Leveraging technology to your organisation’s benefit

Article written by Chris Eldridge, CEO of Robert Walters UKI and North America.

The growth of emerging platforms and the increasing digitalisation of the modern world means that the effective use of technology has become pivotal to ensuring sustainable commercial success in the hiring market.

One of the core decisions to make is the selection of a new customer relationship platform (CRM). This can have implications on customer experiences, operational efficiency and revenue growth, as well as potentially other areas of the business. Success in the modern recruitment landscape requires careful consideration of how we implement and leverage these tools while maintaining the human element that drives our industry.  

Here are the core tactics to best implement this approach.  

1) Establish clear technology selection criteria  

Your organisation can’t expect tangible results without clear objectives being in place.

When selecting new platforms like CRMs:  

• Identify specific objectives and what you’re looking to achieve
• Ensure new platforms can grow with your business
• Verify integration capabilities with existing tools like marketing automation and ERP systems
• Prioritise user experience and intuitive interfaces
• Consider vendor reputation and ongoing support packages
• Set up trial phases with users across the business before full launch
  

2) Identify automation opportunities  

Start by identifying the low-hanging fruit and areas ripe for automation:  

• Focus on repetitive, process-heavy areas like data entry
• Target customer service functions that can benefit from automation
• Free up human time for strategic and higher-value tasks
• Review potential AI implementations across the business
• Monitor emerging trends in blockchain and extended reality (XR)

3) Invest in team development  

Success in an increasingly automated workplace requires:  

• Upskill teams with attributes needed for new technology
• Create safe environments to ‘play and explore’ new applications
• Encourage innovation and experimentation
• Provide comprehensive training and support
• Foster a culture of continuous learning

4) Focus on integration and adoption  

Technology implementation success depends heavily on staff engagement:  

• Develop effective onboarding processes
• Maintain clear communication about the ‘why’ behind changes
• Champion feedback from the workforce
• Secure and maintain executive buy-in
• Create support networks across departments

5) Monitor and optimise performance 

Regular review and optimisation ensure sustained success:  

• Track adoption rates and user satisfaction
• Measure efficiency gains and ROI
• Review integration effectiveness
• Assess training needs and impact
• Monitor market for new technological developments

By addressing these areas with intentionality and foresight, talent leaders can drive their organisations toward sustained success in an increasingly digital recruitment landscape. 

The key is to remember that technology should enhance, not replace, the human expertise that defines exceptional recruitment. 

Ready to take the next step in building a tech stack that fuels growth? 
Download our ‘10 Steps to Choosing the Right Tech’ guide - a practical playbook designed for recruitment leaders. Whether you're reviewing your current systems or planning for scale, this guide will help you make confident, strategic decisions so your technology empowers your consultants, supports your business goals, and delivers measurable ROI.