According to Ricoh, half of the UK's business leaders aren't yet fully equipped for the digital age. A recently commissioned poll shows that many aren't ready or have no plans for digital transformation, with only 17 percent of companies actually allowing their chief information officers to drive activity.

"The research insights show that the majority of UK businesses are still in the digital dark ages and are currently unprepared to drive digital transformation," states Paul Braham, director, IT Services and Professional Services, Ricoh UK. "During a time when much more technology-led change is anticipated, businesses will need to be able to adapt quickly to new client demands, economic conditions and to maintain a competitive advantage.

"To meet the challenges posed by this change, IT management should no longer be sidelined as a supporting role; instead CIOs must be further empowered to influence business models, client interaction and employee productivity," he continues.

The research showed that few CIOs have the power to change a digital strategy. With 'business-critical processes' being rated as the highest activity that impacts growth, combining expertise in technology with commercial acumen can change an organisation's traditional working methodology. As a result, businesses can become more productive and gain more than cost savings.