The Benefits of Effective Reporting and AnalysisIn last week’s blog, we took a look at five key things to look for in an automated solution, including the ability to execute flexible reports and analysis.

This week I’d like to elaborate on said capabilities because let’s face it; it’s next to impossible to do any sort of organized and consistent reporting with a manual process, and if you can, it’s likely to be time-consuming and ineffective!

Not to sound like a broken record but if you can’t easily report on results then why bother? Ask yourself this: when it comes down to crunch time and management wants to see results from this year’s appraisal process, and fast, what do you do?

Is that data readily available at your fingertips? Or do you have to go looking for it through a mound of paperwork? Do you dedicate multiple resources to pull it together and create the reports manually? That could days or even weeks!

An automated solution not only takes the stress and hassle out of this crucial step in the appraisal process, it also gives you the ability to effectively report and analyze your employee data both during and post-review time. Consider the following.

 

When it comes down to reporting and analysis, an automated system should:

• Come loaded with a selection of pre-defined, web-based reports as well as the ability to create flexible, ad hoc reports. Depending on the needs of your organization, you should have the option to select from a list or set-up your own reports in a way that is valuable to your business.
• Give you access to real-time reports that allow you to pull up-to-the-minute results and keep management informed on where people are in the process at all times (see example below).
• Allow you to save and export your reports in a variety of different formats (.pdf, excel, etc).
• Allow end users to automatically receive reports on a scheduled basis via email

 

Reporting and analysis can help you determine:

• Which managers have a tendency to rate either too high or too low
• Who your top performers and high potentials are
• How many people are contributing to the overall goals of the organization
• What they’re doing as individuals to support those goals
• Who is above and below average in terms of performance
• Results between divisions, departments and positions
• Year over year employee performance trends and rating changes

Overall, the power to report on performance review data will give you greater insight into your talent pool and the information you need to better your business, and help run a smoother, tighter ship!

For more information on analytical reporting click here.

 

The Benefits of Automating Employee ReviewsIf you’re an HR professional still going through a manual process come appraisal time, the idea of employee performance reviews may leave a sour taste in your mouth. Why? Simply put: a paper-based solution is no longer the logical solution.

There’s a reason why paper-based systems can have a bad rep and why even the mention of the word “review” may be followed by a whole lot of huffing and puffing from employees. If you’ve ever been a part of a tedious and inefficient manual appraisal process, then you probably know what I’m talking about.

… and I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be that way!

If you’re already using an automated solution, then kudos! But if you’re stuck under a mound of paper-work come performance review season, then maybe it’s time to take that process and throw it in the trash (literally). After all, in a world where everything is automatic, why should performance reviews be an exception?

An automated solution can transform the “dreaded” appraisal process into a manageable and even pleasantly positive experience. Here are a few things you may want to consider:

 

Paper-free equals hassle-free

Paper methods are usually time-consuming and vulnerable to human error. With an automated solution, long over are the days of lost appraisals, chasing down employees and manually tracking a paper process.

 

Time is money

Implementing an automated solution considerably reduces time spent executing an appraisal process from start to finish. The result? An increase in ROI and the ability to focus on other important HR deliverables. By automating a potentially labour intensive activity you’ll save yourself multiple headaches, increase productivity and become more efficient as a department.

 

Keep it central

Automating employee reviews helps make the process easier on everyone, HR management and employees included. A web-based system keeps everything in one central place, making it easy to track the review process as it moves along and ensure it remains on schedule.

 

Align and track goals

Use automated software to align employee goals to those of the organization and give them a clearer understanding of how their own goals fit into the company as a whole. Easily track the progress, and help grow, develop and retain existing talent through goal-setting.

 

If you are part of an evolving organization, a manual process may not cut it. An automated solution can open up the doors to a whole new world of possibilities; succession planning, 360 reviews, pay for performance… the list goes on (but let’s not get ahead of ourselves here, we’ll save those topics for later)!

With all of the possibilities an automated solution brings to you as an HR professional, we can’t find any reason not to automate.