When HR Tools don’t get the job done

At Quincy CFO we often blog about the importance of having the right team and software tools to help get the job done. But what about the intersection of when you need a person because the tools just aren’t enough? Technology alone misses the mark, especially when it comes to the various pieces of your Human Resources functions.

Mark Stevenson of Smart HR wrote in March about this topic. “Tools and technology cannot replace the strategic thinking and human-centered insights that a real-live professional can bring to the table.  And that’s what HR is really about,” he said.   

As Mark explains, most tools are useful and affordable. The problem happens when leaders assume that HR technology products can replace the role of an HR professional.

Think about your company. You likely use, or could benefit from using, a number of HR tools. Tools such as online learning platforms, performance management systems, open enrollment and onboarding automation, and applicant tracking systems have made these tasks more efficient and paperless. But these software tools do not do all the work. You need to have a seasoned HR professional for them to be effective. This resource on your team is able to connect the dots, to look across the results from the tools, and take strategic steps to improve your company.

Here are some ways that an HR professional can do what technology cannot:

• Working with senior leadership to develop a strategic plan to address recent turnover.
• Determining if a candidate is a good cultural fit for your organization.
• Providing a trusted and consistent resource to screen applicants before and during the hiring process.
• Analyzing and overhauling your organization’s onboarding and separation plans.
• Understanding your employees’ needs and identifying a performance management system that will fit your culture.
• Developing a Leadership Program that fits with your company’s long term objectives.
• Sitting with employees to help make informed decisions about their benefit changes and options.

The list above is definitely not exhaustive, but hopefully highlights the value an HR professional can provide, in addition to tools. Finding the right mix of tools and talent to get your human resources work done can help an organization succeed and outperform others in its class.

If you want to talk to someone that understands the ins and outs of human resources and can help you determine what makes sense for your company, check out Smart HR www.smarthrinc.com.