Reimagining Workforce Operations With Strategic Tech Adoption
Discover how businesses can benefit from partnering with vendors skilled in change management to fix operational inefficiencies.
Travis Shipley, chief commercial officer of Shiftboard, examines tech’s HR impact, stressing strategic use beyond digitization. Automated tools streamline, enhance efficiency, spur growth, and unveil new opportunities in workforce operations.
In an era where business and technology are inextricably linked, leaders recognize that technology’s value lies not just in its function but in its potential to redefine operations. It is crucial to be willing to reassess current business practices, analyze existing systems, and embrace transformative possibilities. Digitizing the status quo is not enough; the goal is to innovate and evolve beyond it. This is especially pertinent when considering technologies designed to optimize workforce operations.
To truly harness the potential of these technologies for workforce operations, organizations must take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Simply automating existing processes isn’t enough; while these solutions certainly streamline traditionally time-consuming tasks, there’s an often overlooked opportunity to reimagine and innovate outdated business practices during digital transformation initiatives.
Identifying and Optimizing Operational Inefficiencies
According to Gartner’s Where HR Will Focus in 2024 report, 66% of HR leaders believe their managers are overwhelmed by their growing job responsibilities, with 73% indicating that their leaders are not equipped to spearhead change in their organizations. This means that leaders are struggling to keep pace with their evolving and growing functions and have a dire need for tools, solutions, and vendors that empower them with the tools, solutions, and expert guidance to improve existing processes.
The first step in overcoming this challenge is evaluating and identifying what processes are eating up managers’ time and determining how they can be optimized.
For example, managers often encounter inefficiencies in manual scheduling and vacation bidding processes. Traditional methods of scheduling and managing employee leave can be time-consuming, error-prone, and susceptible to biases. Employees may struggle to communicate their availability effectively, leading to conflicts in scheduling. Additionally, manual processes often lack visibility and transparency, leading to potential frustration with employees and the internal dissolution of trust.
The growing presence of automated technology in workforce management offers solutions to these challenges by streamlining scheduling processes and providing advanced features for managing employee availability and preferences. To address this need, the workforce management software market is anticipated to experience $3.08 billion growth between 2023 and 2028.
The Benefits of Workforce Software In Scheduling
With automated employee scheduling software, team members can input their availability directly into the system, reducing errors and conflicts. Advanced algorithms can then analyze this data to generate optimal schedules that meet both business needs and employee preferences, minimizing the need for manual intervention.
Moreover, modern scheduling solutions often include shift bidding and swapping, which empower employees to take control of their schedules and make adjustments as needed. Utilizing such tools increases employee satisfaction and reduces the administrative burden on HR teams.
However, optimizing operational inefficiencies goes beyond just scheduling, and organizations should consider how technology can optimize other aspects of their HR operations. For instance, data analytics platforms can provide insights into workforce trends and performance metrics, enabling HR teams to make data-driven decisions about hiring, training, and resource allocation.
Today’s technology enables organizations to elevate existing HR processes by reimagining workflows and leveraging advanced features.
For example, configurable scheduling solutions with productivity software not only create staff schedules but also facilitate change management and digital transformation. Refining existing processes and leveraging modern technology allows business leaders and HR teams to enhance efficiency, drive innovation, and improve the employee experience.
By identifying and addressing operational inefficiencies through the strategic use of technology, organizations can unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation in HR operations and beyond. This proactive approach not only saves time and resources but also positions organizations for long-term success in today’s digital age.
See More: How Scheduling Tech Boosts Retention in Shift-Based Industries
Strategic Advancement Beyond Digitization
Simply implementing automated solutions like scheduling software won’t drive the results modern businesses are looking for. In fact, organizations that have invested in digital transformation have only captured 31% of the anticipated revenue lift and 25% of the expected cost savings.
Maximizing the impact of digital transformation requires a thoughtful approach to identifying pain points and inefficiencies with current practices or technologies. True digital transformation transcends technology and reshapes the fabric of an organization’s operational mindset, fostering a culture that embraces continuous improvement, agility, and innovation across all facets of the business.
Evaluating old business systems before implementing a new solution allows one to rethink the former approach and optimize it as much as possible before introducing automation. This strategy accelerates innovation even further and enables greater ROI from new solutions. When executed thoughtfully and strategically, digital transformation can pave the path toward effective and successful change management. It allows organizations to improve their efficiencies, foster growth, and see the ROI on their technology investments sooner.
Technology vendors can serve as a valuable partner in optimizing and improving processes. With flexible solutions and expertise in change management, the vendor of choice can help organizations rethink their workflows and utilize technology to drive meaningful improvements.
Modern automated technology has proven to be not just a tool but a transformative force with the potential to revolutionize HR operations and drive organizational success. Leveraging these tools thoughtfully and strategically enables companies to grow beyond the means of digital transformation, meet the evolving needs of the workforce, compete, and thrive in the ever-changing business landscape.
What productivity software have you adopted in your workplace to solve scheduling issues? Let us know on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn . We’d love to hear from you!
This article was first published in spiceworks.com.
By Travis Shipley
Travis Shipley is the Chief Commercial Officer at Shiftboard, where he spearheads the company’s commercial strategy, ensuring organizational alignment across the entire customer journey. From business development and sales to implementation and ongoing customer support, his leadership ensures Shiftboard’s offerings meet the evolving needs of both new and current customers, driving worldwide revenue and cultivating enduring customer relationships. Connect with Travis on LinkedIn.
