Attracting younger generations into the construction and builders’ merchant industry has been a long-standing challenge, with common misconceptions swaying career choices. Here, Andy Scothern, founder of eCommonSense, an ECI Software Solutions company, explores why now is the time for merchant businesses to seriously consider investing in their digital infrastructure to secure the competitive advantage.For merchant businesses seeking to attract the best millennial and Generation Z talent, misconceptions around a lack of career progression and out-dated processes can severely affect the recruitment process.According to PWC’s study, Millennials at work; Reshaping the workplace, opportunities for career progression was found to be the top priority for graduates considering a workplace, while over half of participants said that an employer’s provision of state-of-the art technology was an important factor.While vast financial investments in cutting edge technology is unlikely to be possible for many small to medium sized merchants, digital solutions offer opportunities to help make your business stand-out in an increasingly competitive labour market, gaining a competitive advantage as industry leaders.Moving up the ladderCareer advancement opportunities are of vital importance for young people, with many seeking ongoing training opportunities within their role.Without a robust digital infrastructure, merchants run the risk of failing to convey the image of a progressive and adaptable company, committed to improvement. Such rigid loyalty to long standing, less digitally advanced systems will almost certainly deter new younger recruits, who were born with the Internet and a fluency with technology.Should a prospective candidate arrive for an interview to find the business relies on disorganised manual processes, with paper-based filing and predominantly phone-based communication systems, there’s a strong chance they won’t perceive longevity in the role or the company.A fully integrated business management system can join up all departments and customer touch points, ensuring that both current and future employees experience a professional, efficient and well-organised working environment.Flexible working arrangementsFor younger generations, flexible working is increasingly important. Whether prospective employees are looking to work from home on a more full-time basis, or seeking a hybrid way of working between on and off-site, employers will struggle to meet this demand without cloud-based business management systems.As highlighted throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the implementation of cloud-based solutions facilitated a transition to remote working across many different sectors. Allowing staff to successfully undertake their role from home, these tools provided a lifeline for many businesses and opened new opportunities for employees.Being able to log-in to an ERP system from any location worldwide allows all departments to view key business data, from stock levels to the sales pipeline. While this might have taken some getting used to, cloud-based systems highlight the fact that staff are no longer required on-site on a permanent basis or for a fixed number of hours each day.Commitment to employee wellbeingWork-related stress is on the rise, with a study from Health and Safety Executive finding that the current rates of self-reported work-related stress, depression or anxiety have surpassed pre-COVID-19 levels.To counter this, studies have shown, young professionals place greater value on personal development and sustaining a good work/life balance, with an employee’s commitment to personal learning being more highly regarded than financial bonus reward schemes.Fully integrated digital systems undeniably provide greater support for employees – creating more efficient and timely workflows whilst reducing the risk of human error. Smoother, user-friendly digital infrastructure gives you and your employees more time to dedicate to progression and growth.From attracting the best talent, to scaling and opening new sites, digital solutions are increasingly being viewed as the key to future success. Find out how ECI Software Solutions can help your business here.
For further information visit ECI Solutions.
