5 Benefits of business analytics for HR professionals

HR professionals are required to perform many job roles in one designation. They take care of new recruits, implement corporate policy, attend to disputes and conduct employee appraisals. If they have an extra minute or two, they have to find ways to decrease employee turnover.

Phew. It sounds like a never-ending list of tasks. And it is all in a day’s work. The human resources department is like a duck swimming in the lake. You can see it gliding smoothly above the surface because the feet below are moving in a rapid manner. It is similar to what an HR team does. They work hard behind the scenes to ensure all departments in the company run seamlessly. Earlier, they relied on their instincts and senses to help them. Now, things are changing. Big data is transforming businesses and the way a human resources department operates. Today, HR analytics is taking the corporate world by storm. Let’s find out why.

Big data is a big deal for HR professionals 

High recruitment costs. 

High employee attrition. 

Unreliable methods of attracting top talent. 

Lowered efficiency rates.

The HR department has always had its hands full with a long list of corporate problems. Finding the right solutions took time, effort and patience. Even then, you were not guaranteed favourable results. However, when you are certified in people analytics, you are able to use your expertise to make a difference in your organisation. To effect change, you need accurate facts and statistics that showcase areas where the company is successful and where you need to make modifications. You need the resources to evaluate employees across departments. A business analytics course will help you achieve your goals and get the job done.

HR business analytics uses the following data-based methods 

• Fact-based data
• Statistics
• Quantitative Analysis
• Business modelling
• Data visualisation
• Software such as Python, SQL, R

 
How business analytics can benefit HR professionals

1. Predictive analysis can lead to hiring better, long-term employees 

This is every HR manager’s worst nightmare — spending time, money and resources to hire a candidate, only to have them quit shortly after. It can get exhausting when your company’s turnover is high. That’s why you need predictive analytics. It’s a field within big data science where you can use statistics and analytical methods to forecast potential events such as the rate of employee retention, productivity and other important factors.

Predictive analytics even goes as far as to help you choose the right person for the job and how to target that candidate through various digital recruiting channels. It offers insights into how to fine-tune your recruitment process and eliminate errors. You can monitor vital data such as the level of experience and cost per hire. You can also determine if the potential hire is likely to stick around in the long term. You will understand where your process is lacking and make the necessary changes to optimise the HR procedures.

2. Analyse and improve the productivity of a department 

HR analytics can help make data-driven decisions to improve employee efficiency. It provides a clearer understanding of how different sections of the company function. You also receive insights into how departments collaborate with each other. Along with factors that affect employee motivation and performance. When you put all this information together, you get solutions to optimise workflow to enhance productivity.

The data software also collects and analyses information about employee-client relationships, time management and work output. Once you figure out what drives the best employees to perform at a higher level, you can apply this knowledge to help other professionals in the company achieve similar results.

3. Ensure smoother data entries, proper databases and effective retrieval of information 

It’s no secret that your job as an HR executive contains a ton of paperwork. Data analytics uses many storage software systems, such as SQL to build databases. You are able to collect, store, scrutinise, modify and analyse data with a few clicks of your fingertips. It takes away some of the pain of filing large amounts of employee and company information, which can be a tedious task.

4. Measure employee performance

During the appraisal process, you need an accurate analysis of every employee’s achievements, work habits, office behaviour and skill development. With business analytics, you will already have digital methods that have tracked the employee’s data throughout the year. This makes your job during the annual employee review easier.

You have data-backed documentation of the employee, which ensures the process is authentic and transparent. By examining the information, identifying patterns and comparing the results, you are in a better position to determine promotions and increments. You also have the facts and figures to provide constructive feedback for areas that need improvement.

5. Help management to make informed decisions about company policies

There is always a disconnect between upper management and lower-rung employees. It is the reason why so many organisational policies don’t work. While it is the HR department’s job to form a bridge between the leaders and the team members in the company, HR business analytics simplifies the process by a fair amount. You can create data-backed strategies to improve the quality of the employee’s work life, which in turn improves productivity.

How to be an HR business analytics professional 

Companies have recognised the incredible value of big data. They are actively hiring HR executives with a data science or business analytics certification.

Business analytics merges business intelligence, data analytics and computer programming to create an efficient system that develops strategies for productivity and profitability.

The course offers a well-designed curriculum which includes big data concepts, software systems and quantitative skills. You learn how to create insights that lead to strategic, well-informed decisions.

Business analytics syllabus:

• Subjects include:
  • Quantitative methods
  • Statistics
  • Predictive analysis
  • Programming tools such as R, SQL, Tableau, PowerBi, etc.

 
Eligibility requirements: 

• Any individual above the age of 18 years can apply for the business analytics course

 
Proschool can transform you into an HR analytics expert 

Ranked as one of India’s top ten schools in analytics, Proschool offers coaching classes that are comprehensive, in-depth and innovative. The business analytics course is taught by experienced analysts who use their advanced knowledge to help industry newcomers become proficient. The institute has adopted active learning methods, so students study by practical application. It’s an interesting approach that helps you retain information better. Once you are done with the program at Proschool, you are ready to use your new skills in people analytics.

Here are some of the course highlights:

• The course duration is for three months
• The coaching centres are set up in major cities across the country
• You can attend classes during the weekends, so it doesn’t interfere with your work or college hours
• There is also the option of attending online sessions
• The institute offers intensive study materials, videos and other learning resources
• You also get an NSDC certificate along with your business analytics qualification
• You can apply for Proschool’s placement assistance once you finish the course
• There are two variants on offer:
  • Business analytics (3 months)
  • Business analytics plus (4 months)

 
In conclusion 

HR analytics, also known as people analytics, is the new avatar of the traditional human resources department. It is an efficient system that helps you manage employees, maintain corporate policies and ensure that all departments are working smoothly. You can identify missing gaps in employee operations, develop solutions to increase performance and minimise employee attrition. It’s the perfect tool for you to make a significant contribution to the company.

Apply for the business analytics course here