Human resources (HR) outsourcing is an essential aspect of HR management. The hectic schedule of managing a company makes it nearly impossible for a manager to handle all the duties connected with HR. That's where HR outsourcing comes in handy. It allows a business leader to focus on the day-to-day activities that are falling behind due to HR tasks.
In today's competitive market, finding the right partner for HR outsourcing can be challenging. Firms need to determine what they are looking for in a partner and what they need to focus on when evaluating them. You want to work with a company that will make your life easier, not harder. Similar to anything else, it requires the right research and knowledge beforehand so you can identify which firms best fit the job.
Your Needs
The first part of this process is asking yourself, “What do I want to gain from this partner?” “What are our needs?” This is not only a big step in identifying what needs to happen, but the HR consulting partner will want to know this too.
Recruitment and payroll are two big services that you should consider outsourcing. These services take an extensive amount of time, focus, and resources. However, an HR consulting firm can easily handle this for you. The following are additional aspects to consider on your end:
- Budget and costs
- Who will be the key point of contact
- Who will help vet this new partner
- Who will assist with onboarding this new partner
Specific Area Of Expertise And Experience
There is a whole market of HR consulting firms, but not all of them are alike. Some may specialize in specific services, while others are not niche enough. Choosing this partner will be dependent on what your needs are and whether their services align with these needs.
Take a look at their knowledge, portfolio, and experience to gain a better understanding of what companies they have serviced in the past. Are these companies similar to yours? Did they have the same needs? What solutions did they offer? These are all important factors to consider when choosing the right partner.
The best way to determine whether a provider is a good fit for your business is by interviewing them and asking questions about their experience and expertise with similar clients. This will also help you understand how well they will work with your team and handle specific challenges related to your industry or company culture.
Proof Of Trustworthiness
An important trait for anyone who wants to work closely with clients is integrity, a quality that can only be achieved through experience and hard work. The best partners are those who know how important it is for them to maintain their reputation. Not to mention, honesty and trustworthiness are a priority in HR, so you want to make sure your partner exhibits these qualities before you sign on the dotted line. Asking for proof of results and case studies for the firm is not only okay but it’s encouraged. This is a great time for the firm to discuss its skills and accomplishments with other clients.
You need to find a service provider with a good reputation in the industry and one who can meet your needs and expectations. If you still don’t know where to start, ask around or look at their website for testimonials from past clients.
Understanding Changes And Delivering Results
A cookie-cutter approach is not the way to go with an HR partner. You want a firm that will tailor their approach to best fit your needs. Because of this, services will ultimately change and evolve over time to continue delivering great results. Trust your partner in this and talk through it accordingly. The goal is for them to provide solutions, and change is a key sign that it’s working.
Communication Is Set In Stone
Communication in HR is one of the most important factors. How does this firm communicate with your employees? Do they listen to their needs? These details could make or break a business partnership. Take good note of how responsive they are at the start and how regularly they touch base with you. Are you consistently talking about goals and deadlines you agreed to? You should be speaking regularly with your partner and have frequent reporting calls.
Updated On The Latest Trends
The right partner will be well-versed in the latest trends in the field of HR. They should be able to keep up with new laws and regulations, which may affect your business. A good partner will also have access to industry news and information, which they can use to help you make decisions regarding your company. The ability to adapt quickly is critical for any business that wants to succeed in today’s economy.
A good candidate will not only know all the latest legislation, but they’ll also be able to provide ideas on how these changes may affect your company — and what steps you should take now to prepare yourself for what's coming down the pike.
Good Organizational Skills
An experienced HR consultant should be able to organize all the information you give them into a coherent report that outlines what needs to be fixed and how best to address these issues going forward. A good sense of organization means that they will be able to manage their time, prioritize tasks, and work with you to create a realistic plan of action. They should be able to communicate effectively and clearly and be able to answer your questions in a timely manner.
Your Goals Align
An HR partner should understand what matters most to you and what goals you have for your organization. They should be able to provide insights into how they can help move those goals forward while also offering recommendations. They’ll be able to provide you with insights into what you need to do in order to attract and retain top talent, and they’ll also be able to help you develop strategies for building employee engagement.
If you want to find an HR partner who will add value to your business, keep an eye out for the following:
- They have experience working with startups
- They understand your industry
- They have worked with other companies like yours
- They are familiar with your specific challenges
The Price Is Right
Budget is another consideration when choosing an HR consulting partner. With any business relationship, you don't want to get yourself into something that could cost more than expected or take longer than expected. However, it’s also important to have realistic expectations here, too. A good quality partner will not come cheap. If a vendor is charging less than average for their services, then it's possible that they're cutting corners in other areas, such as quality of service or experience level. This is definitely something to steer away from.
While it's tempting to go for the cheapest option, this may not be the best decision. It's important to look at the total cost of ownership and see how much time and money each option will save you in the long run.
New Year, New HR Partner!
Now is the best time to consider your business efforts and find ways to improve next year. This might mean improving your HR solutions, too. GMS is here to help you. Whether you want to revamp your benefits offerings to provide more paid time off (PTO) or begin implementing a shorter workweek, our experts are here every step of the way. Ready to get started? Contact us now.