Hello, I Must Be Going
Credit to Phil Collins for the title to this week’s Wednesday Words. Pictured, Johannesburg at Christmas 2017.
Somewhat fitting of the time of year where we start to wind down the current and look forward to the next. I thought it might be interesting to get on “paper” something that’s been running through my head recently. A little world travel, a little reflection and one “prediction” from the list for 2023. But above all a quick plug, make sure to check out SumTotal’s “Trends to Watch 2023: A Look Ahead at the Learning Industry.” I can guarantee some great insight there.
A few years ago, I was fortunate to travel to Johannesburg and Cape Town South Africa. As “Epic” as my most recent trip to Asia & Australia, I found myself in a country I never imagined I would ever visit. During my week in South Africa, I met with several clients to discuss their learning needs and challenges. One visit really stuck with me and has been on my mind of late. A Tech Company by nature, this client was in many respects the “Google” workplace of the future.
The headquarters were amazing. Open office concepts with light streaming in, an indoor putting green, foosball and ping pong tables on every floor. They had a coffee bar and mini food court all on premise for the employees. There was little left that hadn’t been considered for the latest “perks” back in the heyday of Tech. Of course, this was all intended to make the workplace highly sought after by young professionals, while also being a differentiator tied to keeping talent as well.
In pre-2020 days this was the type of Employee Experience that Executives thought would garner them the best and the brightest employees out there. And it seemed to work, up to a point. It was at this very site that I learned some interesting insight from employees back then that plays right into today’s “IT” prediction for 2023; Employee Experience. With just about every “toy” or enticement contained within the four walls of this corporate headquarters, the employees I met with were very critical of their Employee Experience, with their HR Systems!
It was interesting to hear from this group that enjoyed their benefits in the office, yet their main problem and issues lie with their burdensome and inefficient HR systems. In many instances lacking integration of logins, data and not intuitive to complete basic tasks. Mundane tasks consumed ridiculous amounts of time. Whether dealing with the basics of time entry, help tickets or submitting vacation, it seemed that their back-office HR was a nightmare.
Here’s the point where this all comes together and makes sense in the current day. I vividly recall asking the employees in the room, “is it fair to say that given all the perks here in the office, the fact that your HR Systems are so cumbersome might be more impactful to whether you stay or leave?” The answer was a resounding “Yes.” Their “Employee Experience” with the HR Systems was a major factor in their job satisfaction, in many ways more important than the “Perks” in the office. Keep in mind this was 2017! Now look where we are in 2022, for those that still come into an office.
With all the pundits, consortiums and Thought Leaders out there discussing “Employee Experience” in 2022 for 2023, it’s worth understanding that this is a very real thing for Employees. Particularly now where foosball tables and free snacks are meaningless. In the hybrid/remote world the main conduit for work IS the HR Tech. If it’s poor, it could be the equivalent of the monotone office laden with tiny cubicles and NO fun. Base line expectations for online experiences are so much more these days and getting by isn’t going to cut it anymore. With this being the last Wednesday Words for 2022, I wish you all a very Happy Holidays and the Happiest of New Years! I’ll see you in 2023 – I must be going 😉