Effective use of technology is critical to the success of any business. Whether in production, sales or administration, technology helps businesses to run more smoothly. It also enables employees to leverage their time and ability, to make more informed decisions, and to implement strategies more quickly. 

This is especially true in the world of Human Resources, where the building of capable teams contributes mightily to the overall success of a company. To improve workplace productivity, make sure that you are making the most of the technology in the field of HR in each of the following ways.

1. Network and stay aware of talent available in the marketplace

Social and professional networking sites make it easier today than ever before to identify prospective candidates for positions within your company. Using sites like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram effectively, you can conduct thorough research into a prospective hire, check their CV, and get an idea of their personal character. If a highly-talented individual leaves their firm or starts looking for new opportunities, you can find out quickly and move to bring them on board. 

2. Measure aptitude and attitude in potential hires

During the interview process, you can use technology to test a candidate’s ability to perform various functions necessary to their prospective role. You can also use personality assessments to determine where and how they should be placed within the company or various teams. Using tests such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, you can get results that are more quantitative rather than subjective, so the information gleaned can be used objectively.

3. Track the productivity of various teams before and after the addition of new members

The implementation of proper technology within your firm will allow HR professionals to measure and track the productivity of the company as a whole, as well as various departments or teams across time. This way, they can see where capabilities may be lacking or new talent may be especially effective in boosting productivity. They can also compare the productivity of different teams within the business, given the personality and aptitude metrics associated with the members of each team. Many personnel and productivity management programs – designed specifically for HR professionals – report that the first upticks that they find after implementation of their solutions are in areas related to customer service. Where employees were more prone to slacking, they’re now motivated to stay on task and address customer issues that arise.

4. Measure the impact of certain traits on productivity of various teams

In HR, it’s easy to understand how certain personalities or skill sets may complement each other. It’s also commonly acknowledged that certain types of people will have more difficulty working together. As technology is implemented to measure the competence and personalities of new and existing employees, HR professionals can then watch over time to see how productivity is impacted by the addition or elimination of employees with certain traits. This will generate a store of knowledge, allowing those resource professionals to specifically seek or avoid specific traits in their future hiring. They will also be better able to rearrange existing company resources to optimise productivity without adding more employees.

5. Tie it all to budget

For a company owner or manager, this is perhaps most significant advantage offered by technology to the HR process. By effectively using technology, HR professionals can objectively measure the true cost of productivity. They can start with the cost of each employee, and begin to break down the relative cost of aptitude and attitude in each case. Going further, HR staff can measure the cost of teams given their relative output, in the same way manufacturing firms are able to determine the precise cost of each unit of output. These professionals can go on to determine which employees or teams are pulling their weight, where talent may give a boost to productivity, and whether it’s likely worth the expense. They can also determine whether rearranging company resources will be financially worthwhile. This ability to tie everything together and see how productivity affects the bottom line – and what changes will translate to better profits – is the ideal goal for Human Resources.

Human Resources is all about building effective, efficient teams to maximise company productivity. Professionals aim to leverage the skills and personalities of each individual team member, to make a whole company better than the sum of its individual parts. By utilising the right technology in the right ways, HR professionals can generate the most output from the resources available in the marketplace, ensuring that a company runs smoothly and efficiently.

The ability to improve productivity will lead to a satisfying workplace for your employees and expanded profits for company owners.

Written by: Una Lawlor

Source: HR Trend Institute

Interesting Links:

Post Views: 1354
Employee Experience