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Timing is Everything. When to Hire an HR Consultant

This month’s blog,  “When to Hire an HR Consultant” offers some valuable, easy-to-read advice for small to medium business owners who may be at a crossroads.

Is it time to outsource some, or all of your HR? Almost certainly. In our opinion, the time is now.

So many things in life come down to timing.

Knowing when to do things, as well as the actual “thing” itself, involves an educated leap of faith. Forewarned is forearmed, and all that. However, you could also argue that since you’re already thinking about engaging this type of practical HR expertise, the decision has sort of already been made for you.

There’s a reason it’s on your radar. Are we right?

To help, we’ve put together this easy-to-read guide to help you decide.

 The Outsourced Argument

As a leader, it may be your role to oversee HR in general (even if you have someone on board to take care of everyday “people” tasks), yet you may lack the knowledge and tools to do so.

Plus, small businesses can spend several hours per month in HR-related admin; time that your staff could spend on work better suited to their skills and experience, perhaps.

The idea behind outsourcing – and it could be almost any business service – is that it empowers you to focus on your business rather than working IN it. If you like, the “core” argument: you can focus on what your company offers and how it delivers it.

Managed HR is no exception. How does the following sound to you?

• You’ll have more hours in the day given back to you, enabling you to become self-sufficient and concentrate on business growth.
• You’ll stay compliant and within the law. In other words, your HR will be carried out to the highest possible standards; almost certainly more effectively than at present, if we may say so.

So, where are you in your thinking? In our experience, when to hire an HR Consultant becomes especially relevant in the following situations:

1. 1. You’ve taken on your first employee (or, your planning to)

Yes, your very first one.

As you may be aware, your new staff member needs a contract of employment from day one – not within 12 weeks, as used to be the case. And, whilst you may be fine with a downloaded template document, equally you may not. You need to remain legally compliant, and your paperwork may date without you knowing it.

2. 2. Hiring has become a challenge

Nearly every business owner experiences problems with finding the right people with the right skills.

So, engaging an HR consultant could inject a much-needed burst of energy and expertise into all aspects of the recruitment process –  from A to Z. Examples include drawing up job descriptions, interview questions and answers, offer letters and much else besides.

3. 3. You have a problem with staff turnover

You’ve found great people, trained them to do their jobs… and now they’re leaving in their droves.

Why?

Often – and this answer may surprise you – it’s down to a perceived lack of growth and personal development, leading to disengagement. (It’s not necessarily about their salaries.) People want to be useful, know that they’re making a difference, and recognise there is the potential to progress in their roles. Work takes up a lot of their time, after all.

So, if someone sees no future in your business, they may not stay.

An HR consultant could offer tailored training plans to help motivate and inspire your staff. They are, after all, your most valuable asset.

4. 4. There’s a problem with communication

Poor communication – whatever that means in your business – is another sure-fire way to haemorrhage your workforce. Why? Because employees need to connect with an organisation’s leadership. They want to know what’s going on.

And, they want to be part of the solution.

Effective employee appraisals, assertive, empathetic performance management and good two-way corporate communication are skills that don’t just happen. They must be taught to your management team, and aligned to your business’s strategy. But, equally, you want to get the absolute best out of people and for them to be happy and productive.

With expert input from an HR consultant on all of the above, you could be building a recognisable employment “brand”.

5. 5. You lack HR processes, and you’re struggling to stay compliant with laws and regulations

Klaxon alert.

Your company will only function correctly with robust HR processes and procedures. If you stray outside of people-related compliance or are unaware of it, then it’s no exaggeration to say that you are playing with fire.

If you have to discipline a staff member, make them redundant or fire them, may we ask a question: are you sure that you have followed all the rules? If not, legal action could be coming, and overwhelm your business in the blink of an eye.

6. 6. You want to change your organisational culture

Organisational culture: your company’s beliefs, values and attitudes, and how they influence your employees’ behaviour. It’s intangible, yet it’s a huge topic. What exactly do you want to change? What’s not working so well?

Again, expert advice and strategy could help you to create and protect the culture you need; the one that encourages and supports business growth. In our view the “when to hire an HR consultant” almost becomes a no brainer here.

7. 7. You have rapid expansion plans

Although positive, this can be a genuine challenge for many companies.

Change is on the way, and when you’re talking about human beings, there could be trouble ahead. Unfortunately, very few people embrace change easily. At best, your current employees at best may feel insecure. At worst, hostile.

Do not underestimate the contest you are about to face. It’s invaluable, therefore to have a dedicated HR resource who can support a significant recruitment, onboarding and training plan – as well as all the other HR-related matters that will no doubt arise.

In summary, it’s fair to say that HR forms an essential part of any business. Any company without a clearly defined, well-trained HR professional may be storing up problems – both in the here and now, and in the future.

Often, organisations only engage an HR consultant when something “bad” has happened; a serious behavioural breach, or the threat of legal action for example. Therefore, deliberately, we’ve not included it here, and here’s why:

Effective people management is about “digging your well before you’re thirsty”. In our opinion, engaging with an outsourced HR solution could be the wisest decision you ever make.

It’s a preventative tool, as well as a positive, proactive one.

Would you like to let go of several HR responsibilities? To maximise efficiency, find and keep the best workforce for miles around? Perhaps you’re keen to meet your company objectives.

If you’ve been wondering when to hire an HR consultant, let’s Teflon the process.

You know what to do. Why not get in touch for more information?

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