Anyone who works in human resources knows the challenges that come with hiring and training personnel. The good news is that digital tech is taking away a lot of the stress associated with organizing the many details involved in HR.
According to research from Deloitte University, “Mobile and other technologies could allow HR leaders to revolutionize the employee experience through new digital platforms, apps, and ways of delivering HR services.”
Human resources has traditionally lagged behind other departments when it comes to technological innovation. Recent research shows that despite the ubiquity of smartphone use, very few companies have mobile-friendly HR solutions.
It used to be people perceived mobile devices as being solely for personal use. But the lines between our business and personal lives have become blurred. Now the majority of employees prefer to conduct their work responsibilities on mobile.
Companies that recognize which way the wind is blowing are moving to mobile, as well as to the cloud. By doing so, those businesses are streamlining their procedures and becoming more efficient in their daily operations.
Yet only 9% of companies are truly prepared to make the transition to digital, and only 38% even believe that digital tech is important.
Small Businesses Profit Enormously from Digital
This lack of innovation is unfortunate because digital tech actually makes competition fairer among businesses of various sizes. One study found that smaller companies that had gone digital actually had an advantage over larger ones.
For example, beauty company Living Proof made this shift in order to compete with well-known beauty brands. Every area of its business, including human resources, moved to the cloud. As a result, the company drastically increased both its revenue and its product portfolio.
What Can You Do?
To make the most of these developments in your company, Deloitte University researchers recommend you make sure you have a progressive mentality. Your HR strategies should originate from a digital mindset. While transitioning to digital can be intimidating, it is necessary and extremely beneficial in the end.
It is important that as you implement new technologies, you listen to the needs of your employees and apply design thinking. Also, departments company-wide need to learn from and help each other as they undergo this transition.
HR departments should leverage employee smartphone use by automating processes and carrying them out in real time. Digital tech allows HR departments to analyze and collect data in real time as well, rather than having to gather it after the fact.
Allay Provides Advanced HR Software
Allay is one type of HR software that is making it easier for small businesses to transition their HR departments to digital. The solution helps you simplify your management of the massive amount of employee data that you need to gather. The software is free, allows you to automate your tasks, and helps you keep up with details by providing alerts and reminders.
Your employees can self-serve by inputting their own information. This info could include training documents, W-4s, or licenses. This ability is extremely valuable because your data will fluctuate as you onboard and offboard employees, update their time off, or track where they are in their training.
In addition, Allay enables you to manage company health plans from one central location. Employees can access, choose, and sign up for all the health care options they might need. The HR solution even provides advisors to assist you in choosing health plans should you need new ones or should you want to start offering benefits for the first time. These advisors can also help you with any aspect of your account.
Allay’s software is conveniently and securely based in the cloud. Employees can update their information from any location, providing legally valid online signatures. Allay also provides payroll support and is ACA compliant.
There’s No Reason to Wait
There are many advantages to letting go of your spreadsheets and moving to the cloud. Digital tech streamlines your procedures and gives you a big-picture view of your company.
Getting a broad overview enables you to evaluate information more efficiently and save the valuable time of both you and your employees. Moreover, small businesses can put themselves in the position of being highly competitive with larger ones. Given its benefits, there is no reason not to move your human resources department to digital as soon as possible.