(Editor’s Note: Today’s post is courtesy of our friends at iCIMS, a leading provider of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) talent acquisition software solutions for growing businesses. iCIMS was honored for a second year as one of the best places to work in New Jersey. Let’s wish them congrats on their award. I hope you enjoy the post!)
Being able to work with technology isn’t solely about the software or hardware. Being proficient with technology is about effectively getting results. This means getting disciplined about business processes and data.
That was the big takeaway during iCIMS’ HR Hero Executive Briefing in Orlando. iCIMS is hosting events all over the country this year. You can find a complete list here. In Orlando, we heard Elizabeth Corey, director of global talent acquisition at Masonite, and Allison Chappelle, director of talent acquisition at Adecco, talk with iCIMS Chief Operating Officer Adam Feigenbaum about technology best practices.
The conversation wasn’t about how to use a piece of software. It was about creating a process that gave the business the necessary data at the precise moment it needed it. Feigenbaum reminded us that we can automate all the processes we want but “if you have a bad process to start, then you won’t get the results you’re looking for.”
Chappelle and Corey shared 7 best practices and lessons learned from their experiences with implementing a technology solution.
- Find a technology partner that shares your vision. There are lots of technology companies and lots of technology products. The key to success is finding the one that understands what you’re trying to accomplish. In this case, Masonite and Adecco were trying to reap the benefits of automation while still giving candidates an experience that made them feel special.
- Build processes that accommodate the future. This is an opportunity to streamline solutions. View recruiting as a holistic process not just applicant flow. Corey said it helped her company find a system that addressed both reactive hiring (i.e. running ads to fill open requisitions) and proactive hiring (i.e. searching for future talent).
- Incorporate design and branding elements in the solution. Chappelle noted that her hiring managers don’t realize they’re using iCIMS. “Our managers weren’t asking for a third-party technology solution. They wanted a good process. iCIMS gave us the technology and we branded it for our company.”
- Align the user experience to the strategy. Each person that uses technology doesn’t need to see the same things. When the user experience is customized, it changes the focus of the process. Prior to implementation, the focus was on the paper. After implementation, the focus was on the candidate.
- Manage change. Not everyone will adjust to technology at the same pace. Some will long for the “good old days” of paper. Training and patience are essential in adopting a new technology mindset. That’s something to keep in mind when thinking about making upgrades to existing systems. One user group could be totally ready for change while another is still getting the hang of things. Companies can work with their technology partner to introduce features at the right time.
- Don’t forget the reporting. Having a great system is important. But one of the reasons companies automate is to get data and reports. It’s to measure outcomes and share information. We’re talking everything from obligatory government compliance reports to organizational data used to prepare budgets.
- Regularly evaluate the process. Feigenbaum used the term “Frankensystem” to refer those situations where we’ve made a little change here and another change there so, over time, the technology solution is no longer optimized. Building time for evaluation into the regular maintenance will keep the system primed for producing results.
Corey and Chappelle shared the results of their efforts. Not only did they simplify the process, reduce paper and reduce the time it takes to fill positions within their companies. But they saved the company money – big money, to the tune of seven-figures annually.
Neither of these firms had systems in place prior to implementing the iCIMS solution. It’s an amazing case study of how creating a solid process and getting disciplined about data can yield strategic results for the business.
P.S. Mark your calendars for this Thursday, May 2 at 2p Eastern. I’m doing a webinar with iCIMS on “Measuring HR Effectiveness: 5 Easy Formulas that will Give You Big Results”. You can register for the webinar here. Hope you can join us for a conversation about metrics and business results.
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Tommy says
Just on the 5th point in particular, i think we need to start looking at how systems can utilise Agile project management techniques (I have no affiliation with Agile btw). Too much time and money is spent on scoping out and documenting requirements, with long implementation time frames which may or may not meet the requirements of the audience. Also, by releasing a version to a small group of users, this creates better advocacy, which is what any good change program does.
Sharlyn Lauby says
Hi Tommy. Thanks for the comment on project management. I agree – pilot groups can be very valuable.
HR Mole says
I think point number 6 is really important when setting up a system, getting the data entry exactly right from the start can save so much time later on and mean you can get great reports . As the old saying goes, rubbish in rubbish out!
James Swede says
Good tips – the one that always stands out for me, running a business with 25 staff, is managing change – inherently difficult to implement change and ensure that everyone buys in and complies, something we work harder and harder at in our business, always trying to use the carrot more than the stick.
Sharlyn Lauby says
Thanks so much for the comments! What’s so interesting about to-do lists is that something resonates with everyone. The tough part is remembering everything!
michael.goldberg says
Point 4 is the most valuable. you can have all the data in the world but if you cannot correlate that info with the Organizational strategy, its serves no point. Great article Sharlyn. Hope to see you again soon.
Karen Smith says
This has some very good tips. Our company work hard to manage our data on prospects and current customers. We use a full CRM system to monitor all our customer data including inbound leads and prospects. I agree data is very valuable to your business. We also monitor a number of metrics to ensure we can see where our business is at any given time.
Sharlyn Lauby says
@Michael – Hi! Thanks for the comment. Hope to see you soon.
@Karen – Thanks for sharing.