What to Look For in a Grand Rapids Human Resources Provider

For businesses, it’s a good time to be in Grand Rapids. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the Grand Rapids metropolitan area was the fastest growing economy in the United States in 2016, at a 4.4% increase in total workforce by the end of the year. And with business booming in Grand Rapids, human resources may be the next step in your company’s expansion. An HR provider could be the answer to your needs, but where do you begin?

No two businesses are the same, so no two HR solutions are going to be the same either. External human resources providers offer many benefits to businesses, including a rich pool of expertise and a wide array of services. But when searching for a provider, it’s important to be selective, since a human resources team can – and should – have a huge impact on your business. Here are a few things a Grand Rapids human resources provider should be able to do:

1. Provide the support your business needs

Whether you’re looking for an external human resources provider to be your HR team, support existing HR personnel, or just assist with a few special projects, they should have the flexibility to be what your company needs. If you already have an HR team, an external provider should be able to complement their strengths rather than trying to take over. And if you don’t, they should be ready, willing, and enthusiastic about building an HR structure from the ground up, establishing a strong foundation for your company’s future.

2. Get involved in your business

We’ve been using the word “external” to describe human resources providers, but in reality, they should be an integral part of your company. The human resources of tomorrow are strategic, and should be able to provide input for every aspect of the business. While an outsourced company that will complete your payroll may be sufficient for what you need, you can get more bang for your buck with a strategic human resources provider whose goal is to help your business succeed.

3. Have values that align with yours

If your provider is going to become an extension of your company, you need people who mesh well with what you’re already doing. Examine their goals and values and compare them to your own: if they are more different than similar, working with them may not be the best experience. Just like hiring a new employee, you want to be able to work well with your human resources provider.

4. Know their stuff – and be able to prove it

Any human resources provider can claim that they have the knowledge and expertise your company needs, but any human resources provider worth their salt can back up those claims with case studies and references. Do a little bit of legwork and read up on the work they’ve done in the past, and talk to past and current clients about their experiences with the provider. If you like what you hear, chances are that you can be confident in a happy partnership.

If the next step in expanding your business is finding an HR solution, congratulations! Finding a Grand Rapids human resources provider is a great move, and with the right provider, you can look forward to reaching even greater heights.