EHS in Tech: Can Better Strategy Equal Better Efficiency?

Technology companies and telecom providers embody the definition of efficiency. In today’s digital business world, efficiency is exactly what you’re selling. If you’re developing, say, new software, you know your customers won’t buy it unless it’s an improvement over what they already have. If you’re in the business of providing phone services, your clients likely aren’t interested in changing unless it cuts their phone bill, reduces overhead, or simplifies their call flow.

In essence, it’s your goal to improve how others work.

But how often do you practice what you preach? Where have you found ways to improve your own efficiency?

One of the most overlooked components in the telecom and technology industry is simplifying your EHS strategy. Streamlining your EHS operations can give you a scalable solution to plug profit leaks you may not have known existed.

Take a closer look at some of the current EHS challenges of tech companies and how improving efficiency may be the answer to a safer, more profitable work environment.

The Challenge: Rapid Growth Means Lagging Systematization

Technology continues to grow at breakneck speed. CompTIA’s Industry Index Report indicates the industry is poised to grow 5.0% this year alone. PwC’s 2017 CEO Survey revealed that 87% of CEOs are confident about their growth for the next year.

Even so, growth rarely presents itself in a straight path.

Expanding a business too fast can be just as damaging as not expanding at all, especially when it comes to upholding environment, health and safety. A sudden increase in revenue growth can lead to an inability to scale existing EHS systems, putting your company and its employees at financial risk.

If your EHS systems aren’t growing as fast as your revenue, prepare for setbacks. Everything from routine maintenance and inspections to employee safety training to compliance checks can easily be overlooked when business is hot. 

Streamlining your EHS program gives you a scalable solution that combats the ill effects of rapid growth. For example, using training tracking software for knowledge and training management offers employees across the spectrum an easy way to access related documents and information. New employees ramp up faster on a single system rather than a patchwork of filing cabinets, antiquated software, paper forms, and clipboards. By having a single, systematized approach to EHS, important details are less likely to fall through the cracks so you can grow with confidence.

The Challenge: A Mounting Talent Shortage

Today’s talent shortage in telecom and tech has reached new lows. Despite the majority of CEOs stating their positive outlook for growth, 80% also claimed their number one fear was not finding the available talent to reach their growth potential. A recent survey from job-posting giant Indeed revealed that 83% of recruiting and hiring managers feel their business has suffered because of the candidate shortage.

Of course, not having the right people on board can affect every aspect of a company’s operations, but it’s particularly felt in EHS strategies. Companies are getting even more competitive to attract new talent, including increasing spending on salaries, benefits, and other areas. Because of this reallocation of funds, it’s critical that EHS operations remain as efficient as possible to combat losses associated with non-compliance fines, job site incidents, damaged assets, and costs of safety training and turnover.

To fight back against the talent shortage, companies must become places people want to work, and it starts with providing a safe, engaging work environment. Improving EHS efficiency is key in cultivating a unique safety culture your employees want to be a part of. When you can establish a high level of safety in your facility, you’re more inclined to find the right candidates rather than convenient ones.

EHS software is a key component in creating such a culture. It’s the central system of EHS operations, making it a daily activity that your safety team relies on. Because it collects all health and safety-related data, your employees can get up-to-the-minute reports on EHS activities to determine where they need to focus efforts and make improvements at any given time.

The technology industry is changing how people work for the better, but these changes are often accompanied by new complications. Your best chance at combating these new issues is by future-proofing as much of your operations as possible, especially in backline areas like your EHS department that can be easily overlooked. When you’re set for scalability, growth doesn’t seem so dangerous.