Technology as an Accelerator | Dola Mukherjee | Head – Human Resources | Exide Life Insurance
With artificial intelligence (AI), HR chatbot solutions, hiring assessments, mobile learning, 360 degree evaluation and much more on managing performance and feedback, HR technology and Automation projects have certainly been at the cusp of some unique and exciting developments over the last decade or so. It flourishes even today as Organizations made their way along the digital transformation journey aim at improving both operational efficiency and employee experience.
Interestingly, there also seems a need to prove ROI to business against cost and benefits in fundamental HR processes of attracting, retaining and engaging talent. Here lies the answer… With ‘Information’ continuing to be the most valuable asset to a business for decision making, why should Organizations shy away from an attempt to make things simpler and more manageable to usher in the wave of change!
Successful organizations think differently about the role of technology. We hear that large number of people related decisions at Google are based on data and analytics, including those for extending benefits on free food, time off, unlimited sick leaves and more beyond the ones for hiring and training. Tremendous amount of data-crunching happens behind the scenes on making such policies work at Google. All that data crunching to be done manually is unthinkable. Progressive organizations thus use Technology as accelerator of momentum, not a creator of it.
Born into technology, the Millennials contribute greatly to the entire employee lifecycle process going digital. Many companies today have jobs online, use remote assessments, track productivity metrics through software and communicate across geographies over audio-visual tools and more. Most of them expect a lot more than a steady pay check like opportunities to learn, mentor guidance, recognition, development, and improved service delivery. This has made HR leaders continuously work on competitive strategies to become and remain a top destination for talent, building the workforce of the future, managing an agile organization and retaining top employees.
In this age of mobile domination, where it has become a need and not desire anymore policies such as BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) are offering simple solutions to integrate with the necessary corporate tools for professional success. It becomes a win-win investment in the transformation journey.
Companies are now innovating and setting new standards. For instance, learning behaviour is recorded and integrated within existing learning management systems. It’s not just about running e-learning courses but also about tracking e-learning plans, goals, games, audio-visual content, eLearning on mobile applications and more, it is certainly weaving a fabric of change in how learning merges with performance data.
Technology is no longer seen as cost, it has already been labelled part of opportunity. Companies are looking at automation of routine tasks or job functions at which humans are not very efficient, inconsistent or exposed to risks. This will progressively change the dynamics of Human Resource Management in times to come.
In the post-COVID workplace, the employee experience would get redefined with heightened safety measures with social distancing, staggered hours of workplace while maintaining employee safety, Technology would play a key role to ensure productivity, agility and engagement and that will become differentiating factor in driving business results.