Improve your employee experience by keeping things simple

Process –> Success

When it comes to HR processes, simplicity is key. Today, many companies run multiple HR systems which all need to interlink and share data, and may require different log-in details. This kind of set-up can lead to lots of extra work and an employee experience that’s fragmented, at best.

We think that today’s evolving workforce deserves better. And many of you feel the same. Research suggests that 10 percent of companies have put a work simplification programme in place, and an additional 44 percent are in the middle of creating one. [1]

So why should things be any different in HR? If you can digitise or automate manual tasks like processing holiday requests, your business will become more efficient. And your team will have more time to spend on the important stuff, like recruiting top talent.

As more and more 21st century businesses turn to simplification, they’re also taking a leaf out of the 14th century playbook. That’s when William of Ockham came up with the principle of Occam’s razor, which states that the simplest solution is often the best. (Even the fact that Ockham’s name’s been simplified over time rather proves his point.)

Here are a few tips to help you embrace modern-day HR and the new culture of work:

Get your house in order

Your team works with a lot of data, so organisation is key. Once you have a watertight view of your current processes and documentation, you’ll benefit from greater visibility and efficiency. Your team will be happier too. And, when you’re ready to transform, you’ll be ready to go. Many organisations see recruitment and onboarding as easy wins, because cloud solutions can be easily added into the mix to make both jobs easier. But whichever areas you want to simplify first, getting your house in order is the first step to process success.

Document your processes (and keep them up to date)

Next up: make sure you continually document your processes. This is not only essential from a HR compliance point of view, but also from a GDPR perspective. In addition, it will help you immensely when your next audit rolls around and will give you easy access to the data you need, should you wish to pull a report or identify a trend. What’s more, it means your people will always know what they’re doing – and how, when, and why they’re doing it. Similarly, when you choose to migrate, you will find it easier to identify what information to take with you, and why it’s important.

Save time with mobile

Keen to improve efficiency at your workplace? It could be time to go mobile. Allowing employees to complete tasks on-the-go, wherever they are, means processes can keep moving, in real time. Not to mention the fact that you can send the right message to the right people in an instant. There’s a lot to be said about self-serve functionality too. By allowing people to quickly and easily finding the information they need, without having to put in a request with HR, you will save a lot of time and effort in the long run. Of course, your employees will appreciate the chance to keep things simple, too.

Go from “making do” to “making it work”

Perhaps your IT team has been patching apps together to get things done. Or you’ve had to make do with an array of home-built solutions. Whatever the case, simplifying your tech means choosing a system with modules that work together seamlessly. Take Dynamics 365 for Talent, for instance. It brings together up to 16 different solutions, making it easier for you to do more. From onboarding to performance to payroll, this kind of tech brings everything together in one place.

Andrea Winfield, UK HR Director for Microsoft, points out that workplace analytics can also be a major factor in forming new habits and “making it work”. She comments: “[They can help you] better understand where you’re spending your time, how much time you’re spending, who you’re spending that time with. That sort of insight can really lead to you making informed decisions around your personal productivity.” Moving from legacy platforms to a total, cloud-based solution definitely can spell HR success – and a lot less stress.

It’s time to build a simpler future. If you’re ready to get started, visit our website to learn how Dynamics 365 can streamline your processes, and help you find and keep the best talent.

Find out more about Dynamics 365 for Talent

[1] https://www2.deloitte.com/insights/us/en/focus/human-capital-trends/2015/work-simplification-human-capital-trends-2015.html