Human Capital Analytics In Business Today

By Madeline Finch


Human capital refers to the workforce in companies. The process of human capital analytics is a procedure of measuring and analyzing the investment in the labor force within an enterprise. Its purpose is to provide a continual means of improving the working conditions and productivity of staff.

This procedure is quite different from the previous human resource systems. For instance, when hiring a new member of staff, the old systems focused on the past behavior of the person, while the new one focuses on the current and future behavioral trends which are more plausible in predicting performance. The human resource executives highly depended on their gut feeling when it came to making decisions. This method is a modified, scientific way able to perform more efficiently in employee management.

The process comprises of three main stages. The pre-analytical stage involves gathering of information and an accurate assessment of strengths and weaknesses. The first stage involves identifying the cause of the problems in the business. Once the cause has been identified, a solution pattern is formulated. The pattern is coupled with a time frame which states the expected time the solution will take to be effective. The last stage is the prediction stage which deals with recurrence probability as well as preventive measures.

It involves the use of different tools that are able to capture modern trends in human capital sector of business. The most important tool facilitates employee feedback which enhances vertical communication in a business organizational chart. There is also an allowance for the determination of the likelihood of employee turnover, comparisons of salaries with competing companies and so on. The system is also able to outline means of enhancing horizontal communication through cross departmental partnership.

The system has effectively reduced staff turnover in the businesses using it. It has enabled the administration of enterprises to better understand the exact things behind staff motivation. Improved workforce planning has created programs that have enabled better performance. However, the turnover has mostly been reduced since the executives are able to know the precise incentives to give workers in order to retain them and encourage new arrivals. For instance, insurance and free parking are effective non monetary incentives.

The main merit of this procedure is the increased rate of labor productivity. A happy employee is a productive one. This productivity then translates to more revenue earnings for the businesses. Another benefit is the lower HR department costs. With the reduction of law suits against the company for things like wrongful termination and sexual harassment, the department is able to save more. Reduced turnover rate has also fueled this decrease.

Analytical survey of the workforce of an enterprise may be done internally or externally. Listings of individuals or firms offering this service are available online for interested parties. However, those wishing to undertake personnel training in the activity can also do so to reduce cost of hiring external analysts.

It is vital for companies to recognize the workforce as a critical and expensive asset. The use of human capital analytics is thus mandatory for those businesses intending to raise their comparative advantage. It is affordable in the long run and enables a strategy that will continually improve human capital.




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