The phrase digital transformation is representative of important technology improvements and changes implemented by successful companies and their employees. Each department will play its own important role in digital transformation that are uniquely impactful in effecting helpful digital solutions for maintaining competitiveness, competency, and sustainability.

Human resources is often considered the backbone to many company’s success, but recently this people-focused department has stepped further into the limelight with its contributions to digital transformation. Below, we’ll take a look at the important role HR plays technologically and why it’s so necessary.

Digital transformation impacts us all both personally and professionally. When digital transformation takes place, it’s essentially the process of updating and transforming standard techniques from “old school” to a more technologically advanced version. Some examples of digital transformation that you may be familiar with are:

• Paper Newspaper Coupons → Mobile Coupon Apps
• Pen-and-Ink Signatures → Electronic Signatures
• Paper Contracts → Digital PDF Documents
• Phone Orders → Online Orders
• Print Advertising → Online Advertising

So, while digital transformation is definitely the trend with businesses and products, what are the benefits exactly? While digital transformation efforts will look different in every industry and with every product and process, there are certain shared benefits that are experienced by most:

• Enhanced Customer Experience: The right digital changes can mean increased convenience for customers, faster response times, smaller waiting times, more flexibility, and overall increased customer satisfaction.
• Enhanced Employee Experience: Improved work satisfaction and company culture is essential for growth and success. Digital transformation that focuses on employee experiences can mean better performance, lower turnover, and more streamlined collaboration.
• Cost Savings: Traditional processes, such as physical printing and filing, can mean more expensive maintenance and overhead costs. By going digital, businesses often experience significant cost savings.
• Smoother Operations: Better adaptation, more cohesive and streamlined processes, fast tracked work completion – all of these and more are benefits experienced by businesses that use digital improvements to add important flexibility and customization to their daily operations.
• Better Scalability: Technology scalability is essential for businesses to compete today. Digital processes better support growth and change for businesses and employees due to their capability to enact updates quickly, remotely, and in a more budget-friendly manner.

Human resources departments are pivotal for successful digital transformations in companies. The hiring of the right candidates, support of employee needs, and fostering of a great company culture – all of these and more are essential for success. Today more than ever, HR teams have the opportunity to significantly and positively impact company initiatives, change, and growth.

Let’s take a look at a few use case examples of how HR technological advancements can effect important digital transformations for the entire company:

• Digital Documents and Electronic Signatures: By utilizing digital documents and electronic signatures, HR teams can hire and onboard new employees faster, distribute important documentation more efficiently, better manage employee benefits changes, and more.
• Employee Onboarding Software: Apps like Monday.com can help HR staff better manage and guide the new hire journey and ensure proper team and role orientation.
• AI Job Posting: For larger companies, automating processes like generating new job postings can make all the difference. AI post writing software and services take a lot of the guess work out of this task and ensure a more speedy recruiting process.
• Performance Analytics: With access to more comprehensive analytics, HR staff can provide better insight to staff and managers on performance; this can lead to lower turnover and better employee performance.