• As ‘Back to the Future’ turns 40, new research reveals three in five Scottish business leaders (60%) would tell themselves to focus on skills if they could go back in time

• Looking ahead, skills are also a future focus – with the same proportion (60%) of Scottish firms making them a key part of their future growth plans
• Companies will prioritise developing communication and collaboration (47%), sustainability-related skills (43%) and AI-related competencies (37%).

Scotland’s business leaders are channelling their inner Doc Brown – and they’ve got a message for their past selves: “Great Scott! Train your team!”

In a nod to Back to the Future’s 40^th birthday, Bank of Scotland’s Business Barometer shows 60% of Scotland’s bosses would go back in time to boost skills in their workforce. Nearly half (46%) would launch new products or services.

Look ahead to the future and the skills race is still on. The same proportion (60%) say upskilling is key to growth, with developing communication and collaboration (47%), sustainability-related skills (43%) and AI-related competencies (37%) top of their lists.

Martyn Kendrick, Scotland Director at Bank of Scotland Commercial Banking, said: “In Scotland, companies are drawing on past experience to shape their future plans, and putting a strong focus on building the right skills to drive new growth.

“Alongside ‘hard’ skills in areas like sustainability and AI, softer skills, like communication and collaboration, are seen as critical for long-term success.”