AI to manage your hiring

Would you trust AI to manage your hiring process?

Modern technology is a wonderful thing. It’s helped us connect across the globe, create virtual worlds and even land on Mars. But are there some advances in technology that may hold us back? Would you use AI to manage your hiring process?

In recent times, more and more businesses are using AI within their recruitment processes. This helps to sort through job applications and find the best candidates.

Companies such as McDonald’s, JP Morgan and Kraft Heinz have adopted these processes. It is only a matter of time before we see AI technology taking an even more prevalent role when it comes to finding a job.

AI to manage your hiring

How AI is changing the recruiter skill set of the future? As AI continues to automate the recruiting process, recruiter skill sets are changing rapidly.

How does it work?

A recent report by the BBC followed the experience of Andrea Murad, a journalist who went through an AI recruitment process to get through to the next stage of hiring. In this example, she was given a range of tests to complete at home to analyse her personality. The results of which would either give her the thumbs up to continue on, or would drop her out of the running.

Run by a New York based first called Pymetrics, the questions that Murad answered are designed to evaluate different aspects of a person’s personality and intelligence. This includes their tolerance of risk and how a person reacts to different situations.

Not all AI processes are the same. They can be tailored depending on the skill sets the recruiter is looking for in their new hire. Some use algorithms to analyse how candidates answer preselected questions in a recorded video interview. As well as, grading their responses and even their facial movements to make decisions on whether to move them forward to the next stage or not.

The benefits of using AI to manage your hiring

Some of the benefits of using this form of technology in the recruitment process are obvious. For example, allowing a machine to weed out some of the less appropriate applicants saves an awful lot of time for a firm. Especially if they have received an excessive amount of submissions for a role.

It also removes any potential unconscious bias that may have previously occurred if a person was to manage the first stages of the process, completely taking the emotional side out of hiring.

It can also lead to more positive experiences for the candidate. Allowing them to get through the process faster and have a better understanding of their suitability to a role.

The downsides

Whilst the introduction of this form of technology can produce positive results, there are also risks involved.

The most obvious is a lack of accuracy. Although AI has come a long way in recent years, it is absolutely far from perfect. It can be lacking in reliability – especially when it comes to something as important as hiring the right person for a job. As well as, when using AI to manage your hiring process, you take away the personal interaction.

Due to the limited list of keywords and algorithms that the technology relies on, this can provide loopholes for candidates who are clued up on the process and let through people who aren’t as appropriate, whilst shutting out people who should be let through.

Hiring in this way also produces a lack of accountability for the hiring managers, potentially leading to poor decision making.

The future of recruitment

Management are worried they could be missing out on recruiting the best talent

It’s safe to say that in the world we live in now, faster and more accurate recruitment is absolutely something that we need. By using technology to achieve this is certainly not something that should be taken off the table.

As with any new process, there will always be challenges. However, with challenges come solutions and the opportunity to create something better and more appropriate.

The technology behind AI is constantly improving and transforming how businesses recruit. As well as how they support, develop and retrain their workforce. We have no doubts that this new approach to hiring is here to stay.

We suggest if you’re looking at taking on AI to manage your hiring in your business, is to do your due diligence. Make sure this is something that will move you forward, rather than holding you back.

If you want to speak to LIS about any of our support or software development services, contact The LIS Help Desk today. We provide a range of solutions that can be tailored to suit your specific needs and requirements.

LIS – DIGITAL SECURING YOUR DIGITAL WORLD

#AIinterviews #CanWeDoItBetter #ComputerSaysNo

Your new PC is slow

There’s no better feeling than getting a new PC. Until you start it the first time and realise it’s full of software you didn’t want or need! To your frustration your new PC is slow. You would expect it to come with a fresh installation of Windows and a clutter-free hard drive. But often manufacturers will preload their computers with all kinds of unnecessary programs, often called ‘bloatware’ and it will slow down your computer. Our new video shows why bloatware is on your computer, and what to do about it.

PC slowed down by bloatware? Almost all manufacturers are guilty of doing this to some degree. There may be lots of strange shortcut icons on your desktop when you first start your PC. Or if the All Programs section of the Start Menu lists lots of non-Microsoft applications that you never use, then your PC may be bursting with bloatware.

Why is bloatware still a threat?

All computer manufacturers are guilty of installing software on new machines. Lenovo for example is a company that installed bloatware on its devices that made users susceptible to man-in-the-middle attacks. Another question to ask is, why is every new PC in this country pre-installed with German, French, Italian and Dutch office trials. If bloatware isn’t secure, it can put a PC at risk. All software installed on a PC must be kept up to date and secure – including bloatware.

Are you protected?

What Anti-Virus and other PC “protection” software does your new PC have installed? Many machines are shipped with massive dead weight old fashioned Anti-Virus which saps 30%+ of your performance when compared to a fast modern cloud managed product such as LIS managed Anti-Virus.

Like most PC problems, mobile devices are also susceptible to bloatware. While Android bloatware could be relatively harmless and just show ads, it can be used to expose users to risks. For example, some bloatware that can be used to spy on device owners could technically be used for legitimate purposes, such as managing the device.

How to detect bloatware

Is your PC slowed down by bloatware? Often, bloatware is identified by performance degradation. For example, devices weighed down by bloatware can take a long time to boot up, have slowed reaction times or storage issues.

Trialware is a common form of bloatware. Such software applications are included on devices for free when they are purchased and work for a specific trial period until a license is purchased. Adware that pops up on websites or on devices’ screens is another form of bloatware, as are system utilities and applications pre-installed on devices by manufacturers.

Bloatware can be detected by end users by looking through the installed applications and identifying any applications they did not install. It can also be detected by an enterprise IT team using a mobile device management tool that lists installed applications.

Make sure your computers are set up by professionals

This time of year, businesses are reviewing their IT equipment. Is your system running slow or in need of an upgrade? Don’t be fooled by large retail outlets special offers. Their solutions may not be right for you and most of them do not offer monthly IT support contracts.

Contact the LIS Help Desk for friendly, knowledgeable and impartial advice about IT systems. We can advise you on the best hardware and software solutions to suit your business. Our technicians will set up your PCs so they are ready for you to plug and play.

A good professional install will review and remove all bloatware. All PCs shipped by LIS come direct from the manufacturer but are then cleaned, secured and prepared to your business standard by our team before being released to you

LIS – SECURING YOUR DIGITAL WORLD

#Bloatware #Computers #Technology #ITsupport

 

Five key IT areas

Five key IT areas you must address in your business’s 2021 growth strategy5 key IT areas guide. As we finally approach the end of – what we can all agree has been a difficult year – it’s likely that the last thing you want to think about is your IT next year. However, being the IT super-fans that we are, we’d suggest that now is the best time to do this. We’re about to begin a new year.

It’s going to be another challenging one. So what greater way to start than with a clear strategy for the months ahead? A solid IT strategy is a critical part of your business growth plans for the year.

Download our new guide to find out the 5 key IT areas you must address in your business.

5 key IT areas you must address

How was 2020 for your business?

It didn’t take long for the optimism of a new decade to wear off. By the end of 2020, companies everywhere were reeling as they reckoned with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sadly, the impact of the virus was too much for many firms, leaving millions of workers unemployed and driving thousands of businesses to close their doors. Those companies that stayed afloat had to act quickly in order to enable their remote workforce and maintain operations.

Heading into 2021, there is little precedent for projecting the future. The economy is showing some signs of stability, but there are lingering fears over continued challenges or further surprises. Now is the time to investigate to see how five key IT areas can help your company in 2021.

Making sense of it all

Through all the confusion, though, there are still some basic concepts that will shape the year to come. Digital operations are more important than ever, with many transformative changes accelerating over the past year. Fair treatment for all is an absolute mandate, making diversity, equity and inclusion a top priority. The influence of technology is massive, forcing new approaches to regulatory behaviour. When is the last time you analysed your IT system? Have you locked the secrets behind the five key IT areas?

As the industry emerges from a chaotic year, it will begin a rebuilding phase, but this rebuilding goes beyond restoration. There is little opportunity to return to the old way of doing things. Thanks to changes that no one would have wished for and fuelled by the requirements of a digital society, the technology industry will doubtless take a new shape in the coming year. This isn’t rebuilding to reclaim the past; this is rebuilding for the future.

Book a FREE IT audit to cover the five key IT areas

All our clients benefit from our experience and knowledge. Our team have been working in the industry for over 25 years. We pride ourselves on delivering nothing but the very best customer service and solutions to our customers whatever the situation may be. Contact the LIS Help Desk to book your FREE IT audit and discover the secrets of the five key IT areas to help your business. Our services include managed IT services, network support and telecoms.

LIS – SECURING YOUR DIGITAL WORLD

#FreeGuide #ITStrategy #BusinessGrowth

Upgrading your software

Upgrading your software can cause issues

Upgrading your software is a huge decision for any business. When an automatic update appears on your screen, should you press update? Recently, some of the big software companies have released updates that have caused issues. Here are four stories that were in the news recently.

A Windows 10 update that was only released 2 weeks ago is breaking some PCs. Matt Hanson from TechRadar take a look.

An Unexpected’ iPhone and iPad update threatens app glitches. James Clayton & Leo Kelion, Technology reporters from the BBC publishes a recent article.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux runs into Boothole patch trouble. Steven Vaughan-Nichols for Linux and Open Source wrote an article for ZDNet.

Norton Antivirus fails to update on Windows 10. Aleksandar Ognjanovic a Troubleshooting Expert  wrote a story for Windows Report.

Upgrading your software

Given upgrades are here to stay, the key is not to regard them as a nuisance, but to recognise that by investing in them, you will benefit your business.

The pros and cons of upgrading your software

To help you make the right decision we’ve created a list of the pros and cons involved:

Pro: Security

New software is always more secure than its predecessors, because the longer a piece of software is on the market, the longer hackers and other bad actors have to figure out its weaknesses. With cyber-security being one of the biggest threats to businesses today (In 2016, 36% of all crimes were “cyber enabled fraud”, while “computer misuse” accounted for a further 17%) that’s a PRO you can’t ignore! Upgrading your software will help your systems with threats from cyber crime.

Con: New software costs money

Software costs can fluctuate between developers and product versions. Some programs might include a discounted price for future upgrades, or you may have to buy the software outright, which can quickly add up when you have to upgrade multiple computers. Making this kind of bulk purchase comes down to whether you have the budget, which can easily dictate how realistic software upgrades are for your company. To overcome these hurdles, Clockwork IT also offers a rental option to its customers allowing them to implement a new system with minimal upfront costs.

Pro: New capabilities

How do businesses justify charging you for an updated piece of software? By providing something that’s substantially better than earlier versions! The latest programs will undoubtedly address previous flaws, increase functionality, and take user feedback into account.

Con: But do you need it?

Of course, while the newest software may be the best, there is no guarantee that you need it. If your “old” program still works fine, and none of the new features will be useful to you, why throw money away on an updated product? In this case, there will almost certainly be something better to spend your money on!

Pro: Productivity and efficiency

The bottom line is this: as software functionality improves, it should deliver greater gains in productivity and efficiency. Some companies could save thousands of hours of work with a simple upgrade – at that point, the question becomes one of economics. Upgrading your software will keep your business up to date with the latest technolgu. This will ensure your team can produce the best product and service for your industry.

Con: Hurdles

While new software tends to be better, and can improve productivity, there will always be a “learning curve” to take into account. If the new programs are very different, it will require significant man-hours to understand. As well as major input from IT specialists, you may want to ask yourself: is it worth it? In other words, do the productivity gains you think you will reap from installation outweigh the height of the hurdles you will need to jump to get to them?

Managed updates

At LIS, we only roll out new software and updates when we know they can help make your business more efficient. This will save you time and money. Our clients benefit from managed upgrades.

If you would like to learn more about the software solutions that could be helping your business towards a more profitable future, contact the LIS Help Desk.

LIS – SECURING YOUR DIGITAL WORLD

#microsoft #updates #BlueScreenOfDeath

Salesforce upgrade

Salesforce upgrade the Work.com platform

The recent Salesforce upgrade has new tools that help workers stay productive from anywhere while also enabling safer in-person experiences. Salesforce has released a number of upgrades to its Work.com platform in an effort to help organizations grow. This will help businesses while returning to the office safely.

Work.com is already being used by cities and companies around the world. Your team will be safe with technology for employee wellness, shift, management manual contact tracing and more. In fact, Salesforce recently announced Work.com for Vaccines to help orchestrate the “largest vaccination campaign in human history”. Governments and healthcare organizations are still preparing to distribute a Covid-19 vaccine, once found.

TechRadar take a closer look at the best CRM software of 2020: Customer relationship management solutions. TechRadar have also compiled some other articles that will help businesses

Salesforce upgrade

Salesforce announced multiple updates to its Work.com solution this week designed to
help companies adjust to the new normal (Image credit: Salesforce)

Employee Workspace is a central digital hub where employees can access the tools and resources, they need to work remotely including productivity apps like Google Workspace, learning platforms such as myTrailhead, payroll systems and more. The workspace also provides personalized communications, embedded collaboration apps and notifications.

Salesforce’s new Employee Helpdesk uses Einstein AI-powered chatbots to provide employees with quick and easy access to knowledge articles and escalation paths across any department. Employees can even use the helpdesk to ask questions about IT support or HR policies and benefits.

Safer in-person experiences with the Salesforce upgrade

While Twitter and other companies have said that they will allow their employees to work from home indefinitely, other organizations are now preparing to return to the office which is why Salesforce has added new communication apps to Work.com to enable safer in-person experiences for both customers and employees.

Brick and mortar businesses can use the company’s Queue Management software to minimize physical lines by creating virtual queues to protect customers and manage onsite capacity. Using the service, customers can easily reserve their place in line from anywhere and get updated on queue status via SMS to avoid having to wait outside for long periods of time.

Communicating updated hours of operation, new appointment times and safety reminders can be done using Saleforce’s Broadcast Messaging. Organizations can use the service to communicate with their employees and customers. They can use their preferred channels such as text, WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger. Businesses can also use Broadcast Messaging to manage follow-up questions or service requests with automated chatbots and personalized service communications.

Finally, Digital Trust Cards allow local store employees to quickly update websites and apps with safety protocols specific to their location. Such as social distancing guidelines and cleaning policies to help build customer trust and confidence that they will be safe when vising in-person businesses.

EVP and GM of Platform, Trailhead and AppExchange at Salesforce, Sarah Franklin explained in a press release how the company’s latest upgrade to Work.com will help businesses thrive in the new normal, saying:

“The pandemic has accelerated everything, and every company is re-imagining work in the new all-digital world. The  new technology helps employees be productive anywhere. It will create a safe in-person experiences for customers, Work.com is helping companies get back to growth and thrive in the new normal.”

The IT doctor will see you know

With so many choices available for a CRM system, which is the right one for your business? We invest time going down the gym, eating the right food and trying to stay healthy. However, how healthy is you IT system?

Winter is on its way; some people are having their flu jab. Contact the LIS Help Desk to book your IT audit. We will make sure you have the right security in place to stay healthy. Upgrade your software to stay efficient and prescribe any other long-term treatment to make sure your business stays fit.

LIS – SECURING YOUR DIGITAL WORLD

#Salesforce #CRM #Business #ITsupport