INSIGHTs & INTUITION Q.

Which HR innovation or technology of the past few years has made the most difference for your organization?

Over the past few years, the Human Resources department at Basin Electric Power Cooperative has created procedures and software to move from hard-copy personnel, benefits and payroll files toward the electronic storage of employee files.

By categorizing each employee file, we control who can and cannot see the documents, improve record retention, create instant availability and reduce the need for storage space.

This allows for better organization and easier accessibility of important documents.

This initiative fits with our goals of employee focus, continuous improvement and a forward look. Cooperatives are about people, recognizing that growth comes when we find solutions as a team.

At Northern State University, we implemented an online workflow system that allows electronic signatures on myriad HR documents, including paperwork for new hires, student labor authorizations and travel authorizations. This system has reduced the time needed to complete those documents by days.

Authorized signatures can even be obtained via a smartphone. It also makes it easier to locate a document while it’s in the workflow process – using a click of the mouse rather than walking from office to office trying to find a printed document.

Susan Bostian Associate Vice President of Finance and Administration / Director of Human Resources

Northern State University

Aberdeen, S.D.

Lindsay Mack Vice President/Human Resources Director Cornerstone Bank Fargo, N.D.

The greatest technology change we have made recently is implementing a complete human resources information system (HRIS).

Our HRIS has improved our efficiency and productivity by streamlining our payroll processing tasks and benefits administration. Over time, we have added additional modules such as the performance management and recruitment modules. The recruitment module has simplified the process of collecting and tracking applications.

Another module we have added is the document storage system. We now scan and upload all employee documents to our HRIS system, eliminating paper personnel files.

Our HRIS system also helps us remain compliant with laws such as the Affordable Care Act.

Introducing Private Banking

“The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index for January fell, but remained above growth neutral, according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy.

“The overall index sank to 51.5 from December’s 54.2. This was the 11th time in the past 12 months the index has remained above growth neutral. The index ranges between 0 and 100, with 50.0 representing growth neutral.

"’Our surveys over the last several months indicate the Rural Mainstreet economy is expanding outside of agriculture. However, the negative impacts of tariffs and low agriculture commodity prices continue to weaken the farm sector,’ said Ernie Goss, PhD, Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business.”

– Creighton University Economic Outlook

Rural mainstreet, economic indicators, jan. 2016 - jan. 2019 (50.0 = growth neutral)

labor force participation north south dakota wisconsin united states

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics via Haver Analytics. Updated July 2, 2018. Source of graph: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis

Earnings per job - Minnesota

-5.0% or less -4.9% to -2.5% -2.4% to 0%

Population gains outside of the seven-county metro are in “recreational” counties and where non-white populations are concentrated.

Data: U.S. Census Decennial Census & American Community Survey 5-year

Source of map: Center for Rural Policy and Development, RuralMN.org entirely rural urban/town/rural mix Minnesota Town/rual mix entirely urban

Earnings per job shows an increasing gap between entirely urban counties and the rest of the state. Agricultural income can have a significant impact on entirely rural counties, which can be seen between 2008 and 2014. Data: Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Personal Income and Employment