Time is a terrible thing to waste!

Does this sound familiar? You’re trying to find ways to use technology to drive key benefits to employees, but you perception of employees is that they still use paper and pencils.  Heck, if they knew how to access their voicemail, that alone would be an earth-shattering event, right!  

But if you could just automate a few things, maybe like open enrollment, it would have a profound impact on HR and free up hours to invest elsehwere, like succession planning.  So what’s holding you back?

Here are a few suggestions to help you strategize your next move:

First, you need to agree that employees no longer need to have PC skills to be a technology savvy individual. Why? Mobile devices are taking over and your employees are no longer tied to a keyboard or mouse.

According to Cisco’s VNI Mobile report, the number of mobile-connected devices will exceed the number of people on earth by the end of 2012.

Gen Y employees are also extremely well versed on mobile devices and they want your benefits and assistance programs on-line. At some point they will question why the company is not doing it and that alone will create culture issues.

Second, if you think your blue-collar employees don’t have access to the Internet, think again.

According to ITU for 2010, over 77% of the US population has Internet usage. From 2007 to 2010, Internet usage has grown over 2% in regards to our total population. So this year, we’re likely to surpass 80% without blinking.

Third, you need to strategically plan out which initiatives could be moved first, to help drive adoption. Climbers don’t attempt to reach the summit of Mount Fuji from the base in single day, its impossible. You should look to move programs or initiatives that employees see value in, which will help drive their adoption. Maybe a wellness or recognition program, where they know it benefits them. This will help get the ball rolling down hill.

Finally, communicate with your employees. With effective communication, you can maintain a good human relation in the organization and you can also increase production with employee feedback and suggestions.

Now just imagine what other initiatives could follow just behind this one!  Take the first step and with the free time begin to tackle the larger issues, like succession planning.  Especially if you decided not to appreciate the employees you have!