Want the Best HR Software for Small Businesses? Build Your Own with this SmartSuite Tutorial
If you're a manager, there's a common ground you're likely standing on: people are complicated. And as any seasoned professional knows, the complexity of people directly translates into the complexities of managing a business's people function. The cogs and wheels that drive Human Resources demand more than your memory or a hastily jotted to-do list. We all know – you don't just "wing it" in HR.
The software industry, ever attentive, has flooded the market with a myriad of specialty human resource software. Taken together, they address nearly every conceivable facet of HR management: applicant tracking, performance evaluation, onboarding, offboarding, and training – a veritable arsenal. For a small team, however, equipping yourself with a dozen different platforms is more than a slight overkill – it's an HR headache waiting to happen.
Enter the scene: SmartSuite, a cost-effective, simpler, and somewhat new school approach to your HR woes. At its core, SmartSuite is a no-code work management platform that finds its place between the likes of database management powerhouses and flexible task management systems.
With SmartSuite, you can corral your data and tasks into one organized, centralized hub. Inviting collaboration without the tedious task of juggling between multiple softwares, SmartSuite feeds into the productivity of your team without the added budget strain.
Why Choose SmartSuite for HR Management:
- It's cost-effective: Less expensive than many specialty HR software.
- No-code platform: Accessible for those without technical expertise.
- Centralizes data: Keeps all HR information in one place, promoting efficiency.
- Integrations: Works well with tools you're already using.
Ready to revolutionize your HR approach? Here's a drill-down on how SmartSuite can redefine your HR management system – without breaking the bank or your spirit.
Creating Your SmartSuite HR Management System
While it's tempting to explore every nook and cranny of SmartSuite, let's focus on the salient features that make it a game-changer for your small business HR needs.
First things first, sign up for SmartSuite using the affiliate link below - it's free, no credit cards required. Then dive into the 'Add New Solution' area. Starting with a template is the golden nugget of advice here, as it grants you a head-start with preconfigured structures and SOPs. Look for 'Personnel Management', and despite its unassuming title, it's a gold mine.
After loading the template, SmartSuite allows you to fine-tune it to your company's heartbeat. Rename it, recolor it, change its icon – make it yours. Here’s a breath of privacy – adjust permissions to ensure confidentiality in your HR dealings.
Each ‘app’ or database in SmartSuite correlates to a different facet of your HR functions – from the job profiles to your team member directory – it’s quite the expedition. You can create new records to capture and manage all HR related data.
Views and Customization:
- Grid View: For those who love spreadsheets.
- Card View: A more visual approach.
- Kanban View: Perfect for tracking recruitment pipelines.
- Timeline View: To oversee project deadlines and more.
"HR management is a balancing act between task management and data organization – SmartSuite is your agile juggler."
Streamlining Onboarding: A Snap with SmartSuite
Onboarding is a pivotal process, and SmartSuite ensures it's not overlooked. Customize the onboarding checklist, add fields for emergency contacts, languages spoken, and align the onboarding buddy feature to track the process every step of the way.
Checklists are your secret weapon for consistency. Set standard values and utilize the 'My Work' feature to centralize tasks, so no critical onboarding step falls through the cracks.
Connected Databases:
By linking records, SmartSuite removes silos that plague disparate systems. Let’s say Christie is in the midst of her onboarding process. Her record can seamlessly connect to her confidential employee file and progress reports. It's a two-way street of information leading to better-informed decisions.
Organizing Employee Records:
Imagine stepping into a leadership role armed with comprehensive data at your fingertips:
- Personal and Professional Details: Birth date, allergies, job title.
- Working History: Notes, disciplinary actions, and kudos.
- Documents: Securely attached and neatly organized.
Lopez's profile, for example, provides a 360-degree view of his work experience and any noteworthy events. It's a treasure trove for any HR or team manager.
If the default fields on SmartSuite are not sufficient, flex your creative muscles by adding or deleting fields to make it your HR powerhouse.
Action Steps to Implement SmartSuite in Your HR Workflow:
- Field Customization: Delete what’s irrelevant and tweak what’s nearly-there.
- View Optimization: Ditch excess views. Keep what helps you see clearer.
- Demolish Demo Data: Out with the demo, in with your own, real data.
- Populate with Precision: Add current projects, team members, and tasks.
As you take this initial dive into SmartSuite, you're not just setting up an HR system – you're laying the groundwork for expanding this strategy to all business functions.
Adopting SmartSuite is merely the first chapter of your journey towards a more organized, efficient, and simplified business process.
To experience SmartSuite's key benefits for yourself, start a free trial today and explore its intuitive work management platform.