We know, it’s early, but having knowledge of important HR trends can be beneficial to your company, big or small. As the new year approaches, businesses will look to improve their HR processes and create an improved working environment to draw and retain top employees.


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Businesses Seek to Regain Positive HR Image

After several years of economic turmoil, many companies have cut HR costs by making tough decisions such as layoffs, benefit adjustments, and 401(k) matching reductions. As the storm begins to subside, companies will attempt to re-polish their image to retain valuable employees and attract new talent.

• Layoffs, Pay Cuts
• Improving Workplace
• Employee Retention


Green Initiatives Still on Hold

The recession has put a damper on the green initiatives of most industries for the past few years. Cash-strapped companies need to focus on the bottom line without having to worry if their copy toner produces the smallest carbon footprint.

• Automation Encouraged
• Exceptions - IT


Digital-Age Reality Sets-in

The desire to get an edge on the competition and attract new talent will push companies to offer flexible scheduling. These companies will take advantage of HR technology to automatically track employee’s hours while eliminating time and error issues. The result will be a laid back, desirable workplace which will increase employee morale and productivity.


• Flexible Scheduling
• Scheduling Study
• Employee Morale
• HR Automation
• Increase Productivity


Analysis via HR Metrics to Address Performance

In hopes to cut unnecessary costs, extra effort will be taken to finely tune business processes. HR analytic tools and job tracking software will turn wasted time and mistakes into increased productivity for these companies.


• HR Technology
• Analytic Tools
• Spot Negative Trends
• Job Tracking Automation Fuels Efficiency
         o Production Scheduling
         o Capacity Planning
         o Manufacturing Automation
         o Inventory Tracking
         o Machine Tracking
         o Workforce Management
         o Reporting


HR Technology Meets the Small Business

Technology increases and the need to be efficient will drive small businesses toward automated processes. Companies will switch out their manual processes for new HR technology, increasing productivity while saving time and money in costly mistakes.


• Increasing Technology, Efficiency
• Automating Processes
• No More Manual Recording
• Save Time and Money
• Integrate Time Clocks & HR Software


Increasing Efficiency of Business Processes
Moving forward, businesses large and small will start to see the benefits of business automation - and continue to optimize processes based on successes. Businesses will take action to automate their business processes to shave off time and unnecessary spending.

• What You Need, When it’s Needed
• Reducing Mistakes
• Job Tracking Software


HR Shared Services Gains Steam

Consolidating HR costs will allow businesses to save money when upgrading their HR systems.

• Consolidate HR Costs
• Automate Processes
• Save Money
• Benefits of HR Shared Services
        o Reduce HR Departmental Costs
        o Reduce Mistakes
        o Automate Processes
        o Increase Productivity
        o Save Time & Money
        o Increase Employee & Customer Satisfaction



Final Thoughts: Navigating Towards Automation, Efficiency, and Positive Growth

With the majority of 2011 in the rearview, 2012 will come as an opportunity to start working on positive growth. Companies will attempt to cushion the blow made by layoffs and pay cuts by improving working conditions and restoring salaries. Automation will be the key in improving HR, as well as operations and manufacturing systems.


• Build Efficient Processes
• Retaining Employees
• Increase Automation
• Acumen Software
• Jump On the Wagon Now


Read the free full version (no registration required) or contact Acumen today at 888-816-0933 to learn more.

Acumen Data Systems is a leading provider of employee time and attendance systems and software, as well as other workforce management and business automation software.