A consulting firm focusing solely on implementation and working with one particular HCM software vendor is a perfectly fine business model. But when does this impact you, as the client? Our decades of experience have shown that your organization has an enormous advantage when your consulting firm works with more than one HCM software vendor. When this happens, your HCM consulting firm typically provides services beyond basic implementation services, such as:
- Strategic services
- HCM system evaluation and selection services
- Change management expertise
- Project Management expertise
- Post Implementation support
When looking for a holistic services partner, you quickly find that working with a consulting firm that partners with only one vendor can be a hindrance. In the case of system evaluation/selection services, this situation is perhaps even slightly unethical. Why go through an evaluation of various systems if your consulting firm works with only one vendor? At the end of the day, that’s where you will be steered, wasting time and money to get there.
HRchitect is a strategic consulting firm and has relationships with many of the leading HCM software vendors. Building these relationships is what we have proudly been doing for more than 26 years and something we see as a clear strategic advantage.
What is a Strategic Consulting firm?
Our relationships with HCM partner organizations are integral to who we are and how we bring the most comprehensive and well-rounded information to your organization. Many of our HCM software partners see the tremendous value of the multi-vendor relationship approach. They understand that this relationship produces a broader view of the marketplace and a better understanding of where HR technology is headed. We are providing a valuable strategic view. Plus, since the software vendors we partner with compete against other software or service providers that HRchitect works with, they see that as an advantage. They come to the table prepared to win your business with the understanding that their partner, HRchitect, is also fully qualified to provide the implementation services and conversion for multiple systems.
A Broad Marketplace View
A broad view of the HCM marketplace is documented in a book we published a couple of years ago called “HRchitect’s Guide to HCM Technology. Everything you need to know before your next HCM purchase.” One must know all the major players and the marketplace in order to publish a comprehensive guide. This helpful guide walks you through everything you need to know before your next HCM technology purchase, including:
- Defining an HR service delivery model
- Creating an HCM technology strategy
- The system evaluation and selection process
- System implementation
- Change management
- What to expect post-implementation
It would be best not to make a critical software purchase decision from a book, an industry report, or a few Google searches. You can use these educational tools together as part of this vital journey to hiring the best consulting firm to get the most appropriate HCM software for your organization’s unique needs.
Synergy among Practices
No one way of doing anything in life is perfect. Even the best way, and considering different viewpoints is always wise. And when you take the best of several different views, magic happens. Our teams from various consulting practices share ideas, share best practices, and discuss pros and cons in our consulting Center of Excellence. This sharing leads to synergies where truly the result is greater than the sum of the parts. HRchitect brings these leading practices together to share lessons learned. Experiences from working with different systems, teams and ways of providing solutions for the same problem.
Our formula is tough to beat. The result is best-in-class, elite, award-winning people, processes, and practices, ultimately benefiting your organization as an HRchitect client. Firms that state that their one vendor focus and narrow lens is their competitive advantage may be costing their clients missed opportunities, knowledge, and a greater view of this fast-moving industry.
Culture and Celebrations
The synergies mentioned are part of our award-winning culture. Each practice has focused management, and each team strives to be the best. Teams celebrate each member as they extend their expertise through ongoing training and certifications from the software vendors. Kudos for other team members are plastered across our internal channels, which are strong indicators of our focus on our clients, concierge-level support, and team member relationships. Our teams are very experienced and highly skilled in understanding their vendor model. Our culture of leadership, learning, and sharing raises up each of our practice teams.
Great Value and Client Satisfaction
The value to our clients – past, present, and future – continues to grow as our partnerships grow. This cannot be overstated. We are known for our ability to help organizations that find themselves in a pickle mid-implementation. When they need a replacement consulting firm to bring in a fresh set of eyes, overcome another consulting firm’s myopic, under-prepared consulting team that may have been unable to bring the client across the finish line.
You can see what our clients say about this on Raven Intelligence. Raven Intelligence is an independent 3rd party company specializing in customer reviews. They can help select the best Consulting partner for your HR software project. HRchitect is proud to lead all other consulting organizations in five-star reviews of our consultants. Read how we consistently exceed industry standards on client satisfaction.
We look forward to answering your questions and adding you to our long list of satisfied clients. Let us know how we can help you.
About the Author
Matt Lafata has over 25 years in the HR industry & has been with HRchitect since 2004. As President & CEO, he oversees HRchitect’s sales, marketing, customer success, partnerships, consulting, finance & global strategy. Matt extensively studies the HCM and WFM marketplaces & talks to vendors regularly to stay on top of trends in this fast-moving industry.
Learn more about Matt here.