VCS Blog

The more employees a retail business employs, the more complicated it can be to schedule. It sounds like a straightforward concept to make a schedule based upon employee availability and skill set but there are several hidden little pieces of a massive puzzle that all need to be put together. An Excel sheet seems like an easy alternative but whenever there is a shift change or call-out, the schedule will have to be updated manually which can be disastrous to fix and reassemble.

In an industry where plasticity is the norm, are you getting the most out of your scheduling efforts? Probably not. But, there are ways to minimize the hassle with employee scheduling software.

Are you sick of the status quo 9-5 work environment? Well, it may be beneficial to implement a flex scheduling attendance program. A relaxed approach to scheduling offers your employees the chance to work when it best fits their schedule, and it’s fairly popular too. In fact, a full “86 percent of the 2014 Best Companies to Work For offer employees some type of flexible schedule, including working from home one or more days a week.” Many young parents and professionals have trouble fitting their work schedule and personal schedule together. With a flex schedule system you can alleviate the stress many employees may face throughout the day, while keeping mission critical business activities on track. You can compose your own guidelines that will ensure meetings aren’t missed, while giving employees some freedom with their schedule. In this post, we will discuss how both employers and employees can benefit from a flex scheduling system.

The time clock has experienced quite the evolution since its invention in 1888. The world has changed too. As workforces have expanded, time and clock systems have become more efficient. With the progression of technology, the employee time clock has incorporated new innovations to boost functionality. For instance, within the past decade, on-site employees have witnessed the time clock grow to incorporate biometric punch options, which are used to verify the identity of the employee and prevent “buddy-punching.” In this post we will discuss the pitfalls of archaic time clocks while shedding light on the benefits of modern time and attendance systems.

What is procrastination, really? A bad habit? A lazy tendency? An inherited trait? Statistics show that 20% of people characterize themselves as chronic procrastinators. Interestingly, 85%-95% of college students surveyed state that procrastination plays a major role in their lives. Having always struggled with procrastination myself, I can honestly say that these are my people. Seriously. In just the short time since I started writing this article, I’ve done a load of laundry, organized my desk again, checked my email, and looked through the pictures I took at last night’s Shinedown concert. It was a great concert, by the way, and you wouldn’t believe how loud … Stop! Wait a minute. It’s a story for another time. I need to regroup. FOCUS.

Productivity can have an effect on both small businesses and large businesses, especially those that do not utilize job-scheduling software. Scheduling systems help business owners stay on top of daily tasks by providing the tools necessary to organize staff. Scheduling automation also encourages better time management in employees since workers know when they are working. An added benefit is an increase in job satisfaction because all employees appreciate advance notice.

Here at VCS Software, we are constantly seeing business owners grappling with the management of their projects. So how can you avoid falling behind in a modern world where speed and connectivity are paramount? In this post we will discuss five time traps that sabotage business productivity. We will cover time traps for both employees and employers.

Fluid schedules are the norm for the retail industry, so you need to make sure you are getting the most out of your current scheduling strategy. If you aren't, there's no need to worry, as retail scheduling software can help.

So, you are a retail manager who is spending far too much time working on schedules, approving schedules, attempting to juggle shift trades, and keeping up with the staff turnover, VCS Software has the solution.

Continue reading to learn how retail scheduling software can help your business

Working a 9-5, 40 hour workweek can sometimes be a daunting task. Doing similar tasks every day, or even a variety of tasks, can be cumbersome and downright boring. Attention spans are at an all time low thanks to smartphones, TVs, and (arguably) the number one distraction, the internet. So how do we combat this reality? There are three things you can do right now to be an active participant in this raging productivity battle: