Google’s automated car has been receiving a lot of attention in the news lately. It’s a car that can drive itself and could be a major breakthrough for certain segments of our population, such as the disabled and the elderly. However, the automated car may be a setback for some professions like taxi drivers and chauffeurs. Mercedes and other car makers also plan to roll out automated big rig trucks by 2025. The introduction of new technology is a constant, driving force in our world and small business owners need to keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel. This means that they have to learn how to change their business practices to integrate technology into their corporate strategy.
Many small business owners with off-site employees, in industries such as janitorial, building maintenance, security guard, construction, greenhouse, pool maintenance and lifeguards, painting and landscaping, have discovered that using telephone and online timekeeping technology to replace handwritten timecards is a necessity to business survival. Chronotek’s timekeeping system provides a proven and efficient method to save money on payroll by capturing accurate punch times. In addition, the innovative management tools set small business owners in the direction they need to go to make the best business decisions.
Here are the super “High 5” ways that timekeeping technology helps small businesses with remote employees maintain their competitive edge going forward.
- Automated timecards are stamped and created by a phone when the employee calls or logs in. Since the employee initiates the action, he can’t debate his time or “fudge” it. This simple 11 second act alone can save small business owners 2-6% on payroll.
- Job schedules with no-show alerts protect the customer base. A supervisor can act on an alert she receives by text or email when a job isn’t covered, instead of a call from an angry customer.
- Linked job site phones and unauthorized cell phones ensure that remote workers are on the jobsite when clocking in. Stop paying for unworked, unearned time. This is vital to cutting back on overtime and keeping employees under 29 hours.
- Job budgets keep your monthly and annual contracts on track and highlight the jobs that are going over or under budget and need attention. Budgets are the best way to monitor and protect the bottom line.
- GPS tracking for employees who must use cell phones gives the small business owner confidence that the punches are from the jobsite. And because the employees know that they are tracked, it’s a great accountability tool.
Until technology eliminates the need for off-site workers, small business owners should educate themselves on the innovative timekeeping technology tools that will take them into the future. The management of labor hours and job site administration are too important to trust to handwritten timecards and the honor system. This is especially true in today’s tough economic climate; although we have seen our customers grow and prosper using these advances in telephone timekeeping.
Businesses that fail to transition to technology will find themselves broken down on the side of the road, while wiser business owners who grip technology will continue to pick up speed, driving straight down the highway into a bright future.
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