We'll go into more on what these tasks consist of shortly, but before we continue there’s one important thing you need to know: you don’t necessarily need to hire an HR manager. As a small business or startup, outsourcing to an HR consultancy will meet most of your hiring and management needs.
An insider’s guide to outsourcing
“Outsourcing is great for accessing experienced HR counsel in a financially manageable way, when you need it” says Paula Meir, a global HR consultant, executive coach and author.
But how do you choose which outsourced HR partner is best for you? Two points stand out in particular, says Regine Buettner, Executive Vice President of HR Global & Europe at DHL Express: “Make sure you choose a partner who has the same values as your company, identifies with your company culture and understands your specific business challenges. It’s crucial to find a true sparring partner who is not afraid to give you feedback and challenge your ideas.”
Unlike smaller businesses, bigger businesses need access to HR personnel day in, day out. They’ll be dealing with recruitment, career development and staff grievances, plus administrative tasks. Instead, you need assured advice at short notice but without the sunk costs of a full-time, permanent HR team – and that’s when it makes sense to hire an external HR consultancy.