The benefits of new technology for managing a contingent
workforce can be exponential. These systems can provide a more streamlined way
to conduct daily business and free employees' time up for handling other
important tasks. They can save companies thousands of dollars, or more, after
their implementation. However, the technology isn't a magic bullet in and of
itself. Like any system, a workforce management solution is only as good as the
information entered. When establishing a workforce management system in your business
it is important to create a strategy to make the transition as smooth as
possible.
Think about it this way. If you want to lose weight you
might consider buying a treadmill. Simply owning the treadmill doesn't mean
that you'll lose any weight. You need to make a plan to run or walk on the
treadmill every day and include a healthy meal plan in your weight loss
strategy. The key factor here is to develop a strategy to use your tool or
technology to get the best results.
Here are a few key points for creating a plan to implement
your new workforce management system.
Vision
Before you decide on the right workforce management system
for your company you need to have a clear understanding of what you want to see
improve in your business. This is your vision. Talk with your service provider
to determine what things are most important to you and they should be able to customize
the system to provide you the results for which you are most interested.
Without a clear vision of the results you expect, the new technology will not
satisfy your goals.
Plan
Beyond your vision, it is also important to understand the
best way to roll out this new technology in your business. You can work with
your provider and your management team to determine the best implementation of
the system. You want to know how it will integrate with your current technology,
the best ways to train your employees to use it, and the best way to
demonstrate the benefits to your clients and contingent workforce. This will be
different for every company depending on the needs and vision. One of the best strategies for new technology implementation is to designate one project leader who is passionate about the change. The leader should also possess strong organizational skills to assist with the process.
New Technology
Businesses who adopt new technologies early on can become
trailblazers in the market place. Often users will want to treat the new
technology just like they did the old one but it is important to understand the
difference. A smart phone is not the same as a landline phone and using it for
only the function of making and receiving phone calls can limit the user
experience. When you realize your cell phone can also help you manage your calendar
and keep up with emails it opens a new world of possibilities. The same is true
for any new office technology.
Innovation
The last question that a new system should answer for you is
"how can this technology help me improve my business?" Your workforce
management system should provide your company with the right innovation to move
your organization to the next level. When developing your strategy, it is
important to understand exactly how your new system will improve your business.
There have been companies who have implemented new systems,
like our workforce management solution, who became frustrated with the product.
They felt that the system should simply begin working as soon as everything was
installed. Unfortunately, no technology can provide that level of service
without the customer understanding the uses and benefits of the new system. To
get the most out of a workforce management system there needs to be a strategy
in place.
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