Case Study: Geoservices
At a Glance
Implemented in just four weeks
Scalable, flexible solution
World-class technology
Best practice recruitment processes
Seamless centralised recruitment process
Global reach
Offshore support team
Proprietary talent pool
Background
Created in France in 1958, Geoservices is a truly worldwide company which is well-established on every continent. The company has a high performance culture, reflected by the new Geoservices slogan – Pioneering Technology Worldwide. This is testament to the commitment its men and women, from many different cultures, who daily provide high-value services to its clients.
The Challenge
The challenge at this point was to enable the HR team in France to identify, source, select, and hire candidates across the globe without increasing the size of the internal team. Costs would need to be controlled, and Geoservices would require access to the best candidate sourcing channels to accommodate a fixed number of hires each month. The solution would need to be fully flexible, able to scale upwards and downwards in line with business and customer requirements.
After a competitive tender process, Geoservices selected Alexander Mann Solutions (AMS) as a strategic recruitment partner. AMS were tasked with completing a comprehensive implementation for Geoservices, including a full change program, technology implementation, and induction of AMS’s operational team into Geoservices. The implementation needed to be carried out with minimal investment upfront, minimal disruption to HR operations, and had to be completed within 4 weeks to accommodate a forecast recruitment surge.
The Solution
Implementation took a phased approach.
Phase 1
AMS assembled a dedicated implementation team who worked with the operational team to develop, implement and launch the new service in four weeks. Both teams were aware that the key to a successful implementation would be a thorough planning process, and Geoservices provided AMS with a detailed list of documents and processes relating to their current environment. These were analysed, gaps identified and resolved, leveraging AMS’ best-practise experience.
Phase 2
A three day face-to-face discovery period followed, during which Geoservices HR and IT provided AMS with additional information.
Phase 3
AMS integrated Geoservices’ process elements into a best-practice process suite. The recruitment technology, Taleo Business Edition (TBE), was configured and branded in line with Geoservices’ requirements. The companies agreed and signed off the finalised processes, branding and candidate sourcing strategy, and launch plans.
During this time, the operational team were flown to Dundee in order to undergo Geoservices’ internal induction course. In order to provide a seamless recruitment service, all of AMS’s outsourced recruitment solutions adopt the client’s branding, and present as members of the client’s organisation. Geoservices is no different, with AMS staff assigned to the account attending induction in the same way as Geoservices staff.
Final phase
The final phase of implementation involved process and system training for the AMS operational team, with supporting operations, governance and system training manuals produced before go-live. Sourcing strategies were developed for all target countries, the TBE recruitment technology was linked to the Geoservices external career portal, and the new Careers service was launched internally and externally.
Results
The operational team of 3 recruiters, branded and operating as Geoservices, interviewed and pre-selected top candidates for an initial assessment centre to be held by Geoservices HR, in November. Hard metrics are also forthcoming, with the first monthly dashboard of performance ratios and activity reports due to be produced through the recruitment technology in November 2008.
Ultimately, the rapid setup and implementation of full recruitment services mean that Geoservices will be able to fill essential roles faster, and the flexible, scalable solution will enable Geoservices to respond rapidly to spikes in hiring volumes while retaining competitive advantage by being able to down-scale during hiring reductions.
“At first I was worried about the implementation phase, however, the support provided by AMS has allowed us to progress steadily through this phase with clear guidelines and task ownership. The realistic timeframes enabled us to address all necessary points thoroughly, and to avoid incidents, especially during the change over from our old technology system to Taleo Business Editions. The process is well documented and under control, and indicators are in place to allow us to measure the quality of the service and our return on investment.”
Franck Thibault – HR Development Director