There are many technological advances that can speed up communication and enhance employee performance. The faster a worker is heard, the more productivity is possible. You may be familiar with a few of these technologies but unsure how to make them work for you.
Increase Collaboration with Cloud File Sharing
There are many choices in cloud file sharing such as OneDrive, Dropbox, and Google Docs. Cloud-based options are growing in all fields and businesses small and large. Collaboration is much more fluid between employees because organization is easier and more accessible than on a standard office network. They’re accessible from anywhere with an online connection and enable employees to see changes in real time, allowing for faster information transfer. With Google Docs, you can even view who is working on which project as it’s being completed. It also records which person or team made changes and when.
When workers realize that their contribution is monitored, they have incentive to be more proactive. It also allows managers to track and note who is the most dedicated and offer them recognition for their input and hard work.
Online Feedback
Annual employee reviews are too infrequent to keep a staff member engaged in the workplace. By the time a decision has been made on the review, usually the problem has passed and he or she has moved on to other projects. Online surveys and social media connections allow workers to resolve problems quickly. If a problem can be solved quickly and efficiently, the employee gains confidence in management.
You can also use online feedback to facilitate your “open door” policy. It allows the employee to come to any level of management directly for conflict resolution. Management will no longer have to wade through stacks of paperwork trying document every instance they must resolve. A person can send it to them directly for a quick response.
Gamification for Training
People have a natural inclination to compete with one another. With Gamification, you turn employee tasks into a points-and-reward system. Your focus with the “games” should be content mastery or training. The worker remains engaged during the training because they want to gain the next reward by completing tasks. Gamification speeds up productivity as well as motivating team members to move quickly to the next task. Many companies have a mobile app in which the user can log the task into an account. If employees feel they are rewarded directly for their efforts, they remain loyal to the enterprise.
Mobile Connection
It’s no secret that mobile devices are everywhere. 68% people in the US have a digital mobile device that they use daily. This is an avenue that few businesses have latched onto. In the digital age when information and connectivity are at your fingertips, it’s best to be a part of it. One option is to have a mobile app for Android and iPhone operating systems that gives the user a direct connection back to the office. The app could be used for scheduling, calling in, game participation, or company news notifications. It shows the employee that the company is only a tap away.
Technology brings your company into the new age of connections. It shows your team members that they are an important part of a whole network and any problems they may have can be noted immediately. When response times decrease, productivity increases because employees are engaged in their jobs. They want to work hard because they’re engaged. Think about what technologies you can use to improve your workforce today.
While ATS is passionate about time and attendance and excited to support organizations navigate workforce dynamics around timekeeping and employee time clocks, we recommend you reach out to your regional and/or local HR chapter for more information on common workplace advice and procedures.
