Australia's top HR leaders talk to HRD about benefits of data
As organisations navigate increasingly complex workplaces, the role of data has never been more profound, according to the top HR executives in Australia.
HRD's Hot List winners for 2024 recently spoke with HRD about how data has driven change in their organisations.
"The data has given us the benefit, obviously, of knowing where to look and where to ask questions," Sarah Novelli, executive director of people and culture at BGIS, told HRD.
"If we work out where the highest priority areas are, we can get the biggest bang for our buck."
Through data, Novelli said they were able to identify a skills shortage in a certain division and create a graduate programme solution to address it and were able to lead the entire organisation into the top 15% of employers with a gender-fair workplace.
Fellow winner Jessica Bilston-Gourley, director of consulting firm Positive HR, also shared that they use data points to adjust or improve their programmes.
"It is pivotal in shaping our decision-making processes, especially when implementing new programmes initiatives," she told HRD. "It allows us to monitor if our programmes continue to meet the ever-evolving landscape of HR practices."
Making the HR function understandable
Data also makes HR leaders' functions more visible to other members of the workplace.
"Although we get a lot of commentary coming through in a lot of the stuff we do, we must be able to show our data as charts because that's what executives understand," said Laurence Halabut, chief people officer of Australian Military Bank (AMB).
Halabut, another Hot List executive, said they have also been using data from engagement and exit surveys to push for funding in their new programmes and initiatives.
Novelli also noted that the growing use of data also shifted how managers see success.
According to the HR leader, managers are beginning to discuss how they've been talking to their superiors about reducing turnover instead of financial success.
"They're using HR metrics as part of their discussions as leaders, and I don't think that was happening before."
Quantifying the function of HR
Their remarks came amid growing doubt on the productivity of HR departments across the world.
A recent study by Ciphr in the United Kingdom found that due to the low visibility of HR roles, other employees tend to underestimate their productivity, importance, and impact.
Claire Williams, chief people and operations officer at Ciphr, said raising awareness on HR leaders' functions will need the use of data.
"There's much that HR teams do that's not always quantifiable. But, there is a huge array of data that HR leaders can use to demonstrate to the business where progress is being made," Williams said.
"Use the insights from your HR system, dig into historical and current data and look at the trends, it will help you drive more strategic 'value add' conversations and enable more educated decision-making about your organisation’s most important asset – your people."
Take a look at HRD's full list of winners and read their insights here.
