--- title: Data driven HR practices for businesses | myhrtoolkit description: The term “big data” is used a lot in business and marketing, but does it really apply to HR? Learning from marketers – Using data to understand behaviours image: https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/hubfs/data%20driven%20hr.jpg --- ** Call us ** Menu ** [0345 225 0414](tel:03452250414) - [Customer Support **](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/support) - [Login **](https://app.myhrtoolkit.com/user_portal/) [![myhrtoolkit-agilio-logo-colour-800px](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos%20and%20Brand/myhrtoolkit-agilio-logo-colour-800px.png?width=800&height=82&name=myhrtoolkit-agilio-logo-colour-800px.png "myhrtoolkit-agilio-logo-colour-800px")](http://myhrtoolkit.com) [![myhrtoolkit-agilio-logo-white](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos%20and%20Brand/myhrtoolkit-agilio-logo-white.png?width=1000&height=103&name=myhrtoolkit-agilio-logo-white.png "myhrtoolkit-agilio-logo-white")](http://myhrtoolkit.com) # Data driven HR practices for businesses | myhrtoolkit Published on October 10, 2014 by [Fiona Sanderson](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/blog/author/fiona-sanderson) **    [HR systems](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/blog/tag/hr-systems) ![](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/hubfs/data%20driven%20hr.jpg) The term “big data” is thrown around a lot in business and marketing, but does it really apply to HR? As it turns out, **data driven HR practices** are becoming more and more important for business operations. ### Learning from marketers – Using data to understand behaviours As technology improves, the ability to collect data on everything becomes easier and easier. But HR is dealing with people, not IT or data, so how is this really going to help HR managers? Well, many marketing teams collect huge amounts of data all the time, and they’re not necessarily IT people. However, they are very good at understanding behaviour and insights from data analysis; this helps them make important decisions to drive their business forward. HR can perform the same types of analysis to understand staff behaviours, patterns and trends which are just as important for business progression. Collecting data seems to be something only the big corporations are doing. However, many SMEs should also be looking at tracking staff behaviour, storing data, and [managing documents](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/features/document-management/) more efficiently. If they’re not doing this, they’re potentially missing out on crucial insights that could help their business. ### Using HR software for data driven HR [HR Software](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com) can help track and analyse your staff. According to the Argyll survey, only 32% of HR staff are looking at improving data and analytics. HR technology and HR software can be used for performance management and learning management; and this is really just scraping the surface. HR software can improve [employee engagement](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/blog/employee-engagement-strategies) and help promote a positive company culture. The data you get from using HR software not only makes your job easier but helps you identify areas of improvement in the company. The software can help you manage [absenteeism](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/blog/how-to-reduce-absenteeism-at-work) and track appraisals easily. This information can be used to improve procedures and help staff feel valued. Data doesn’t have to be cold hard numbers, but can be an easy way of organising the information you would normally have on spreadsheets. Find out more about how to organise your data using HR software by heading to our [HR database software](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/employee-database-software) feature page. #### Related articles [How to use your absence data](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/blog/absence-data) [*Technology in HR management - how does it save money?*](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/blog/technology-in-hr-management) [*How HR software will help you achieve your business goals*](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/blog/hr-software-achieve-organisational-goals) Share this: [![](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/hubfs/social%20share%20icons/linkedin-share-icon.png) ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/blog/data-driven-hr&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin) [![](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/hubfs/social%20share%20icons/twitter-share-icon.png) ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/blog/data-driven-hr&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter) [![](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/hubfs/social%20share%20icons/facebook-share-icon.png) ](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/blog/data-driven-hr&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook) ![Picture of Fiona Sanderson](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/hubfs/HR%20Toolkit%20-%20106.jpg) #### Written by [Fiona Sanderson](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/blog/author/fiona-sanderson) Fiona is Marketing Manager at myhrtoolkit. Her areas of expertise include HR systems, productivity, employment law updates, and creating HR infographics. [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionasanderson/) ![Free Data Migration](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/2662000/hubfs/MYhrtoolkit%20Assets%20july%202019/data-migration.png?width=114&height=89&name=data-migration.png) ###### free data migration ![Unlimited Free Support](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/2662000/hubfs/MYhrtoolkit%20Assets%20july%202019/free-support.png?width=114&height=89&name=free-support.png) ###### unlimited free support ![3 month MOT](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/2662000/hubfs/MYhrtoolkit%20Assets%20july%202019/mot.png?width=114&height=89&name=mot.png) ###### 3 month MOT ## Call 0345 225 0414 for more information [![Start Free Trial](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5034683/7a8a8231-ca09-4f3d-86b2-3c7e203a47be.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/5034683/7a8a8231-ca09-4f3d-86b2-3c7e203a47be) #### Myhrtoolkit features #### Information #### Resources t: 0330 236 8399 e: [enquiries@myhrtoolkit.com](mailto:enquiries@myhrtoolkit.com) [**](https://www.facebook.com/myhrtoolkit) [**](https://twitter.com/myhrtoolkit) [**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/myhrtoolkit-limited) © 2021 myhrtoolkit Limited, HR software on demand. 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