After COVID, Developers Really Are the New Kingmakers

Several years ago, pre-COVID, I wrote the article Developers are the New Kingmakers. Today, companies see the value of developers as being even greater.

Since the pandemic began, we've seen a renewed focus on digital transformation. Companies and industries are transforming two to three times faster than they were prior to COVID. Businesses have moved online and become more data-driven than ever before. This has created a demand for application development and data analytics skills.

The Big Divide

There's a big divide in the global economy between companies that are harnessing the power of data and those that are struggling to keep up. The companies that understand the value of data are able to make better decisions, create new products and services, and improve their operations. They're also able to attract and retain the best talent.

On the other hand, the companies that are falling behind are struggling to keep up with the pace of change. They're stuck in old ways of doing things and they're losing ground to their competitors.

Developers who work for these companies are key to bridging the divide. They have the skills and experience to help businesses make the most of their data. But only if they're given the chance. Too often, developers are overlooked or devalued by businesses that don't understand their potential. If we want to close the chasm in the global economy, we need to invest in developers and give them the opportunity to show what they can do.

Demand for Devs

Developers are in high demand because they have the skills that businesses need to succeed in the digital economy. Companies who understand the power that can be unleashed from the waves of data their businesses generate each and every second realize they need developers to create custom applications that turn data into insights and insights into action.

The most successful developers will be those who take a macro view of the applications they are creating and understand the business problems those applications are trying to solve. This gives them the opportunity to create solutions that drive ROI and bring business value to the company faster than ever before.

Developers are so in demand, that they are among the hardest workers to find and retain. The average salary for a developer in the United States is over $100,000 per year. And, developers are in high demand not just in the United States but all over the world as businesses increasingly move to a digital model. If you have the skillset to be a developer, now is a great time to enter this field. You will have your pick of jobs and can command a high salary. But, be warned - the work is not easy. Developers must be able to code and debug programs as well as have strong problem-solving skills.

Developers Today

Being a developer today is about more than just writing code. With the arrival of low-code and no-code development platforms, developers now have the means to create high-impact enterprise applications without a deep understanding of code.

This new breed of developers can quickly create new experiences for thousands of others, bringing their vision to life faster than ever before. However, these same platforms have also made it possible for business experts to develop their own applications, without the need for developers. As a result, developers must now be able to differentiate themselves from these non-technical users in order to remain relevant.

Soft skills are the new power skills for developers. Empathy, problem-solving skills, design thinking, and the ability to look at a situation from different perspectives are key. Those who are able to adapt and understand the latest technologies, and communicate and collaborate with others, will be well-positioned to succeed in this new era of application development.