Increasingly, more and more companies are deciding to partner with a HR Consulting Ohio company for a number of reasons: from growing the staff on a smaller budget, bringing in experts who can hit the ground running, to having access to technology that’s otherwise unaffordable.
But choosing a human resources outsourcing company isn’t a decision that should be made quickly, or lightly. Signing on the dotted line with the wrong company can lead to further headaches than your company is already experiencing. Here’s how to find the best HR outsourcing partner for your business.
1. Take (honest) stock of your current business situation.
Before you start researching other companies, take the time to research yours. Put pen to paper and write down your strengths and weaknesses, your short-term and long-term goals, your needs vs. wants, and your wish list. And be brutally honest — especially about your budget. The right HR outsourcing partner will be able to work with whatever you have. Having a clear plan for what you need to accomplish will not only help you ask the right questions but also keep you on-task.
2. Start with the basics.
3. Find the right match for your business type.
Human resource outsourcing companies are not a one-size-fits-all proposition or, at least, they shouldn’t be. Before you even begin your search, it’s important to clearly outline your company’s size, industry, needs, challenges, and goals. An ideal partner should have experience with your type of business or even have similarities to your business. A mid-sized HR outsourcing partner, for example, knows about the day-to-day for a company of its size, as opposed to a giant HR corporation. And, if you already have your company’s profile on paper, it’s possible to make an even better match.
4. Find a partner who wants to help you solve your problems.
5. Do your homework.
A new business pitch can sound great, but does a company have happy customers to back up their claims? If you meet with a potential HR outsourcing company and like what you see, ask to speak with current clients (a denial of that request is an easy way to red-flag a partner that might not be as good as their marketing). But don’t just settle for what the company provides. Take to the web to search for company reviews, look at Better Business Bureau ratings, and see if you can find other references via search.
6. Ask them to provide details.
As you progress in the selection process, ask a potential partner to clearly outline their procedures, workflows, and how they will integrate into your company. Remember that this is about you and your needs, so don’t feel shy about asking the tough questions. Some areas that could lead to headaches are software communication issues, time zone differences, or typical response times. Another important area that should be disclosed early and often is the company’s policies for handling sensitive employee information. If your industry requires it, ask for certifications.
7. Look at the big picture.
While a great HR outsourcing partner can customize their services to fit your company where it is now, it’s also important to look to the future, especially if you’re growing. If you don’t need help with recruitment now, will you need it down the road? Partnering with a company that can help you now and later is a huge win and can save even more money down the road.
The bottom line? Choose a human resources outsourcing company that can answer all your questions and offer proven solutions, not untested ideas. Look for reputation and reliability. And remember that a good partner doesn’t want to fit you into their box, they want to fit into yours.
Corban OneSource understands that your business is unique with unique challenges. Our flexible HR outsourcing services can be personalized to whatever benefits your business most. Contact us today and let us take the burden of HR management off your shoulders so you can focus on the big picture.
