For those behind the ball, catching up to the competition could be a heavy lift. Meanwhile other more tech savvy companies will soak up talent, profits and publicity. Understanding all of the different ways technology can be harnessed, including its growing number of HR applications, allows businesses to efficiently allocate their energy and resources to stay ahead of the field and maximize employee engagement.

Exactly how to do that, though, requires patience, research, experience and a concerted effort from every layer of an organization. Experts offer some advice on what to do and how to navigate the challenges technology brings.

Technology Can Improve Pivotal Engagement

Employee engagement is a major part of business success, and companies have tried just about everything to improve it. However, not every business knows how to measure the effectiveness of those endeavors, according to an article from the The Business Journals.

One strategy advocated by Peter Gossin, product marketing manager on the US Windows and Devices Team at Microsoft, is to ditch antiquated, “dust-collecting” office handouts like paperweights and pens and, instead, supply employees with affordable, branded technology like tablets.

Technology, he said, can keep you “connected to the things you care about.” He says one regional bank celebrated a milestone with branded tablets and Bluetooth keyboards presented in ornate packaging and loaded with custom content. The effort made the employees feel valued, he says.

Thoughtfully presented technology can boost to morale, but it may also be practical. Vacation company Royal Caribbean gave its employees technology that made it easier to communicate with their friends and family while they worked on long cruises. This proved effective for improving employee engagement and, as a result, some 40,000 employees will be getting new, branded tablets.

As Tech Changes, HR Faces New Challenges

The nature of HR is changing fast; too fast for some companies, according to an article from ITWeb. One challenge HR units must deal with is the increased scrutiny that comes with the additional transparency technology brings.

Sandra Swanepoel, MD at Sage HR & Payroll says employees are both ambitious and connected. Therefore expectations for HR are high, putting additional pressure on HR departments to perform. HR departments must be “flexible and focused,” she says.

In order to handle the myriad functions that HR is expected to execute, leadership must stay abreast of available technology, automate routine paperwork, and be agile when responding to the needs of employees and the business. The goal is to create a shared culture that engages the employees.

Technology As a Powerful Recruiting Tool

For startups, technology can be key in making the hiring process simple and effective, according to The Economic Times. Several companies are utilizing progressive technology to make hiring smarter and more efficient.

• EdGE Networks is using Natural Language Processing, a method that allows machines to understand language inputs, to help match candidates to openings 
• HackerRank ranks people based on coding merit and companies like Adobe, VMware, Facebook and Inmobi are already on its list. Now, HackerRank is planning to expand its services to match candidates to company culture
• Data-driven solution, Belong, matches companies and prospective employees based on social data like professional networks and online forums.