HR Digitalization: Modernizing HR for a Digital Present (And Future)

Your human resources department is a crucial part of your company, and has a major impact on the way it operates - so you need to make sure it’s well-equipped. That’s what HR digitalization is all about, and why it’s so important.

Let’s slow down though. What exactly is HR digitalization in the first place, and how is it connected to the process of modernizing your company?

Let’s get started with a quick definition to clear things up.
__________________________

What is digitalization?

On its own, the word ‘digitalization’ describes the process of switching over to digital tools instead of their analog counterparts. For example, if you’re planning to start automating tasks within your business, you’d be moving towards increased digitalization in your workflows.

You’ve probably also seen the term ‘’digitization’, but this doesn’t mean quite the same thing. Digitization essentially means taking something manual or analog and converting it into something digital.
​​​​​​​__________________________

What is HR digitalization?

In practice, digitalizing HR means making daily work life easier for everyone in that department. For example, you might implement automated tools that complete repetitive tasks so employees don’t need to, or choose other time-saving tools that help employees work as efficiently as possible.

However, it goes beyond that. HR is all about the human side of things when it comes to business. Your IT department might be the one that prepares and implements the tools needed for digitalization, but it’s up to HR to guide other departments’ employees through the practical reality of it.

In other words, HR models behaviors and work styles for the rest of the company.

So, if you digitalize HR, it’s easier to digitalize the whole company. Your HR department can then help everyone else overcome the challenges associated with digitalization.

                                                            _{Free to use image from Unsplash}

Why do you need HR digitalization?

Quite simply, you need HR digitalization to boost both employee satisfaction and your bottom line.

Of course, that’s a very broad overview. We’re going to look a little more closely and explore the top reasons why HR digitalization is an absolutely essential endeavor for your organization to undertake.

Future-proofing

Even with the most accurate predictive models in the world, it’s never possible to know exactly what’s coming in the future. That can leave your organization vulnerable - unless you’re well-prepared in every possible way.

That’s where HR digitalization comes in.

From online communications platforms that make it easier to communicate within and outside the company, to digital tools like PandaWaiver that make it easy to create and sign wavers, digitalization ensures you’re providing the best possible support for your HR team.

                                                              _{Free to use image from Pexels}

Even if there’s a sudden spike in workloads, digitalization can help your teams be ready to handle it, for example, thanks to the support they get from tools that provide automation. Speaking of which…

Using automation

When it’s used correctly, business process automation can be one of the most impactful aspects of your HR digitalization process.

Automated tools take care of repetitive tasks for your employees. They complete every workflow they’re assigned to the same high standard, saving humans time and effort that they can then expend elsewhere. For instance, HR no longer has to keep track of where every new job applicant is in the process and send out manual reminders. Instead, it can all take place automatically - leaving your team free to handle other aspects of the process.

Streamlining business processes

Automation isn’t the only way in which digitalization improves your HR department’s business processes and workflows.

A useful tool that’s adopted as part of your digitalization efforts might, for example, be software to schedule internal meetings, or organize company events, training sessions, and workshops. This brings an element of transparency to your business as all employees can see events and meetings at a glance. They will also be able to easily adapt and alter meetings, making teams more flexible too. 

It is fantastic for making your teams more efficient. Such tools save a huge amount of manual organization around the organization of meeting and events, while automation takes care of all the set-up, reminders, reschedules and even assignment of rooms and equipment. It’s a massive boost for productivity across the board.
​​​​​​​__________________________

The importance of modernizing HR

As the advantages above make clear, modernizing your HR department is an important part of a long term business plan. However, that’s not the only reason why modernization is important.

For one thing, you’ve got to make sure you’re staying ahead of the competition. The sooner you modernize your departments, the better your chances are of getting a leg up on competitors.

Additionally, modernized HR departments are absolutely necessary for meeting modern demands. An HR department that’s still using outdated tech - or, worse, doing everything by hand - can actually hold back the development and efficiency of your teams, create frustration among existing employees and even create bad first impressions that discourage potential new joiners.

                                                          _{Free to use image from Pexels}

There’s also the topic of scaling. It’s difficult to scale up your organization, particularly in periods of rapid growth and expansion, when the department in charge of bringing on new recruits is using archaic tools. 
​​​​​​​__________________________

HR digitalization best practices

Last of all, it’s time to think about how you can ensure you’re taking the best possible approach to HR digitalization. These best practices will guide you along the way.

Use the right tools

The success of your HR digitalization relies heavily on the tools you’re adopting. 

Before you properly kick off your digitalization efforts, take the time to carefully evaluate all the digital transformation tools you could be using. Are your choices the best ones for your needs? Are they addressing everything they need to, without creating new problems?

Extra consideration and testing of tools at this stage may slow things down initially, but is sure to pay off long term.

Check in with employees

The people that can give you the most valuable insight into whether your HR digitalization plan is working as intended are the ones that see its real-life effect every day.

In other words, involving employees in every stage of the digitization, and properly reviewing the feedback received, is a fantastic way to gauge the success of your digitalization strategy.

                                                            _{Free to use image from Unsplash}

Often, employees will flag things up that an outsider wouldn’t pick up on or pay attention to. For example, if your HR employees let you know they’d love it if you could automate a particular workflow, you’ll know exactly which processes are repetitive and time-consuming to them, and you can choose ideal solutions accordingly.
​​​​​​​__________________________

HR digitalization: the key to modernizing your HR

HR digitalization lets you take your HR to the next level.

That means optimizing the way your employees work, supporting them at every turn, and boosting your bottom line - all in the same transformative process. You can use the process of digitalization in your HR department to lead a business-wide transformation, which helps you keep up with modern demands and improve employee satisfaction.

At its heart, HR digitalization is future-proofing. It’s going to prepare your company for its present and future all in one.