Integrating Technology Into Your Employee Framework
New technologies are sometimes seen as basic tools within the workplace - but at a certain point a given technology can evolve past basic use. Over time, technology can become so integrated within a business that it is transformed from basic tool into essential business practice. In cases such as this, when a company is lacking a certain piece of technology, it can significantly interfere with important business functions.
In an article entitled, "The Employee Experience Includes Technology," author Sharlyn Lauby explores the issue surrounding essential technologies in an employment context. She exemplifies the need for technology in a recruiting context by positing that a recruiter who does not have access to an applicant tracking system will not be able to effectively perform his or her job.
Prioritizing Technology
As technology becomes an increasingly crucial aspect within our personal lives, businesses need to prioritize the integration of technology into their employee frameworks. This should be a key priority for two reasons:
Businesses must keep pace with the world around them so as to attract and retain high-level talent.
Businesses that successfully integrate technology have a strikingly competitive edge over businesses that do not.
Seeking Areas That Could Benefit from Technology
Different business contexts require different technology types and different technology integration methods. From a human resources perspective, available technologies offer a wide array of methods for enhancing and perfecting practices related to:
Recruiting top talent
Hiring high quality candidates
Onboarding new hires
Maintaining employee performance standards
Providing key learning opportunities and educational initiatives to employees
Investing In Technology Initiatives
Businesses striving to be competitive in the current economic landscape must be vigilant about technological integration. Those that find technology to be too costly at present must begin implementing strategies for establishing a sufficient budget. Likewise, businesses with employees who may be lacking in necessary technological sophistication must put plans in place for empowering employees with the skills and knowledge needed for the adoption of essential technologies.
While a business might find it difficult to implement key technologies in the immediate future, establishing a solid plan for such implementation over time will put the company on the path to success. Other businesses might instead opt to prioritize technological implementation and integration over other business functions that hold less potential when compared to that offered by technology. Above all, it is important to bear in mind that companies that fail to adequately and properly integrate technology will increasingly struggle in the coming years. The current business climate necessitates the use of technology - and those that successfully establish technological frameworks will have a higher capacity to handle key business functions.
The insurance industry has already had to make some uncomfortable shifts. Businesses have downsized or closed, and claims against carriers are coming from every direction.
As so many made the transition overnight, being able to effectively move all operations from inside the same building into everyone’s homes has been difficult for both agencies and their employees.
The wrong environment can send the wrong message to both employees and clients, it can present a challenge when an owner doesn’t see the problem the employees are staring at every day.
