While there are many factors at play in a firm’s ability to attract and retain talent, Ball says that technology can be a key differentiator in today’s talent landscape. Workers, now accustomed to user-friendly interfaces and instant access to information at any time, increasingly expect the same from the systems they use at work. “If they have an employer with outdated technology, they’ll just leave,” he says.
Effective, easy-to-use tools not only help workers stay put but also do their jobs better. “It’s very, very frustrating when an employee is out delivering a project and gets a once-a-month update on how profitable the project is,” says Cappello. “What can you do about it a month later, versus being able to course-correct in real time with the right tools?”
According to the Aberdeen report, top performers’ software is easier to use, their systems can better support changing needs, and their employees use the software more effectively to get the intended return on investment. Plus, top performers are more likely than other firms to give their people the ability to approve and reject plans on a mobile device.
Optimized Resource Management—A Performance Advantage
Aberdeen’s analysis is resoundingly clear: Best-in-class firms that optimize their resource management see a range of performance advantages—including greater improvements in customer satisfaction, employee retention, revenue, and profitability.
But even as they outpace their peers, these firms are actively looking for ways to improve. More granular skills matching, enhanced reporting capabilities, and the broader adoption of agile methodologies are just three areas of interest, the report notes.
That instinct for improvement underscores the new reality for professional and business services: To keep pace—and stay competitive—as the future unfolds, firms must embrace adaptability at their very core.
For more insights on how professional and business service firms can prepare for the future, read“Improving Business Agility Through Resource Optimization”orvisit our website.