Improving productivity through workforce management

As the workplace continues to get busier and busier, it’s critical to consider methods to improve efficiency. Today, we're exploring workforce management technology and how it can revolutionize productivity in the workplace. We'll break down this topic to help you understand this area, and the options for your business. Listen in as we cover:

• [0:43] What is workforce management technology
• [1:38] Using process automation to make things efficient
• [2:12] Improving communication and collaboration
• [3:38] How technology can help managers make better decisions
• [4:03] Workforce management technology & benefits to small businesses

This content is based on generally accepted HR practices, is advisory in nature, and does not constitute legal advice or other professional services. ADP does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy, reliability, and completeness of the content. Employers are encouraged to consult with legal counsel for advice regarding their organization's compliance with applicable laws. This content is current as of the published date. 

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Episode Transcript

Jim (00:00):
Welcome to HRpreneur.
I'm Jim Duffy.
From Main Street to Your Street, theHRpreneur podcast is centered around
helping small businesses like yoursgain the knowledge you seek, from
HR, payroll, and hiring, to time,taxes, benefits, and insurance.
Today, with our guest, Dan Hennes, we'reexploring what workforce management
technology is and how it can revolutionizeproductivity in the workplace.

(00:22):
We'll break down this topic to helpyou understand and implement these
practices in your own business.
Dan, thank you very much for joining us.
Thanks, Jim.
Really happy to be here today.
So, as background, Dan is the VicePresident of Product Management for
ADP's Workforce Management Product Suite.
Prior to this role, Dan hasworked in various positions
at ADP on the product side.

(00:43):
So, let's kick things off, Dan.
Would you please explain what workforcemanagement technology is and how
it contributes to productivity?

Dan (00:52):
Absolutely.
Workforce management technologyencompasses various tools employers
can use to save time and tooptimize employee performance.
We're talking about things liketimekeeping, employee scheduling, and
even time off and leave management.
Now these tools can help automateprocesses, facilitate easier
communication, and really providethose proactive insights that

(01:14):
are key for every business.
And some of the benefits for theusers are increased efficiency, having
information to make better decisions andfaster, And ultimately putting people in
a position to produce better outcomes.
According to a recent study by ADP,nine out of 10 organizations between 25
and 49 employees agree that having anautomated time solution can save managers

(01:37):
time.
So let's talk a littlebit more about automation.
How does the process automationmake things more efficient?
Sure, process automation reduces the administrative burden
by handling repetitive tasks.
Things like timekeeping, scheduling, andmanaging paid time off or PTO requests.
Businesses estimate that automating PTOrequests and approvals alone can save

(01:57):
managers around three hours a week.
Automation also helps flag things thatneed immediate attention, like correcting
a missed punch or approving a shift swap.
And by streamlining these workflows,administrators can spend more time
on their core responsibilities.

Jim (02:12):
So communication is vital in any business.
How can workforce managementtechnology make communication
and collaboration more efficient?

Dan (02:21):
Workforce management solutions are now more mobile friendly, allowing
managers and employees to have accessto the important information on their
mobile devices at any time, from anywhere.
And this ease of access keeps everyoneinformed and coordinated, especially
regarding schedules and task management.
It ensures the team remains productive,even when they're on the go.

(02:42):
And businesses have reported saving almostthree hours a week for managers by using
mobile devices for managerial tasks.

Jim (02:49):
So Dan, how can this increase in communication and
collaboration boost productivity?

Dan (02:54):
So let's look at scheduling.
For example, employees can communicatetheir availability in advance
before those schedules are made.
And then they can request shift swapsand even claim an open shift or drop
a shift using their mobile device.
And all the manager needs to dois approve those changes and the
schedule is updated automatically.
An automated scheduling system savesmanagers an average of four hours a week.

(03:16):
And having the right staff in the rightplace at the right time is crucial.
And improved communication aroundthose employee schedules helps
ensure the business is well staffedduring the peak times, without being
overstaffed during the slow periods.
Ultimately, it's about optimizing laborcosts while maximizing results, everything
from sales and customer satisfactionto safety and product quality.

Jim (03:39):
So Dan, how can this technology help managers make better decisions?

Dan (03:42):
Yeah.
So these systems offer proactiveinsights that help managers
make informed decisions.
For example, they can use overtime orabsence analytics to identify patterns
in employees performance and they canpinpoint operational inefficiencies.
And this foresight allows thebusinesses to address issues before
they escalate and maintain the higher
productivity levels.

Jim (04:03):
So, Dan, all of these things sound great for large businesses with many employees.
How can workforce management technologybenefit us in the small business space?

Dan (04:13):
Yeah, you're right, Jim.
Workforce management technologies can bevery sophisticated and scale to handle
the largest organizations in the world.
So, it's a common misconception thatonly large businesses can benefit.
In reality, businesses of all sizes cansee significant productivity improvements.
The key is choosing a solutionthat fits with your business needs.
So for a small business, that may bethe basics, such as timekeeping, which

(04:35):
is part of your payroll system withbasic PTO and schedule automation.
Or it may include more advancedscheduling tools and policy management.

Jim (04:45):
So Dan, thank you very much for these insights.
Great, great speaking with you today.
It's clear that workforce managementtechnology can be a game changer
for improving productivity forbusinesses, both large and small.
We greatly appreciate yousharing your expertise with us today.
So this brings us tothe end of this episode.
Thank you again, Dan, for joining us.
Presented by ADP, HRpreneur focuseson the entrepreneurs and business

(05:09):
drivers who are shaping the growthof their companies and positively
impacting the lives of their employees.
With each episode, we'll bring theexperts to you, answer your questions,
and help you think beyond today so youcan discover more success tomorrow.
As always, thanks forlistening to HRpreneur.
Be well, and we hopeyou'll join us again soon.