Technology ensures that small businesses can have the same tools as larger competitors without the hefty prices. Whereas employers would traditionally hire multiple people to manage time or file paperwork, technology is available that can do all of that for you. These technologies enable small businesses to spend the budget on high intelligence tasks and developments that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise. Here are some ways that technology can help your business manage employees effectively with less effort than ever before.
1. Monitor Productivity
No employee wants their employer hovering over their shoulder throughout the workday, and no employer wants to hover. Technology eliminates the need for constant physical surveillance by providing data and feedback on employee performance in real-time. Employers can keep tabs on how many words are being typed in a Google sheet, how many hours are spent on social media, and what websites are visited that aren’t work-related so long as an employee is working on the business internet network. Measuring employee performance is no longer guesswork.
2. Manage Time
Measuring how long an employee works is just as important as determining what they were working on. Countless hours are wasted by employees or employers using approximate hours. Use employee time tracking software to ensure that you know how long your employees are working, down to the very minute. Pay your employees accordingly.
3. Increase Collaboration
Various kinds of software are available that will let your employees work together in real-time anywhere, so long as they have an internet connection. Use collaborative software to make sure that multiple copies of the same document aren’t floating around somewhere and to help employees know what work has been done on all parts of the project. Instead of creating four documents and then combining them in the end, create one continuous document.
4. Provide Feedback
Gone are the days of calling employees into the office to discuss feedback. Although that’s still totally acceptable, it’s not always convenient. Now, employers can post on messaging programs such as Slack and alert employees immediately of projects that need to be fixed or completed. Employers can make suggestions or thank employees at any given time during the workday, regardless of location.
5. Consider Remote Work
Again, the location is not as important in a digital workspace. Reduce employee turnover by offering the option for your employees to work remotely. Many employees would love to still work somewhere but can’t because they wanted to move closer to family or to a spouse’s job. Open up that opportunity by creating a remote position and then monitor employee performance to boost your peace of mind. Most employees should be able to work diligently, regardless of location, but you should always double check.
6. Stay Organized
Technology allows for improved organization within your business with reduced work. Of course, switching from print to digital can be time-consuming. However, once the switch has been made, filing important documents will simply require the click of a few buttons as opposed to hours’ worth of work. Ensure that your employees are storing all of their documents in the same place and that you will always have access to those documents, regardless of whether the employees are still around or not.
7. Avoid Social Media
Ensure that the employees who work for you are staying focused by implementing a social media ban. However, your employees will need to use social media for work, especially marketing or volunteer coordination. Make sure that the rules in your office about social media are clearly established because it is something that is easily misused.
Help your business succeed in an environment where competition is fierce by using technology and being technologically savvy. Your employees may or may not be but try and be at least on the same level as those your employing. The benefits of implementing technology in the workplace as an employer far outweigh the costs.
