Harness technology to support reward and incentive systems

​Technology plays a vital role in the evolution of employee reward and incentive programmes, ensuring that the processes are supported and systems seamlessly managed so as to effectively deliver on the employee value proposition (EVP). Technology is the enabler of almost all innovative processes and business models and must not be defined narrowly as an ingredient or component, but rather as a tool which can reveal what is possible and support what is already in play.
 
“Reward strategy must be approached holistically,” explains Peet Kruger, Exco member, South African Reward Association (SARA). “It is essential that technology be integrated into the reward value chain and be seen as an enabler. It cannot drive strategy, but it plays a powerful role in the implementation of strategy.”
 
Understanding the role of technology
“The way in which a business uses technology to support and integrate its delivery of “reward products” to employees can play a critical role in the organisation being seen as an employer of choice,” says Kruger. Organisations can harness technology’s omnipresence to integrate reward solutions into all layers of the business. This will then allow for richer employee engagement and support the delivery of reward and remuneration solutions by aligning them more closely with the people - especially those that grew up with technology -and overarching strategic goals of the organisation.
 
In the value chain, reward is assessed along specific lines to ensure it supports business strategy. It has to take many factors into consideration which include: the skills required, the reward needed to attract these skills, the payment structures, the non-financial rewards which have to be blended into the overall package and the steps which both employee and organisation have to take in order to ensure these are done correctly and within specific parameters.
 
Technology: a valuable solution
Not only does technology help to streamline processes and enhance reward management structures, it enables us to quantify and package the reward value proposition in such a way that it is simple to understand and appealing to the end user.  Employees can see how they contribute to overall organisational success, get a clearer picture of how their rewards are structured and see how much the company is investing in them from a total reward perspective.
 
“There is a growing shift towards the Total Reward Statement which consolidates all the data held within the technology systems and uses this to support and improve reward management throughout the business,” concludes Kruger. “It is a visual representation of the total reward investment in each employee and is a step up from the traditional payslip which mainly focuses on the financial breakdown of the salary package of the employee. This educates, sensitises and create an appreciation for the total reward value proposition enjoyed by employees and contributes to improved engagement and retention of employees”.

ENDS
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MEDIA CONTACT: Cathlen Fourie, 012 644 2833, cathlen@thatpoint.co.za, www.atthatpoint.co.za  

For more information on SARA please visit:
Website: www.sara.co.za  
Twitter: @SA_reward
LinkedIn: South African Reward Association
Facebook: SARA – South African Reward Association