By James McKerrell, CEO, CRS Technologies

If there is one key takeaway from 2014 for businesses it is the need to retain focus on core services/ solutions – that which makes up the fabric of a business, the reason it operates and its value proposition.

The HR environment last year was dominated by the introduction and adoption of HR standards. It set the scene for the rollout of HR services and expansion of this important facet of any credible venture.

2014 was a landmark year for HR, in many respects. Many businesses were able to not only ensure value add from a local point of view, but also engage successfully with international vendor partners.

This has helped to keep the technology factor strong within HR practice, reinforcing the adoption and application of standards.

The introduction of standards, along with enhanced legislation and innovative solutions, will mean that companies will have to be on the ball in 2015 – keep a close eye on developments and remain vigilant to change and its impact.

It is important to keep this in context. From a legislation point of view change is constant and there is never any let up in terms of understanding what the legislation is, why it is significant and how best to comply.

Failure to do this could have severe consequences for any business.

In terms of technology, the relevance is clear. On the one hand it is important to keep abreast of innovation in order to improve operations and secure market share to maintain a leadership position in markets. On the other hand it is equally important to know what trends are emerging within industries, those fuelled by technology, and why these are significant.

A good example is the adoption of the Cloud within the HR space and the level of control extended to management, in terms of HR resources.

This will be a growing area of focus in 2015 as businesses learn to be far more strategic in their thinking and their overall operation. Make no mistake, this area will gain traction going forward.

Ultimately, the lesson from 2014 that businesses can learn from and take with them into 2015 is to avoid being side-tracked by exciting and attractive add-ons. Manage these more carefully to ensure full compatibility and ease of delivery, and do not lose ground with core offerings.

It would not be an outlandish statement to suggest that most businesses would wish for a stable economy and leadership in the country to get to grips with delivery.