This is why process matters so much, and why so many organizations choose to implement an RPO (Recruitment Process Outsourcing) solution. It streamlines your recruitment efforts, creates higher brand engagement, boosts retention, and above all things, it provides that ever-elusive ability to grow seamlessly. But we all know how great RPO can be, and this is not what this article is about. Instead, it’s about the things you can do to make sure you and your RPO provider are a match made in heaven. RPO is a lot like a marriage, and setting the right foundations at the beginning will determine whether you’re going to make it to your ruby anniversary, or be sitting in therapy in a few months.
We’ve been implementing RPO solutions for nearly a decade now, so we’ve got a pretty good idea of what works and what falls flat on its face.
Chemistry Matters
If sparks are flying between you and your RPO provider, you’re onto the right track. This is a marriage, not a one-night stand, and you have to have mutual chemistry from the very start. The most successful RPO solutions we’ve ever seen are when there is a genuine relationship between the two. You have to want to sit down to dinner, to laugh together and share moments.
[clickToTweet tweet=”If sparks are flying between you and your RPO provider, you’re onto the right track. ” quote=”If sparks are flying between you and your RPO provider, you’re onto the right track. This is a marriage, not a one-night stand.”]
All In
Ensuring you have executive support and buy-in when launching your solution is incredibly important. Your business leaders need to understand the value of RPO so they can communicate compellingly to the rest of the organization. Battles are never fought without leaders.
Talk to me
All the time. Every day. There can never be too much communication in these early stages. This is the stage you’re really getting to know each other – your likes, dislikes, hopes and dreams. For your RPO to really succeed, everyone is going to have to get very vocal about their wants and needs.
It’s not admin
We’ve seen some of the best RPO providers fail because the client treats it like a huge activity in administration.
It’s not. It never is. It never will be.
Your RPO solution is a highly specialized business tool that gives you a competitive advantage. It’s delivered by professionals who understand your market and understand your business. They’re helping you grow, not simply pushing paper around.
Power to the people
Involve the right people from the very start. They hold the key, the magic, the drive and the power of your organization. Choose the people who can develop friendships with your RPO provider: they’re going to be spending a lot of time together. Give your people decision-making authority; they need to be empowered to make quick calls and strategic plays.
It isn’t over
The minute you think it is, is when it all goes wrong. Your RPO solution should evolve as your business needs change over time. It’s a live creature that is constantly growing, flexing and evolving.
This list could go on, and on, and on, but no one has time for that. You’re far too busy, and so are we. But the above list contains the major, and most important, factors to get right at the very start. They’re the ones that people tell us matter, more than any other. So with those in mind, and a shiny new recruitment solution in place, your business is set to grow in a far less painful way. It doesn’t always have to hurt quite so much.