Human Resource Management – Time and Attendance

We’ll be right back after this short break…..

After taking a short break……..Euro2020 is FINALLY under way!

The England campaign under Gareth Southgate’s quiet, gentle leadership is as steady as ever.

Since taking over the ‘Top Job’, he’s emerged as the ‘Big Brother’ of the squad and that’s not only apparent with his laid-back approach to the line-up but also with his backroom staff.

Has a Laissez-Faire style of management developed within the England camp?

Laissez-Faire, ah yes, the old ‘hands off ‘minimal micro-management, no daily meeting approach.

Apple’s Steve Jobs was a committed believer……apparently.

French for “leave alone” Laissez-Faire is to all intent and purposes the position to adopt for a ‘leave in peace’ method. It’s the most agreeable tactic to assume, so long as you’re happy giving your line-up the freedom to rock out and be C R E A T I V E.

But does this mean that traditional management styles are no longer essential for success, have they become an out-of-date, unnecessary waste of time?

Like the ‘Beautiful Game’, are managers switching tactics at half-time if their time-tested leadership method is failing, particularly on the next generation of workers who after the last year or so, have spent most of their time working from home?

Let’s look at the top 5 recognised management styles.

Coaching
A coach identifies strengths, weaknesses and is effective at setting goals for the team. They understand how everyone on their team ‘ticks’ and recognises that everybody has something different to bring to the table.

The Visionary
A visionary will drive and inspire others, will always be looking ahead and will be creative with fresh ideas and concepts. A manager who looks at the bigger picture and how notions can be transformed for the better whilst understanding that new ideas take time to be perfected. Focus is given to the end prize not the current position.

Servant
Servant leaders are people-minded and invest heavily in personal development. They are particularly good with employee well-being, morale and satisfaction. Amiable, caring and agreeable whilst seeing both sides of the argument.

Autocratic/Authoritarian
The dreaded military style leader is focused purely on results and efficiency and will make decisions solo or with a small principle group. Workers subjected to this type of austere leadership believe they are just ‘a number’ and therefore not recognised as an individual. The autocratic leader usually sees the cost to the company and not the person behind it.

Democratic
A democratic leader will always ask for input. A manager who not only recognises that others have voices and opinions worth listening to but who is open to constructive criticism and who welcomes a two-way street approach within meetings, which, as every leader worth their salt recognises, is valuable.

Whatever management style you choose to adopt for your ‘squad’ Ceequel® Biometric Time and Attendance Management software will help you deliver the results that you require for ALL your workforce.

ELF Productivity Ltd and Ceequel® software, reliable, steady, always developing and constantly improving.

For a closer look at Ceequel® software contact ELF Productivity Ltd today for a free, no obligation quotation and demonstration of Ceequel® software.

Alternatively, please feel free to download our brochure catalogue here.

There’s No Place Like Home

Education both remotely and at school is finally over until September and that means only one thing……summer is officially here!

Holidays can begin or as the UK travel industry have re-branded it, let the ‘staycation’ commence!

#Staycation. With holidays already reserved to spend via ‘Costa del Decking’ this summer, when was the last time any of us chose to take our annual leave in Blighty?

As we emerge from one of the most traumatic times in UK work history, a ‘staycation’ could just be what the doctor if not the Government ordered for UK workers. Coastal, countryside and city destinations all filled with businesses that need a helping hand at this time.

Not convinced and still prefer to jet off?

Given the current climate, is anyone particularly enamoured with the thought of sharing a tin can with 200 + strangers, on a flight loaded with masks and hand sanitiser, accompanied by the type of nervy eye-swivels that only appear when someone is brave enough to clear their throat?

Surely the option to holiday at home this year for that reason alone is more attractive.

Remember when you were a child and the only things that mattered on holiday were candy floss, building sandcastles on the beach and fish and chips, usually in that order. Children don’t particularly care where they holiday, as long as they get to have an adventure.

With UK hotels and hospitality still able to accommodate bookings, supporting local businesses is crucial at this stage of our recovery to provide the country with a much-needed economic boost and to help workers enjoy some welcome R&R time-off.

Perhaps you have always wanted to scale the dizzy heights of Ben Nevis – Bear Grylls style obviously! Maybe now is the time to accomplish that dream. Spending hours outdoors is a proven medicine for a good night’s sleep, as well as being beneficial for both mental health and physical wellbeing.

Given the current climate that’s something we could all profit from once we are back on the shop floor.

Great Britain is an amazing place so why not enjoy a ‘staycation’ this summer? Is holidaying in the UK really so bad?

After all, as Dorothy often reminds us “There’s no place like home.”

If you are interested in implementing a Human Resources Time and Attendance Management system to assist in planning your employees own summer #staycation, contact ELF Productivity Ltd today on 01257 256000 for a free, no obligation demonstration and quotation of Ceequel® software suite.

Or alternatively, our brochure catalogue can be downloaded here.

ELF Productivity Ltd and Ceequel® software, assisting, advising and supporting all our clients both remotely and office-based during the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak.

“Work Just A Little Bit”

After 7, 8 or even 9 weeks of the same 4 walls/garden/bedroom, it’s understandable that the nation has been ‘chomping at the bit’ to get just a little of their ‘pre-corona’ life back.

Therefore, with the Prime Minister’s weekend address that we are to be actively but tentatively encouraged back to work, it has been met surprisingly with some considerable shock.

“What did Boris just say, go outside and what was the other thing? RETURN TO WORK!!”

By locking the country down for several weeks, the nation is now struggling to not only return to work physically but mentally.

When we look back at this time, who will emerge as the real heroes of the crisis and the lock-down?

Will it be the managers who were quick to park their business and furlough staff or the leaders who committed to keep their company going and safely remained open for business?

Will it be the employees who risked all by continuing to commute to their workplace, playing their part in either sustaining the economy or caring for their community?

Will it be the one who worked from home remotely on a makeshift office desk, whilst helping shares in UPS, Tesco and Royal Mail ascend into the stratosphere via their new addiction to online shopping?

Or will it be the ones who sat on their couch, furloughed, relatively risk-free, washing their hands whilst sampling the ‘gins of the world’ and applying Factor 10?

With the revelation that ‘some’ workplace and outdoor restrictions are to be eased the negative reactions the news has brought has exposed both the country’s workers and their management.

Whilst the nation should be thanked to some degree for adhering to the lock-down rules initially laid out by the government, we should now follow the Prime Minister’s cue and gently allow a phased return to work…. for everyone.

Over the coming days and weeks and once businesses have unlocked their doors, Human Resources need to look at introducing, if they don’t already do so, return to work interviews.

If staff are struggling to adjust mentally, HR executives need to get on board with the idea of allowing part-time or flexible working patterns, even going as far as to remain committed to remote working for part of the week.

Whilst the idea of working remotely permanently sounds idyllic while enjoying a mini heatwave the reality for some has proved to be quite different. Slow and unreliable Wi-Fi coupled with sporadic broadband data connections, no ‘real’ conversations and with questionable hygiene and grooming standards emerging, the experience has left some employees if not their managers, more than willing to return to the shop floor.

This is without question a unique and unprecedented time in UK workplace history but here at ELF Productivity Ltd we are confident that you will be able to navigate your entire workforce through the coming months.

Whatever workplace procedures you choose to adopt during this time, ELF Productivity Ltd and Ceequel® Biometric Time and Attendance Management system are here to guide, assist and support you.

Providing your rules have logic, Ceequel® software suite will be able to incorporate ANY working shift pattern that you choose to implement into your workplace.

ELF Productivity Ltd and Ceequel® committed to maintaining and supporting all our clients during the ongoing Corona-virus outbreak.

If you are interested in a Biometric Time and Attendance Management system for your business, contact ELF Productivity Ltd today for a free, no obligation quotation and demonstration of Ceequel® software suite.

Or alternatively, our brochure catalogue can be downloaded here.

We’ll Meet Again…..

Dad’s Army, the iconic TV show that showcased some of our finest actors is now in middle age, a classic series that was birthed from our last great conflict, WW2.

The 8th May 2020 will see the world observe the 75th Anniversary of the end of WW2. Sadly, given the current climate there won’t be any formal celebrations, however the unity, camaraderie and solidarity from the 1940’s era is clearly rising again.

A ‘team temperament’ is intensifying as we face and fight a very different enemy.

Many leaders today come equipped with a lot of ‘hot air’ but only when you have been tested through ‘fire’ can you truly call yourself a great leader!

Baroness Karren Brady was once quoted as saying “A real leader faces the music, even when they don’t like the tune.”

Whilst there will always be conflict of some degree in many ‘war-rooms’ how many of your ‘troops’ would step up and follow you into a very different corporate battle?

What type of leader do you think you are and does the private image match up to the reality? In your head are you ‘Stormin Norman’ when the reality is perhaps more Private Pike?

Private Pike, the youngest member of the Dad’s Army platoon and a very much indulged member. Always feared his domineering mother and lacked the confidence to step out, hence the now legendary phrase; “You stupid boy!”

His ‘boss’ of course was Captain Mainwaring, who was as pompous as he was brave and patriotic. With no prior combat experience, he was limited in his key strategic decision-making. He was also jealous of his right-hand man….

Which brings us to his second in command, Sergeant Wilson. An upper-class, public school educated, suave and superior gentleman with a fondness for the ladies. Well, one lady in particular, a certain Mrs Pike!

Lance Corporal Jones, the oldest member of the team. A leader beforehand who liked to reassure everyone whenever a crisis emerged with the renowned phrase “Don’t panic.”

Advice not heeded by Private Frazer and his dour, blunt and woeful, “we are all doomed” stance!

Private Walker, a fit and able-bodied black-market spiv. A shirker who was well-able but preferred to take the easy route.

Finally, we have Private Godfrey, a frail, gentle, amiable medical orderly. An old school gent.

A diverse bunch of individuals and looking at the characters, would you and your team identify with any of them?

Whilst the Dad’s Army unit might not be to everyone’s liking, the one endearing factor they did have was unity…..and a great sense of humour.

Despite everything that is currently happening around the world, we need to adopt the very same solidarity that saw us through WW2.

It’s during our greatest trials that patience, endurance and strength are produced. Only by adhering to the same ‘team solidarity’ that saw our grandparents and great-grandparents witness victory in WW2 will we crush this new enemy.

As our gracious and beloved Monarch has already reminded us, we will get through this time, we will see better days and we WILL meet again.

ELF Productivity Ltd and Ceequel® software, still delivering, still maintaining and still supporting our clients during the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.

If you are interested in a Biometric Time and Attendance Management system for your team, contact ELF Productivity today for a free no obligation, quotation and demonstration of Ceequel® software suite.

Or alternatively, our brochure catalogue can be downloaded here.

How Can I Love You More?

L.O.V.E that little ‘Four Letter Word’ that is out in force around the middle of Feb and thanks to clever advertisers, very much in your face!

Now we know that being the romantic lot that you are, you wouldn’t have forgotten but just in case you have, here’s a gentle reminder; Valentine’s Day is just around the corner……

The most amorous time of the year brings out the romantic in many of us, especially the ‘Starry-Eyed’ personnel on the shop floor.

It must be said that the build up to February 14th can for some, be a distracting time on the production line. Amused anticipation is on open display, as your very own ‘Tim and Dawn’ are observed blushing their way around ‘The Office’.

But with all the ‘Endless Love’ flowing, what of the ‘bemused’ boss that not only has to manage his or her ‘Hopelessly Devoted’ team members but plan and schedule their last-minute ‘Love Rendezvous’?

It’s widely accepted that the most popular place to meet your ‘significant other’ is in the workplace. You spend more time there than anywhere else, so it makes ‘Perfect’ sense that ‘Love Is All Around’ doesn’t it?

Whilst opportunities present themselves more easily on the shop floor and when the time is right, ‘L.O.V.E’ is not always a surprise but after the first flush of romance, what happens when ‘Tim and Dawn’ request the inevitable time off together?

Planning staff holidays for any manager can be a headache, if not a vast military exercise; nothing works, nothing gels, nothing fits! Throw in an eleventh hour mini-break request from ‘John’ in sales and ‘Kayleigh’ in accounts and you get the idea. Two employees who not only work on the same team but the same project.

Here at ELF, we understand the situation completely when ‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling’ with your current processes but be assured, with the right software in place, not only will Ceequel® become ‘the one that you want’ this Valentine’s Day but it will render everything ‘Perfect’ for both you AND your team.

Staff planning a last-minute get-away? Forget Booking.com as nothing books or confirms a holiday request faster than Ceequel® Employee Self Service.

Deployed on a kiosk or via an employee’s PC, smart phone or tablet, Employee Self Service completely removes the paper trail and gives total administration control to employees. Staff can immediately establish who on their team has already been granted a leave of absence.

So, with that in mind and apart from ‘The One’ make Ceequel® software the additional ‘significant other’ that you #Love this Valentine’s Day.

If you are interested in a Biometric Time and Attendance system to work with your Human Resources department, contact ELF Productivity Ltd today for a free no obligation quotation and demonstration of Ceequel® software.

Alternatively, our brochure catalogue can be downloaded here.

Are You Ready To Take On 2020?

Happy New Year and welcome to the 20’s!

2020 heralds not just a new year but a new decade. What is 2020 already saying to you and the future of your business? The culture-trends for the coming year and indeed the decade have already been mapped out.

So, the question is, are you ready to take on 2020?

Brexit

You genuinely didn’t think the ‘B’ word wouldn’t come into play, did you? On the 31st January the word we have all come to know so intimately will be consigned to Room 101 forever. A word that symbolises everything that is amiss encompassing an institution known as the European Union.

The time, ladies and gents, has FINALLY arrived.

Boris’s current default-setting is “Let’s get on and get Brexit done”. Once ‘done’ Brexit in its current state will no longer be part of the British vocab……unless it resurfaces as a breakfast cereal.

“BREXIT, a new way to start your morning”.

Avoid, unless you are looking for something that is VERY slow-releasing and takes some considerable time to digest!

Our departure from the EU and our somewhat ‘touchy’ European cousins will herald a new beginning for the UK. More freedom and greater opportunities.

Will 2020 be the year that the ‘Great’ is at last put back into Britain’s manufacturing?

Tech Life

“I get up when I want to except on Wednesdays’ when I get rudely awakened by the dustmen”. No, not ‘90’s Parklife but ‘20’s Tech Life!

Just to clarify robots are NOT taking over the planet, humans are NOT about to join Brexit in Room 101 but in the upcoming decade there WILL be an immense drive towards further AI and Automation implementation.

Autonomous driving is just one area where a change is expected to manifest in 2020. Tesla mogul Elon Musk has already declared that he expects his company to create a ‘fully complete’ autonomous vehicle by this year.

Ambitious, yes but practical and safe? You decide, as the jury is still out.

Well-Being

When you think of well-being, you instantly think of a ‘zen-like’ image. Not so much for 2020. Whilst ‘mental well-being’ and ‘heads together’ have been the buzzwords for 2019, 2020 will be the year where greater importance is placed on ‘financial well-being’.

The coming year has already been earmarked to introduce monetary education into the workplace.

Many causes of workplace stress and absenteeism can usually be placed at the feet of ‘The Management’ but all ribbing aside, financial worries are no joke and over time they DO impact workplace productivity. Fears that can be addressed by managers taking the time to educate and support their staff.

As always, a happy and contented workforce = better and greater productivity.

So, looking ahead, could 2020 be the year that we not only see Made in Great Britain back in business but the year that YOU see a British solution transform YOUR business?

Ceequel® a real-time Biometric Time and Attendance Management system that incorporates Human Resources, Employee Self Service and Access Control as standard options.

Contact ELF Productivity Ltd today for a no obligation quotation and demonstration of Ceequel® software suite.

Or, alternatively, please feel free to download our brochure catalogue here.

Make 2020 the year that you invest in your future with Ceequel® software suite.

It’s A Jungle Out There

Despite the negativity surrounding the introduction of Artificial Intelligence into the workplace, there has never been a more opportune or favourable time to upskill your workforce.

As with any investment that HR make into the domain of digital transformation the prosperity of staff must be at the forefront. With the current privacy law set-up and with yet ‘another’ delayed Brexit departure, there has never been a more fundamental need for a workforce Time and Attendance software that not only supports British businesses but delivers on the promised ‘real deal’.

Over the last two decades the workplace landscape has altered enormously with vast emphasis placed not only on development but digital and social media roles. ‘Tech’ individuals dominating in positions that at one time were considered a hobby or a side-line to a person’s real job.

Jobs that are now mainstream career choices.

Generation X were the first to experience Atari, Excel, Microsoft Windows and essentially the World Wide Web, Millennials have not only embraced the digital revolution but have taken it to the next level.

The soft skills that were considered just that, i.e. ‘soft’, were effectively shelved and ultimately made redundant.

But, as everyone of a ‘certain age’ understands, ALL things come around again in their own good time. The onset of the AI revolution has brought with it a revitalisation. Soft skills are having what can only be described as a revival, a rebirth. Soft skills are ‘hip’ again, soft skills have made it back onto the job spec!

When you think of this unique skill set, what image do they convey to you? Do you instantly think of Time Management, Empathy, Compassion, Timekeeping, Communication and Teamwork?

Through no fault of their own, many ‘tech’ individuals are lacking in the ‘soft’ department and unfortunately their predicament only comes to light during employment.

During the interview process, many candidates appear to be all-singing and all-dancing but once entrenched in the workplace, you discover that in some areas they are in fact more Peter Crouch than Fred Astaire.

With AI now a very real presence and role reversals and training required in order to survive and compete in the metropolis ‘work jungle’, soft skills can be ‘fired up’ again for Generation X and for the younger, ‘techy’ generation, developed.

With Time Management systems now a key priority for the majority of businesses, the good news is that no matter how digital they become, robots will always require a helping ‘human’ hand.

If you are interested in a Biometric Time Management system for your business, contact ELF Productivity Ltd today for a no obligation quotation and demonstration of Ceequel® software.

Alternatively, our brochure catalogue can be downloaded here.

Clocking On

The academic year is now in full swing and this week for most, observes the first half-term break of the year.

Christmas is hovering just on the horizon but so is a long overdue Au Revoir! But let’s not dwell or even mention the ‘B’ word that is due to manifest ‘sometime’ this century!

So, heading swiftly ‘back to school’, have you ever contemplated why most pupils are eager to return after their Autumn break, whilst teachers and supporting staff are less than, how shall we say, ‘enthusiastic’ about clocking on.

Hmm, the world of work, sometimes it’s about as attractive an option as meeting Jeremy Corbyn at the First Dates restaurant! Stuffy, tedious, regimented routines to look forward to, the same old, same old. A titanic effort is often obligatory in order to muster up the ‘zing’ required to take you through to the welcome sound of the 5.00pm klaxon!

Somewhere in between “school’s out” for good and the real graft begins, a dissatisfied worker appears…… and that’s just the boss!

All jokes aside, shouldn’t we expect to welcome ‘clocking on’, after all, we spend more time on the shop floor than we do anywhere else. This leads us to the question “who exactly is responsible for our workplace bliss” the Line Manager, the ‘Big Boss’, HR, ourselves or something else?

Maybe the ‘something else’ is what is missing from many shop floors.

The HR crew are traditionally the main port-of-call for all worker gripes but as with everything, having the appropriate processes in-situ in the first place, not only helps but makes an enormous difference.

Employees that are granted more responsibility and freedom of choice regarding shifts, flexible/remote working options, training and progression are, in the main, likely to be more content.

Happy workforce = increased productivity

Just maybe, the crucial element to true workplace happiness doesn’t lie primarily in the salary that’s earned but, in the opportunities available, opportunities to learn and grow.

School’s out doesn’t = learning stops

Whatever the workforce age there is always something new to be mastered. By observing the eagerness displayed by school children, who like sponges, happily soak up fresh ideas and new learning, we understand that different ventures should be embraced and not feared within the workplace.

With the times that now lie ahead and with the imminent onset of AI and digital transformation this has never been more crucial.

ELF Productivity Ltd and Ceequel® software suite, the only Biometric Time and Attendance system that you will ever need in order to facilitate all your Time Management requirements for your own ‘classroom’.

If you are interested in a Biometric Time Management solution for your workforce, contact ELF Productivity Ltd today and take advantage of a free no obligation quotation and demonstration of Ceequel® software.

Alternatively, please feel free to download our brochure catalogue here.

Laissez-Faire vs Autocratic

With the 2020 Euro qualifiers now in full swing the England campaign under Gareth Southgate’s quiet, gentle leadership is as steady as ever. Since taking over the England reins, he’s emerged as the ‘Big Brother’ of the squad and that’s not only apparent with his laid-back approach to the line-up but also his backroom staff.

Is a Laissez-Faire style of management developing within the England camp?

Laissez-Faire, ah yes, the old ‘hands off ‘minimal micro-management, no daily meeting approach. Apple’s Steve Jobs was a committed believer…..apparently.

French for “leave alone” Laissez-Faire is to all intent and purposes the position to adopt if a ‘leave in peace’ method is required. It’s the most agreeable tactic to assume, so long as you’re happy allowing your line-up the freedom to rock out and be C R E A T I V E.

But does this mean that traditional management styles are no longer essential for success, have they become an out-of-date, unnecessary waste of time?

Like the ‘Beautiful Game’, are managers switching tactics at half-time if their time-tested leadership method is failing, particularly on the next generation of workers?

Let’s look at the top 5 recognised management styles.

Whatever management style you choose to adopt for your ‘squad’ Ceequel® Biometric Time and Attendance Management software will not only help you deliver the results that you require for your entire workforce but maintain and sustain them.

ELF Productivity Ltd and Ceequel® software, reliable, steady, always developing and constantly improving.

For a closer look at Ceequel® contact ELF Productivity Ltd today for a free, no obligation quotation and demonstration of Ceequel® software.

Alternatively, please feel free to download our brochure catalogue here.

Keep Calm and Carry On

On the 1st September 2019, the world will stand and remember the 80th Anniversary of the outbreak of World War 2.

A war that plunged Britain into a period of desolation with ‘Britannia’ once again ‘in the trenches’. A war that raged until 2nd September 1945.

After 6 long years of conflict, how much of what transpired during that period, fashioned the contemporary nation that we occupy today?

From Alan Turing and his ground-breaking work on the complex Enigma code, work that paved the way for modern Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, to the Keep Calm and Carry On brigade of the Home Guard and the ‘Jam and Jerusalem’ steadfast ladies of the WI, WW2 produced some of our finest moments.

After all, you only really discover what’s under the surface when you are squeezed!

The PM in-situ at No 10 on that historic day was Neville Chamberlain; perhaps not the best day to be the ‘Boss’! But has history judged Neville kindly? After suddenly becoming terminally ill in 1940, we will never comprehend the manner of leadership he would’ve gone on to display.

But in all honesty, given the choice, would YOU have wanted the responsibility?

Despite his flaws, Sir Winston Churchill was perhaps the only person during that time, considered proficient enough for the ‘top job’.

Strategic planning, key decision-making, focus, dedication, commitment and loyalty, leadership qualities already in place, honed by Churchill’s many years in the military. Leadership qualities crucial to steering a nation through rationing, bombing raids, the Battle of Britain and the Blitz.

The steely British backbone the advancements in Computer Science and the birth of modern-day management as the United Kingdom re-built itself; all are by-products of the war years.

We may not be facing the same battles today, but workplaces can still be a ‘war zone’. From personality clashes to motivating staff, from business foresight to projection and ‘staying ahead of the competition’ they all require tactical planning, excellent negotiating skills and solid, dependable leadership.

So, after 80 years what have we learned? Have we learned to side-step and avoid confrontation, or have we learned to ‘step-up’ and meet our challenges head on?

One thing is certain, we have discovered that for every dedicated leader there is also an ally, an ally all too ready, willing and able to embark on that same challenge with them.

ELF Productivity Ltd and Ceequel® software the only allies you will ever need to facilitate a competent business strategy for your entire workforce.

If you are looking to introduce a Biometric Time and Attendance system into your company, contact ELF Productivity Ltd today for a free no obligation quotation and demonstration of Ceequel® software suite.

Alternatively, please feel free to download our brochure catalogue here.