Time Data Systems – September 2021 Newsletter
SHRM 2021: Important Takeaways and What We Learned
Time Data Systems was fortunate to be part of the Arizona Chapter of SHRM’s (Society of Human Resource Managers) 2021 conference on August 24th – 27th. This was our first opportunity to connect with colleagues and customers in a “live” setting since 2019.
The conference included virtual and in-person sessions. SHRM proved to be an opportunity to learn and grow with great networking opportunities, as well as time to share our newest HR products, techniques, and services with a wider audience.
Breakout sessions and speakers covered a wide range of topics applicable to businesses of all sizes. We attended in order to be able to pass on to you the vital information that was shared to you!
A wealth of solutions was reinforced at the AZ SHRM 2021 Conference, and we even had the opportunity to dig deep into the greatest challenges faced by HR practitioners in businesses with limited resources. What we learned shored up how Time Data Systems approaches the concerns and needs of our clients, and we can also help you identify the greatest HR challenges in your small business and discuss practical, economical solutions.
Since going virtual in early 2020, many organizations have lost a sense of serendipity, group problem solving, and camaraderie. We learned a great deal about virtual collaboration – what is required to make it work, the barriers to doing it well, and high-leverage actions that leaders can take to develop a culture that fosters it. We can share techniques that have been used successfully to align teams, prioritize product offerings, and develop company cultures in real-time – all without in-person interaction.
During the pandemic, many companies were exposed for having poor offboarding procedures when having to reduce their workforce. Out of the rubble of what was the most challenging time for all, many employers have settled back into the “business as usual” mindset and bad behaviors. Let us help you focus on the importance of a company’s core values not ending once an employee has been identified for termination.
Remember, Time Data Systems offers a full range of fully integrated scheduling, timekeeping, payroll, and HR solutions. We are the experts when it comes to simplifying workforce management. You have questions, we have solutions. Please visit us at www.timedatasystems.com or call us at 800-350-2788.
2022 HR Trends / Predictions to Prepare for Now – Part 2
Modernizing HR with Newer, Smarter Technology
Technology has been used for years by almost every department in companies, but it seems like the capabilities it brings haven’t been used to its fullest potential by human resources just yet. That’s certainly understandable, considering the amount of personal and identifying information kept regarding job candidates and current staff members, as well as the sensitive nature of it.
Thankfully, these security concerns can be mitigated – for example, when using a human capital management solution from us. But there are more uses of technology on the horizon that will benefit HR professionals too! Here are three human resources tech predictions for 2022 to be aware of, prepare for, and consider adopting.
Get Ready for RPA, AI, and VR
Robotic process automation (RPA) can be summed up as software acting like robots within digital systems. RPA is based on rules that the programmer or user sets, which govern how repetitive tasks are done. For example, when onboarding a new employee, traditionally, much of their information needs to be entered electronically in multiple forms or software tools, and often many of the same fields are repeated in these various places – ‘entering’ this data is a breeze with RPA. Robotic process automation is already being used in other aspects of business, including supply chains, post-sales support, and routine maintenance. If “high volume” and “repetition” are words that can be used to describe tasks, chances are the department needing to get those things done would benefit from RPA, partly because it frees up staff for higher-level duties – and that goes double for HR!
With so many companies sharing their difficulties with finding and retaining workers as of late, there’s no better time than the present to add artificial intelligence (AI) to the human resources function. Recruiting using AI-enabled tools makes finding, evaluating, and screening prospective candidates and interviewees much faster and more efficient. Another timely benefit of HR using artificial intelligence in the hiring process is to streamline and make smoother the entire experience, which the candidate will notice and appreciate. This gives your business a way to stand out in this very difficult time to attract and keep talent.
In much the same way as AI, virtual reality (VR) is also beneficial in recruitment, but also for training as well. If a prospective worker needs to be able to perform a certain set of hands-on tasks, VR allows individuals to show their skills. Virtual reality is a safe environment in which to do so, additionally offering the knowledge that there will be no consequences to production schedules, quality, or other issues that could affect the bottom line of a business during mass candidate evaluation and even training periods. The safety and controlled environment of VR is also highly valued for onboarding and periods of instruction when an occupation is highly stressful or involves risk.
Let the Chatbots Handle It
Inevitably, new members of your company’s workforce will more than likely have the same several questions, and often not remember to ask them during the time set aside with your HR staff member to do so. While that’s really quite understandable due to the excitement of starting a new job and overwhelm at all of the information coming at them, imagine 20 or 50 or 100 people doing this. And it doesn’t just apply to new hires – changes in policies or company-observed days off, or benefit enrollment periods, or almost daily updates and changes due to conditions outside of your company, are just a few other examples where you might be faced with either the same questions coming at you or the need to disseminate this new information out to all of your employees. Chatbots can save you time and ensure the same information (when applicable) goes out to everyone, eliminating the possibility for confusion or error.
Just think of how many questions, updates, concerns, and more there were between HR and your workforce during each stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now think of how much time and effort could’ve been saved if you were using chatbots to address at least some of these (even just the standard, non-personalized information that needed to be shared). Like the previous technologies in this article, this option can help you automate repetition and focus on higher-level tasks.
Recruiting By SMS
A staggering 98% of text messages received are opened, which absolutely and handily beats email open rates, phone calls that are actually answered, and online ads meant to attract talent. This statistic makes it very clear why recruiting by SMS has grown during the past few years, and is predicted to continue to become more widespread in 2022 and beyond. Combine text messaging with AI and / or chatbots and you’ll be able to reach a lot more job candidates with much less effort and a higher, faster response rate than ever before. Also, you can use SMS to stay in touch and keep recipients engaged and interested.
To learn more about Millennials and Generation X workers, their effects on your staffing, and what’s important to them, read Part 1 of this series, The Shift to a Younger Labor Force & Changes It Will Bring.
Customer Service Week is Right Around the Corner!
Taking place during the first full week in October, Customer Service Week acknowledges employees and independent contractors who are the frontline of countless companies. We think it’s important to appreciate and value them every single day of the year, but according to the federally registered observances calendar, this year, these crucial members of the workforce are officially recognized from October 4th – 8th.
You might not even realize – either as a consumer or as a human resource professional – how often you interact with a staff member who is actually in the role of customer service representative, regardless of their title or job position. It’s pretty clear that when you initiate a call or online chat with a company that you are seeking a form of customer support, perhaps to place a new order or request product information, or in need of an update for an order or quote request you placed, or wanting to voice a concern or issue with a product you have received. If you really think about it though, almost every transaction or interaction involving another person outside of your family and friends during the course of your day probably has a customer service element.
During the first week in October, be sure to acknowledge and show appreciation for those who provide customer service, whether in your company or personal life (such as delivery drivers, baristas at your favorite coffee house, and the cashier who made it so the self-checkout register at the grocery store would allow you to continue scanning your items).
The fact is that this very large segment of the workforce is truly a vital component of keeping any company going. If you have unsatisfied, upset customers, they will share their experiences, and pretty soon, you’ll have fewer and fewer customers, making it very difficult for the company to thrive (much less survive, in some cases). Those who provide customer service are an integral component in an organization’s long-term survival and success.
