and cloud.

You may have heard of T-shaped skills before, but have you ever considered the idea of an inverted T of skills? Let’s explore what this means, especially in the context of our approach at Inov8, where being technology-agnostic and independent of specific partnerships is key to our strategy.

Understanding the Inverted T of Skills

Traditionally, the T-shaped model of skills has been a popular framework. The vertical bar represents deep expertise in a specific area, while the horizontal bar indicates a broader understanding across multiple domains. In today’s rapidly evolving tech landscape, an inverted T can = be even more relevant, especially for data and cloud professionals.

At Inov8, we develop and provide Data and Cloud Engineers, who are well-versed in a number of technology areas, with a deeper understanding and experience in their field of expertise. A T-shaped person is a common description of this type of professional. However, we prefer the inverted T-shape, as we believe it’s more about building on a broad set of skills and developing your specialisation(s) on top of that solid base.

For any architect, getting solid foundations is incredibly important, whether it’s buildings or technology solutions!

In the inverted T, the wide horizontal bar now represents a broad, comprehensive understanding across a range of technologies, platforms, and methodologies. This broad base could encompass a variety of skills, both technical and non-technical, like Data Science, business or sector knowledge, and cost optimisation. Meanwhile, the vertical bar still stands for deep expertise, but instead of anchoring in one specific area, this deep knowledge is built from a combination of specialisations.

For instance, in the field of Data Engineering, this might include cloud computing, coding, database management, big data, data modelling, problem-solving and/or sector knowledge. This approach reflects the need for tech professionals to not only be experts in a particular tool or platform but also to be agile, and able to navigate various technologies with ease.

The Power of Being Technology-Agnostic

At Inov8, we strongly believe in the benefits of remaining technology-agnostic. But what does this mean, and how does it tie into the inverted T of skills?

Being technology-agnostic means we don't tie ourselves, or our clients, to any single platform, provider, or tool. We believe that the best solution should be tailored to the unique needs of each project, not limited by the constraints of a specific technology stack. This flexibility allows us to leverage the full spectrum of available tools and services, selecting the ones that best align with our clients' goals, whilst giving consideration to their current digital landscape.

In the context of the inverted T, our broad expertise across various cloud platforms (like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud) and data technologies (from SQL databases to Machine Learning) enables us to recommend and implement the most effective solutions for our clients. This approach ensures that our clients benefit from the most suitable technology, rather than being locked into a single vendor.

Benefits of Not Being a Technology Partner

You might wonder, wouldn’t partnering with a technology provider offer benefits like exclusive tools, discounts, or specialised support? While these might sound appealing, we believe that not being a technology partner actually offers greater advantages for our clients.

Unbiased Advice

Without the constraints of a partnership, we’re free to offer truly unbiased advice. Our recommendations are driven solely by what’s best for our clients, not by any obligation to promote a particular vendor’s products, or monetising through billing programmes.

Flexibility and Innovation

Technology is constantly evolving, and being agnostic allows us to stay close to the cutting edge. We can quickly pivot to incorporate the latest advancements, without being held back by the limitations of a partnership agreement.

Customised Solutions

Every organisation is unique, and so are their technology needs. By not being tied to a single vendor, we can craft customised solutions that are perfectly aligned with each client’s current technology stack and/or specific requirements, whether it involves a hybrid cloud setup, a multi-cloud strategy, or something entirely different.

Cost Efficiency

Partnering with a single vendor can sometimes mean being forced to purchase tools or services that aren’t the best fit or are unnecessarily expensive. Our agnostic approach helps our clients avoid these pitfalls, ensuring they only pay for what they truly need.

The Challenge of Growing Specialist Knowledge

While the inverted T model is a powerful framework, growing that specialist knowledge can be challenging, especially in an ever-changing world of Data and Cloud. The rapid pace of technological advancements means that what’s cutting-edge today might be obsolete tomorrow. However, by embracing continuous learning and adaptability, our consultants can stay ahead of the curve, deepening their expertise in areas that matter most.

At Inov8, we focus on cultivating this balance. Our consultants are encouraged to build and broaden their base skills while continually refining their specialist knowledge. Each member of the team accrues a training day each month, which they can use to take time off a client’s site to deepen their knowledge on a skill, to learn a complimentary skill or something entirely new. This ensures they are not only well-equipped to handle the demands of current projects but are also prepared for future challenges.

The Future of Tech Skills

As technology continues to advance, the demand for professionals who can navigate a broad landscape of tools and platforms will only increase. The inverted T of skills reflects this reality, where being versatile and adaptable is as important as having deep technical knowledge.

At Inov8, we’re committed to developing these skills both within our team and in the solutions we deliver. By staying technology-agnostic, we ensure that our clients are always equipped with the best tools for their needs, now and in the future.

We often mention Developing Is Our Culture. Hopefully this blog has helped explain why!

Your next steps to Developing your People

If you are interested in developing the skills of your Data and Cloud teams and/or have a requirement for highly skilled and supported talent, then please get in touch using the details below -

Calum Mather (General Manager)

calum@inov8consulting.co.uk

07342 742 605