The 5 imperatives of world-class HR transformation

2. Embrace digital transformation

"Cloud-based infrastructure and applications, virtual business and technology networks, and business analytics are coming together with rapidly transitioning employee and consumer bases, which are increasingly adept to new mobile technologies and business models. This convergence is creating tremendous new opportunities for HR organisations that can apply digital technologies to transform service delivery. Increasingly, this becomes the platform for delivering a whole new class of services, such as information and analytics to guide decisions. Moreover, electronically enabled processes reduce errors and make information easier to access, freeing HR staff for higher-value work.

"Technology spend per HR FTE in world-class organisations is 18% higher due to greater use of process automation. In some areas the difference between the world-class and peer groups is as high as 80%. This investment yields real productivity advantages: World-class HR can service 59% more employees per FTE. More important, a high use of automation allows HR staff to devote more time to talent related activities, such as improving the people management skills of leaders, increasing employee engagement, filling skill gaps, and developing and retaining high performers.

"The following steps can be taken to enable this change: