8 actions to take to get the best out of new HR tech
Here are eight tips to help you get the best out of new tech:
- Understand the problem you’re trying to solve
It’s important to have a clear objective in mind. Ask yourself, what problem are you trying to solve and is this tech the best solution for your organisation?
Action: Evaluate current processes and decide what tools could actually make a difference. Try not to get lured in based on ‘new’ and ‘exciting’. - Demonstrate the benefits
Despite advances in modern working practices that are supposed to save time, change our behaviour or give us better information, employees seem to be more stressed than ever. If you’re not careful, introducing new tech can add to this stress.
Action: Clearly demonstrate the benefits of new tech to your employees. Show them how it will change the way they work. - Don’t replace human contact, make it easier
92 per cent of millennials would like to work from home, so introducing technology that enables this is essential to attracting this generation. However, working remotely can leave employees with feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Action: Introducing communication tools, such as Slack or Skype, can help home workers feel connected to the office, and keep them engaged in your business. - Tech should fit employee behaviour
Smart phones have become an essential part of modern life. Many employees are given work phones by their employers and even those that don’t, often use their own phone for work-related tasks. Getting to grips with new apps has become second nature for many people.
Action: When looking for new tech, you should look for options that operate in a way that your employees will be familiar with. Employee health and wellbeing apps are growing in popularity because they are accessible and employees know how to use them. - Communication is key
Technology will only be successfully introduced if employees know why the change is happening and how it will benefit them. Getting that message across over the noise of everything else happening inside the average organisation can be tricky.
Action: Involve your internal communications team. They will know how to reach employees via various communication channels, and help to put a launch plan together. - Make the most of suppliers
Who knows the technology better than the company that built it? Use their expertise to help you understand the best way for your organisation to embrace it.
Action: Ask suppliers for supporting materials, case studies and time, to help you introduce your employees to their product in the best way possible. - Find influencers and share their ideas
The rise in popularity of websites like Trip Advisor, show the value of peer-to-peer recommendations. People trust and listen to their colleagues’ opinions.
Action: Find the influencers within your business and encourage them to champion new tech launches. They will share their experiences with other colleagues, and you can use their positive experiences to try and engage other employees with new tech. - It’s a journey, not a destination
The working environment is changing rapidly. Approaches and processes that are effective now won’t necessarily be fit for purpose in a few years’ time.
Action: Technology is constantly evolving, so to keep on top of your tech solutions, you need to regularly review how it works.
There’s no denying that technology is transforming the modern workplace. But it’s important to remember that your employees will only use tech that is relevant and benefits them. Keep in mind what problem your tech is designed to solve, and review whether it’s working on a regular basis.
This article is provided by BHSF.
