HCM technology may constantly change with new features, upgrades and innovations, but one truth remains constant: people will always be your organization’s greatest asset. Your people create the processes, drive the technology, and are a major source of ROI. Your people are the innovators, the problem-solvers, and the driving force behind every success story. Employees don’t just execute processes; they create them. Your people don’t just use technology; they drive its adoption, evolution, and effectiveness. Most importantly, they are the source of ideas, collaboration, and the competitive edge that sets businesses apart.
In the context of HCM technology, this truth becomes even more important. The right HCM tools empower your workforce by streamlining processes, enhancing communication, and providing real-time insights into employee engagement and satisfaction. When you place people at the center of your HCM strategy, businesses can create personalized experiences, improve productivity, and create a culture where employees feel valued and heard. Ultimately, it’s not just about adopting technology; it’s about using technology to support and amplify the impact of your greatest asset: your people.
Putting People First: Why Your Workforce Is Your Greatest Asset
While fair wages and generous benefits have always been essential, the modern workforce craves more. According to the Conference Board’s 2024 Job Satisfaction Survey, today’s employees seek purpose, belonging, and a workplace culture that values their contributions. They want to feel heard, supported, and empowered. Research consistently shows that organizations fostering positive employee experiences see higher engagement, better performance, and stronger loyalty. Alternatively, businesses that neglect their people risk stagnation, inefficiency, and high turnover. Simply put, the organizations that prioritize their workforce are the ones that thrive because people are not just resources; they are the foundation of growth, innovation, and long-term success.
The Case For Prioritizing People
For example, a 2024 Gallup meta-analysis covering data from more than 183,000 business units across 53 industries and 90 countries found that high-engagement organizations saw:
- Higher employee well-being
- Increased productivity
- Improved profitability and sales
Alternatively, disengaged employees are 18% less productive, leading to significant losses. Gallup estimates that low engagement costs businesses globally over $450 billion annually.
The Cost of Neglecting Your People
Companies that overlook the importance of engagement often experience:
- Inefficient resource allocation
- Poor company culture
- High turnover rates
- Decreased productivity
- Low employee satisfaction
It’s easy to see that investing in employee well-being and engagement is essential for organizations aiming to succeed.
How HCM Technology Bridges the Gap
HCM technology plays an important part in empowering employees and driving success. Combining your people’s power with your tech’s power can streamline processes, boost innovation, and improve employee satisfaction.
Here are some key HCM features that make a difference:
- Streamlined communication tools
- Data-driven insights for informed decision-making
- Recognition and rewards programs
- Continuous feedback systems
- Health and well-being support
- Self-service capabilities for employees
Certainly, when you use your HCM tech to prioritize people, you gain access to insightful data. This data lets you anticipate employee needs and create personalized experiences that boost engagement and performance.
Real-Life Examples: How Covalence Puts People First
We are experts at transforming HCM technology challenges into opportunities for growth and efficiency. Whether simplifying complex scheduling, building trust through accurate workforce management, or enhancing operational efficiency with integrations, our solutions are designed to put people first while driving real results. Here are a few examples of how we’ve empowered our clients across industries.
1. Retail Scheduling Simplified:
We recently helped a retail client migrate from manual scheduling to UKG Pro WFM. The client was scheduling employees in stores manually at each location using traditional methods and phone calls before migrating to UKG Pro WFM. After migration, our client could track scheduling targets against the labor budgets, something they did not know was possible and had been asking about for years. This migration also enabled employees to view schedules and manage time-off requests independently. The result? Reduced administrative burden, higher engagement, and better alignment with labor budgets.
2. Building Trust in Healthcare:
Our Healthcare client had many locations with unique unions and collective bargaining agreements, each with their own Vacation, Sick, and PTO plans. The managers spent multiple hours each week tracking time off manually outside the system as the requirements were too complex for the legacy system of record. This manual process led to mistakes. Our approach was to build out all required plans to CBA specifications for all locations and create auto-assignment rules to automatically put employees into the correct plans based on HR information in UKG Pro. Automating these processes built trust with the workforce while significantly reducing administrative errors.
3. Integrating for Efficiency:
Our non-profit client needed accurate, real-time cost center updates critical to their business. The issue was that these cost centers change frequently with new contracts, and reporting must be available for billing purposes, especially at quarter-end and year-end. The Covalence integrations team built two integrations to address this need: Inbound integration with the ERP to keep an up-to-date list of active cost centers and Outbound integration with the ERP to send back data on time-worked at each cost center. The new integration design reduced manual processes and employee turnover while increasing productivity and boosting employee satisfaction.
When you have a “people-first” HCM technology strategy, you can not deny the benefits. Prioritizing employees will lead to enhanced engagement and a stronger culture. This approach also translates to improved customer satisfaction, as motivated and happy employees are more likely to deliver exceptional service. Additionally, putting people first can strengthen an organization’s employer brand, making attracting top talent easier and reinforcing a positive reputation.
Put People First – Drive HCM Technology Results
Putting people first in your HCM tech strategy isn’t just a trend; it’s necessary for any organization looking to succeed. If you are unsure what goals to focus on for your HCM project, look to design it by putting “people first,” and it will point you in the best direction. The insights you will gain are otherwise challenging to define, so take advantage of it. Ultimately, you can improve efficiency, innovation, and long-term success by boosting engagement, leveraging HCM technology, and investing in your workforce. Ready to transform your workforce strategy? Contact us today to explore how we can help you harness the power of your people and technology to achieve your goals.