The transport and logistics industries are investing in technology, infrastructure, and systems to keep up with growing demands. But it’s equally important to pay attention to the human capital that will be driving and implementing these changes, says Daniel Wyner of ReadyTech Workforce Solutions.
While the transport and logistics industries are investing in technology, infrastructure, and systems to keep up the pace with growing demands; and using robotics to improve processes and efficiencies – the “same attention needs to be paid to the human capital that will drive and implement these changes moving forward” says Daniel Wyner, Chief Executive at ReadyTech Workforce Solutions.
“As COVID-19 has taught us over the past few years, the people behind the work – the workforce – are an indispensable asset,” says Daniel. “Investment in the quality and qualifications of employees will build the successful foundation of any transport and logistics operation.”
But it isn’t only the pandemic that has pressed the reality of the workforce’s importance down upon us. The combined pressures of an ageing population, skills shortages, and the rise of e-commerce have made it more important than ever to develop a stronger workforce.
“According to a recent PWC report, 50 per cent of executives in logistics believe that the biggest barrier to digital adoption in a business is the lack of digital culture and training,” says Daniel.
It’s not only about attracting the right people to your company, and filling job roles quickly and efficiently – but also about developing the right people correctly for the future of the business.
ADDRESSING THE TALENT GAP
Daniel says there are several strategies that companies ought to be adopting to tackle the ‘talent gap’ issue in supply chain and logistics.
Firstly, he says, companies should hire in skills that are missing and ensure a focused internal training program, led by people who do have the missing, new, or shifting skill sets. This should be bolstered by an approach that proactively seeks out those who want to shift career roles internally– and putting in place the means by which such transitions can be facilitated.
Secondly, attracting the next generation of workers in logistics and transport is paramount. Younger generations don’t necessarily find transport and logistics a glamorous space to work in. That perception needs to be changed from the inside out: adopting the right technologies, building the right culture, flexible workplaces and attracting the right people and – therefore – changing perceptions of the industry.
“Apprentice programs can be a great start to training and moulding young talent.” Future generations aren’t just concerned with salary and career, they also look for companies with strong values they align with.
“It’s important to build a community that empowers employees to access education and information – and that can be done with the help of technology,” says Daniel.
RECRUITMENT AND ONBOARDING
Recruitment is a skillset in and of itself, Daniel says, and while some companie have the luxury of a centralised recruitment system, if your company does not, then it needs tools and technology that can assist.
“It’s all about having the right systems in place to support the people doing the recruiting,” he says. Fast recruitment is what will make you stand out and prevent your ideal workers being hired by a competitor first.
Many a time, Daniel notes, people aren’t just applying for one company, but applying for several at the same time.
“The businesses that can get back to the candidate the quickest, interview them, and get them onboarded, are going to have an edge over other companies – which is especially important now with the skills shortage crisis.”
So, what are the ReadyTech technologies that can help in this capacity?
READY employ by phoenix
Recently, ReadyTech acquired Ready Employ, formerly called PhoenixHRIS.
In Workforce Solutions, ReadyTech’s strengths lie in payroll and post-onboarding workforce management modules including rostering, time and attendance and award interpretation.
“With the acquisition of PhoenixHRIS, it enhanced our capability in talent acquisition and onboarding, enabling us to better serve the growing market need for remote recruitment in the stand-up economy,” Daniel says. “Everything needs to be online and mobile, and that includes recruitment as well.”
Ready Employ by Phoenix allows candidates to create a job profile instantly, apply for jobs, answer pre-screened questions, and even record quick interview videos all on their mobile.
In the transport and logistics industries, where job candidates are always on the move or working odd hour shifts, it’s important to have recruitment software that caters for flexibility.
The recruitment process is so important, Daniel notes, because it’s easy to hire but hard to move on those personnel who aren’t the right fit.
“It’s not only important that workers can do the work; they also need to have the right attitude and values that align with your company in the long term,” he says. Flexible interview arrangements are also important, especially for a workforce that’s always on the move – like in transport and logistics.
With Ready Employ, candidates can apply on their mobile phone, and move through the recruitment process seamlessly, from video recording and interviewing, instant appointment setting for interviews, or custom pre-screening questions relevant for different job profiles.
For example, for a driver, you can ask simple questions like ‘Do you have a forklift license?’ ‘How many accidents have you been in during the past five years?’ and any other qualifying question you want that is relevant for that job skill. Getting all the right information at the crucial early stages will help you get a full picture impression of your candidates outside of a basic CV. That way, employers can sort through candidates efficiently and effectively.
“Video screening also allows you to make decisions that fall beyond the scope of mere ‘on paper attributes’ – this is an efficient way to view a candidate’s attitude, personality traits, and cultural fit.”
In addition to its powerful capabilities as a recruitment tool, Ready Employ also has an onboarding module, where onboarding documents can be stored.
Each different job profile can have a different package, but it’s a bundled set of documents saved on the cloud, which you can access instantly.
“With the click of a button, the candidate can be sent all the right information right there on the spot.”
With Ready Employ, candidates can read and sign all the documents electronically and start their work immediately. Everything is recorded and stored safely in one location for HR and Payroll to access.
“From there, you can also set up the right onboarding training videos and materials to be sent, you can have communication alerts to notify the candidate about what they need to complete the onboarding process.”
READY PEOPLE
“ReadyTech is also very excited to be developing a new employee self-service app called Ready People,” Daniel says. Coming in FY23 and available for iOS or Android, Ready People is a mobile employee app made for the modern workforce, empowering employees with the flexibility to request leave, access payslips, and update personal information on the go.
Daniel says the app will operate as an extension of ReadyTech’s existing “powerful and intuitive payroll” platforms, but designed specifically to perform all the main functions an employee would want quick access to, including viewing rosters, clocking in to work, swapping shifts, viewing leave balance, or updating personal details.
REIMAGINING SUPPLY CHAIN WITH PEOPLE AT THE CENTRE
According to Daniel, for the sustainability of any business, the people are at the heart of what makes it thrive.
Recruitment and retention work hand-in-hand in maintaining a healthy workforce of engaged and skilled workers, he notes.
“Choosing the right technology to speed up processes and maximise efficiencies in getting the right people to the right job, and paid the right time, every time, is vital,” Daniel says.
“ReadyTech Workforce solutions is an all-in-one recruitment, HR and payroll system that saves you time. The recruitment module allows you to spend 80 per cent of your time recruiting the top candidates, instead of spending 80 per cent of your time sorting through the candidates. From seamless onboarding, to upskilling and developing employees – the solution adapts to your business’s employee management needs.”
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