In our last post about mobile ERP solutions, we focused on their impact on business efficiency and agility. In this second post of our "Mobile ERP Solutions" series, we're going to focus on mobile ERP solutions from an ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) perspective.
There is no doubt that the business environment in which organizations operate was changed dramatically as a result of the pandemic. The constraints on person-to-person interaction, which is now thankfully in the rear-view mirror, did however bring the realization that remote working is not only a real possibility, but also something that accomplishes both the individual's personal goals as well as those of the organization.
From the organization’s perspective, hiring and retaining employees has become increasingly more difficult in recent years, so there is continued pressure to make the current workforce more effective and efficient. Layer an organization's ESG strategy onto this pre-existing pressure and the topic of remote work usually enters the conversation. This brings us to the employee's point of view, and more specifically the Millennial and Gen Z workforce. For this group of the workforce, the importance of work life balance has become more important than ever before. Both sides of the equation are, consciously or subconsciously, wrestling with the need to do, or get, more with less. Take a look at the table below:
It is untenable that today's ERP solutions achieve the above objectives. Through fully integrated workflows with one source of truth and real time reporting and analysis, organizations are well placed to deliver goods and services more consistently and at higher quality levels than ever seen before promoting best in class customer satisfaction.
ERP mobile solutions enable the organization and the workforce to be connected to the information that impacts the business in real time, regardless of location constraints (a perk for that group of the workforce who wants the flexibility of working remotely). A company's decision to integrate mobile devices into their ERP allows their team to react quickly to information and provide a competitive advantage versus competitors operating on a legacy desktop business solution.
Reacting to money markets, severe weather events, disruptions in supply chain due to industrial action or world events can be managed in real time. Mobile ERP allows immediate awareness so the best course of action can be taken to mitigate or capitalize on a volatile environment.
The ability to deliver the information and allow employees to interact wherever and whenever it is needed, without relying on a desktop, delivers on the employee's desire to balance their life without compromising the quality of the job they are employed to do. This benefits their own self worth by doing a good job and being part of their organization's success.
We mentioned Millennials specifically earlier in the post, and for good reason. Millennials currently represent 35% of the total US work force and are reputed to be the least engaged and the most likely to quit. Millennials should be a high priority whenever an organization is developing their ESG strategy. The leaders within our organizations are constantly challenged to look at their current talent strategy to see how it stacks up against the wants and needs of today's young workforce.
The good news is that if the organization can create an environment conducive to this workforce's requirements, the engagement level is a staggering 75% among millennials working remotely versus the national average of 35%.
Gallup's article, What Disruption Reveals About Engaging Millennial Employees, outlines the five variables that are widely regarded as contributing factors to the engagement of this large section of employees. Have a guess at one solution that can empower an employer to meet each of these factors. If you guessed a mobile ERP solution, you guessed right. Let's take a look.
Remote Work: 41% of millennials who work remotely are engaged versus 30% of on-site workers. Millennials desire flexibility and a greater work-life balance, and 75% of millennials who work off-site right now want to keep doing it. Millennials prioritize autonomy and freedom in how they structure their workdays, and remote work offers precisely that. The ability to customize their work environment, whether it's from the comfort of their home, a cozy café, or a co-working space, empowers millennials to optimize their productivity and well-being.
A Plan of Action: Utilizing mobile devices to communicate tasks from the ERP via workflows and personalized dashboards allows the employee to be aware of critical tasks and ensures that cross-functional business processes run efficiently. The integration of mobile technology enables cross-functional collaboration and coordination. Employees across departments can leverage mobile devices to collaborate on projects, share updates, and address issues in a timely manner. This seamless flow of information ensures that business processes remain interconnected and efficient, driving overall productivity and performance.
Preparation: 64% of remote millennial workers and 63% of non-remote workers who strongly agree with the statement "I feel well-prepared to do my job" are engaged. This reflects the importance of delivering through the mobile ERP the data, information, and tools which allow employees to do their job right. At the heart of effective preparation lies the seamless delivery of essential data, information, and tools through the mobile Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. By leveraging mobile technology, organizations can ensure that employees have access to the right information at the right time, regardless of their location or device. This accessibility empowers employees to make informed decisions, execute tasks efficiently, and drive meaningful outcomes.
Managers Provide Information: Workflows and dashboards with exception messages and clear and concise tasks and deadlines communicated to the employee via their mobile device ensures there is no ambiguity and that expectations are clear. Mobile applications ensure real time feedback on tasks directly to the employee not to a desk sitting in an office. It allows the employee to feel in control and provides a sense of achievement. Millennials need to be in the loop about their day-to-day work, their part in the organization, and how they contribute to both the company as well as their own personal performance through KPIs and reporting.
Well-being: 65% of remote millennial workers and 63% of non-remote millennial workers who strongly agree that "my organization cares about my overall wellbeing" are engaged. Employee self-service portals and the ability to deliver resources, data, and information to a personal electronic device is a key element in demonstrating the company’s commitment to the objective of engaged and informed employees. Furthermore, the ability to deliver relevant data and information directly to personal electronic devices enhances employees' sense of connection and engagement with their organization. Whether it's updates on company policies, important announcements, or training materials, employees can stay informed and engaged with the latest developments within the organization.
In wrapping up, mobile ERP solutions aren't just about business, they're about people. Not only do they provide incredible benefit from an operations and efficiency perspective, but also when considering an effective ESG strategy.
Remote work's here to stay, and with mobile devices, staying connected and in control is easier than ever. Managers play a big role too, keeping things clear and making sure deadlines are met.
But what really counts? Companies showing they care about their employees' well-being. By providing self-service portals and delivering info straight to personal devices, they're saying, "We've got your back." And that's what keeps employees happy, engaged, and ready to do their best work.
Are your employees happy, engaged, and ready to do their best work? Does your company need help achieving your ESG strategy with a mobile ERP solution? Connect with us through the form below, and one of our partners would be happy to discuss getting you headed in the right direction.
Dave Dyer is a RubinBrown Manager who specializes in financial strategy and ERP transformation. Keep up with him on LinkedIn.