7 Ways for Businesses to Get Disciplined with Data
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.
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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