IoT’s impact on HROs’ Leadership

IoT, a common buzzword heard in IT circles, but more rarely within the C-Suite, can be an impactful phenomenon vital to HRO success and growth. Consider the Internet of Things, the sheer volume of devices connected to one another within your firm. The impact on remote workforce relationships, the vital communication tools and the data collection those devices represent. Without them, an HRO would be hard-pressed to function as well as they currently do, however, IoT is often sidelined as something only the IT department manages. However considering the agility needed to keep up with changing technology, the ever-increasing skill and education needs, and the need to counter hard skills with an emphasis on soft skills in other areas, IoT is something that requires systemic change and at times, cultural change. Change of that nature requires initiative at the leadership level in order to be successful. Let’s take a look at four crucial areas of a successful HRO and the impact leadership and the IoT may have on those areas.

Areas of HRO interest:

Failure and prediction of failure -

The Internet of Things can provide opportunities to note potential failures by systematically analyzing large quantities of data, bringing root-cause analysis to a new level of speed and unbiased consideration.  Once collected and compiled, the data can provide preventative maintenance plans and suggestions for standardizations that may prevent failures in the future. Linking devices increases the speed and opportunity for communication of potential issues and possible errors across departments and locations without increasing the burden on busy professionals.

However, without leadership’ support, IoT is left wallowing in old traditions and stale software, because it’s what “we’ve always done.” Leadership can initiate and encourage IoT changes and education through example, clearly-communicate promotion and incentives for participation. They can create appropriate teams to monitor and act on data brought in by IoT, keep apprised of new technology that can minimize failure or provide better predictive measures and clearly communicate these updates to the workforce, instead of relegating the full responsibility to a disconnected IT team. Encouraging change when old technology is outdated may be the hardest thing to do in this space, but when that technology saves time, frustration and potentially lives in the long run, the momentary irritation is worth the consideration.

Simplification -

We already know connecting multiple devices in multiple venues can provide immense data for root-cause analysis without judgmental bias interfering with its accumulation. It can also improve workplace collaboration, provide greener, cheaper technologies and increase efficiency to prevent future events, all without burdening the workforce with numerous team meetings, frequent phone tag, and missed communications. While face-to-face interactions are still vital, they can be reserved for necessary occasions and assist in memory retention by recording information in chat room logs or software chains. Virtual whiteboards, remote workforce connections, and easy-to-use data software can minimize complicated HRO system hiccups and provide ways to monitor standardization of work across departments.

Leadership is needed to encourage the use of data implementation into the technologies, encourage standardized procedures for using IoT, put incentives in place for the simplification of standardization wherever possible and actively seek ways or technologies that assist in a cleaner way to work. When leaders reference the importance of device and software use, authority and importance are lent to the features and others will follow suit. A leader’s engagement with IoT will be contagious.

Deference to Expertise -

Expertise is readily available to all connected to the IoT; collaborative movements are made easier by creating multiple venues that flex with schedules, locations, and other obstacles; teamwork moves from the office space to the world allowing for a wider range of expertise to be worked within. Truly IoT allows specialists to reach remote locations where there knowledge and skills can have a life-saving impact.

Leadership can provide the appropriate level of freedom to explore, to discover and utilize new expertise; exemplify deference to expertise through the invitation of such via multi-purpose devices across facilities, states, and even countries during meetings and when developing strategies; and they can include expert opinion in the standardization of work.

Resilience -

In every HRO there exists a need to not only create a resilient HRO but a resilient IoT within that HRO, where the response to systems failure is immediate and self-healing. Data cannot be lost but maintained with predictive readiness in order to ensure accuracy and safe-keeping, especially as organizations rely more heavily on the data collected by IoTs and the communication opportunities it affords.

Leaders must stay attuned to current updates and upgrades, ensuring his or her team is not letting software or devices go stale in order to save money. Predictive maintenance and care to security are new concerns for current-day leaders as are ever-changing regulations that require a level of agility not needed in prior generations. Partnering with IT departments to uncover the most cost-effective, educated format for maintaining a current IoT is beneficial to all involved.

While the IoT is not the newest trend, it one with staying power and one that needs to be lead by example since it requires change and agility, two things many in the workforce shy away from. However, when managed well, technology can support a company’s mission, create an environment-friendly engagement, add cost-effective measures and simplify daunting tasks.