Reading the 3rd edition SaaS For Dummies® brought me back to the days when browsing around Barnes & Noble was a popular pastime. I would always rely on the For Dummies books to get straightforward tips on relevant subjects. So, it’s fitting that with most retail bookstores now running their businesses in the cloud, I’m here to tell you about this latest For Dummies ebook and why it’s vital for HR professionals to have a good understanding of software as a service (SaaS).
Adapting is harder than it sounds
If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that leading businesses need their HR organizations to be resilient, adapt at a moment’s notice, and inform company strategy quickly. Chances are, the modern HR leader is part miracle worker, part leader, and part changemaker—responsible for growing the business while ensuring costs stay under control. Thankfully, the latest human capital management technology is the foundation to do this well and survive change, all with the latest emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and chatbots.
That said, Human Capital Management (HCM) is likely not the only SaaS app in your business (and yes, many of them have confusing acronyms too), especially if your company has supply chain, finance, marketing, or technology infrastructure needs. Having more background on SaaS for the enterprise can improve how you collaborate with these, gives you a clear picture of the business, and deepen your understanding of how you can use HCM.
In particular, I recommend the section on Unifying Finance and HR which addresses ongoing business challenges like business continuity, gaining visibility into talent needs, and being able to forecast the future.
Did you know?
There are new HCM trends and tools, like dedicated D&I analytics, being introduced all the time. If you’re not up to speed, dive into the chapter on finding and retaining top talent. You’ll learn how you can use these technologies to help your workforce adapt to ongoing industry transition, make information easier to access, and make payday easier. You can use the glossary to familiarize yourself with terms like “blockchain” and “augmented reality” that may sound intimidating but will be important in the future.
Be a smart shopper
If you’re starting to evaluate HR technology, it’s helpful to have a list of questions to ask potential cloud providers. For example, how often do they deliver updates, and how do they work? What about security including onboarding and offboarding employees? Dive into the chapter of questions to ask and get more familiar with making a business case that demonstrates how cloud can help you exceed employee and customer expectations.
You can download the ebook here. I hope you find the practical knowledge and tips helpful as you use SaaS to better manage your workforce, collaborate with other teams, and improve the employee experience.
Melissa Morgan
Previous Post