If you think The Great Resignation of 2021 is just media hype, think again.

Nearly 4 million Americans quit their jobs in June alone this year, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Statistics, and a Gallup analysis indicates that up to half of workers are actively considering doing so or already looking for a new job. Workers are seeking greener pastures in the form of higher salaries, better work-life balance, flexibility in their work arrangements, and less stress. Some are even starting their own businesses.

Whatever the reason an employee has for leaving, a smaller workforce often affects an organization’s operations: productivity and job satisfaction are reduced for remaining employees, and more stress leads to burnout. The difficulty businesses face with hiring new talent adds an extra burden.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are the nerve center for an organization, aligning business processes and offering data and analytics that can be used to build efficiencies in the business. Even the best business system cannot replace great employees, of course, but don’t overlook the value that ERP solutions can deliver by better supporting workers and increasing growth opportunities.

ERP to the Rescue

You likely already know that an ERP platform can be used to increase revenue, strengthen customer service, and provide a great product. The workplace challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic have ultimately taught us that ERP solutions also help maintain business continuity in tough times.

Many businesses had previously learned the value of their ERP system in periods of transformation—during a change of ownership or a natural disaster like flooding or wildfires, for instance. Last year, an unprecedented number of organizations were tasked with developing work-from-home policies practically overnight while managing product demand amid uncertain supply chains.

Cloud ERP solutions have played a huge role in sustaining business operations by enabling remote access to business data and critical applications, providing automated reporting and real-time control over factory floors and other business areas. These platforms maintained production and managed demand shifts, in spite of labor and material shortages.

If 2020 was all about crisis management, this year has been all about trying to get our minds around a new way of working in uncertain times. And many employees aren’t sure how they feel about the road ahead.

Talent Management: An Often-Overlooked Use Case for ERP

If you suspect your business could be in trouble due to resignations or talent shortages, you can start by looking at the root causes.

ERP systems are a great resource for examining employee issues such as burnout, stress, and job satisfaction. The platform can help HR use data to gain insight into things like attendance, scheduling preferences (and problems), and even employees’ attitudes about work.

For example, if employees increasingly want the flexibility of working remotely or on a hybrid schedule, your IT systems may be able to help keep things running smoothly amid continuous change. Some of your software applications can eliminate redundant tasks.

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On an HR level, employees may not feel comfortable sharing their concerns about work experiences and expectations related to their workloads, balancing priorities outside work, and scheduling. In that case, your ERP system can help identify and track data on schedules, attendance, results from employee surveys, and any other information stored. These analytics can help identify the root causes of behavioral changes or dissatisfaction so that action can be taken before people leave.

Personnel data can show whether employees are getting enough time off to avoid burnout, and your ERP system could potentially be used to help find more space in scheduling to address such problems. Likewise, if data shows that certain employees are repeatedly calling in sick or coming in late, but have no previous pattern of doing so, that might indicate work dissatisfaction.

Analytics from the ERP system can additionally show historical data on employee pay raises and reviews.

The more knowledgeable you are about the employee experience, the more proactive you can be in attracting and retaining your talent.

Unlock the Maximum Value From Your ERP System

Most businesses today are under pressure to do more with less. With the coronavirus pandemic still a major concern, many manufacturers are operating with skeleton crews on their production lines. At the same time, managers need to maintain visibility into their operations.

ERP systems can help address HR issues and schedule work more precisely—all while automating processes, monitoring inventory and logistics in real time, and keeping financial and transactional information available in one central place.

Ultimately, an ERP system ties all your data together in a way that ensures business continuity, improves collaboration, builds teamwork, and helps achieve revenue growth.

If workers are going to dictate the new normal of workplace structures—and many will not settle for anything less than working remotely and flexibly—employers can leverage their ERP systems to maintain complete business visibility and continue to interact with customers and suppliers.

When was the last time you evaluated all the ways your ERP system might be put to better use? This is a great time to speak with an ERP solutions provider to ensure you aren’t missing out on any valuable features that can help your business continue to grow even in challenging times. Contact Navigator Business Solutions if you’d like to learn from our insights.