By Sandy Chockla, Franchise Owner, Expense Reduction Analysts.
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Now that you have defined the criteria that is important to your decision, you need to ensure that you collect information about each of them from all suppliers.  Make sure that you have a question to cover each of the non-price factors, taking the time to create clear and understandable questions.  If you ask a vague question such as “Please describe what your software tool can do” you will get answers that are difficult to compare and may not contain all of the information you wanted.  Be specific, ask multiple questions such as “Can your software tool do X, can your software tool to Y”, etc.

Sandy Chockla is a franchise owner and Principal Consultant for Expense Reduction Analysts (ERA).  ERA has a network of experts in more than 40 overhead expense categories which I leverage to benchmark prices, review supplier agreements, and optimize our client’s purchases or services.  This is done without compromising supplier quality or service.  If you would like to have a discussion, you can contact Sandy at schockla@expensereduction.com or call direct at 970-232-4860 .

Tina Ramey, Partner VolkBell HR Services
 
These last few months have changed many conversations in the workplace, bringing clarity to what needs to be done versus “this is how we’ve always done it.” Some of these adjustments may include moving to a virtual workforce, simplifying processes, or working with a smaller staff. Outsourcing some operational functions may become a necessity.
 
HR outsourcing is usually discussed whenever companies are in a position to stay the course in difficult times or do more with less. As business owners are trying to figure out what they can and can’t do or maybe should or shouldn’t do, they need professionals to guide them and they don’t necessarily need that person to be on staff full time.
 
When do you know if you should consider HR outsourcing?

• HR responsibilities are shared among the owners and supervisors.
  • There is no one person dedicated to overseeing processes and compliance updates. 
  • If an issue arises, everyone tag-teams responsibility on handling the situations.
  • No one has time, so HR needs get shelved until an issue pops up.

 

• Office managers carry multiple titles:  Day to day operations, IT, HR, and every random “figure this out” task.
  • They are tired of researching and not having the experience to manage HR situations.
  • They need someone with HR experience to talk through situations and best practices.
  • They need help to get HR projects done, i.e. updating employee policies and handbooks.

 

• Every business has processes on how they handle HR…
  • “Some are lists on papers, some are in my head.”
  • “Most are just known by everyone who works here.”
  • “A few we haven’t had to deal with yet, so we’ll figure it out when it comes up.”

 
HR may not always be seen as a revenue driver in a company. However, if not looked at, the lack of HR can create unnecessary costs for a business. Outsourced HR can bring you the knowledge and guidance to enhance communication throughout the organization, improve employee engagement and protect the business.
 
So, what does HR look like in your company? 
 
Tina Ramey is a partner and co-owner of VolkBell HR Services. VB HR was created to bring small and mid-size companies experienced HR professionals through an outsourced partnership, on an as needed basis. Their team of HR professionals have a heart for small business and look to match practical HR with a client’s culture and management styles. For more information, go to www.volkbellhr.com or email tramey@volkbellhr.com. 
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By Sandy Chockla, Franchise Owner, Expense Reduction Analysts.

The actual prices will likely be the biggest factor in your decision, but there are many other non-price factors that may also be important.  In fact, sometimes the ability for a supplier to meet your technical specifications may be critical to the decision.  Other examples are the level of customer service and support that is provided, the supplier’s ability to meet your required delivery dates, or if they have sound disaster recovery plans.  You may even decide that you want to support suppliers that are environmentally responsible or are a minority or women-owned business.   When defining these non-price factors, it is important to engage with all relevant stakeholders within your company.  These are the people that will use the product or service or can help define and weight the criteria involved in the decision.  You will need to decide if, for example, price is 50%, 75%, or 90% of your decision.   And how important are the various factors you identified, relative to price and each other.
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Sandy Chockla is a franchise owner and Principal Consultant for Expense Reduction Analysts (ERA).  ERA has a network of experts in more than 40 overhead expense categories which I leverage to benchmark prices, review supplier agreements, and optimize our client’s purchases or services.  This is done without compromising supplier quality or service.  If you would like to have a discussion, you can contact Sandy at schockla@expensereduction.com or call direct at 970-232-4860 .