Managing talent is no easy business, particularly when a firm operates on a global scale. Finding the right staff in the first place is difficult; tracking and developing them through your organisation is a gruelling test, even for the most seasoned HR professional...

Snowdrop Systems conducted research amongst HR professionals across a range of Industry sectors. They found that:

• People within HR-related job roles spend an average of 22 hours a week on administrative tasks
• Those that give on-line access to information for line managers and employees spend only 10 hours a week on administration
• 29% said that 2-5 hours are spent running reports each week, 10% claimed more than 6 hours were spent on this task
• Only 13% of respondents provided on-line access to staff records for line managers

Snowdrop says: "Using the correct tools enables HR to keep a firm hold on these areas, without expending unnecessary time and effort". Ofcom use Snowdrop's Evergreen, Fountain, Spring and U-Access modules, which they implemented as part of a strategy to change how HR operates. John Donnelly, HR Operations Manager says: "Our aim is to work smarter and minimise administration; devolving responsibility to staff and line managers. This frees up our time so we can support the organisation at a higher level".

Empowering Employees
Crow believes that the use of HR software can have more widespread effects. While the system would typically be administered by HR, it can be accessed at different levels. Encryption ensures data security but allowing Individuals to access Information means appraisals can be made more constructive and individuals given control of their own goal-setting.