Article: HR struggling with basic functions of recruitment: SAP

Strategic HR

HR struggling with basic functions of recruitment: SAP

A recent SAP survey shows that HR in SMBs all over the world is struggling to identify talent, coordinate job postings, and wants unique solutions with peer collaboration.
HR struggling with basic functions of recruitment: SAP

A recent survey by SAP is likely to strike a few familiar chords with the HR community. The global survey says that one in two small and midsize businesses (SMBs) find it difficult to identify and secure qualified candidates for jobs. WideOpen, a customer strategy consulting company, conducted the survey on behalf of SAP and focussed on organizations with 500 or fewer employees in retail, hospitality and healthcare industries in the United States of America, United Kingdom, and France. The survey quizzed 2,341 decision makers from HR and related functional roles of companies between 5 and 499 employees. A small internet survey, consisting of 25 questions of various formats, was used to collect responses. 

Here are the key findings of the survey:

  • Over 90% of HR and related roles in SMBs believe that “identifying candidates is the greatest challenge in the recruitment process.”  

  • Coordinating job postings on multiple boards and various platforms is one of the largest obstacles, and managing the pool of candidates also makes it to the list of top concerns (82%). 

  • A majority of the respondents were also unsure about how to properly categorize candidates from various application channels. 

  • The unanimous opinion was that peer collaboration was missing, and many were of the opinion that they wish they could consult more with their colleagues during the process, especially during candidate assessment. 

  • A majority believe that they need unique solutions, and are of the view “that some form of applicant management software would enhance their ability to efficiently fill their talent pipeline and optimize their recruiting process.”

“Attracting, managing and securing top talent has become a difficult task for small businesses; however, it is one of the most critical pieces of the business and one that is vital to long-term business success,” Simon Bouchez, CEO of France-based Multiposting, now part of SAP said. Although respondents from India were not a part of the survey, one can safely assume that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in India are facing similar challenges. 

These findings pose a unique problem. On the one hand, HR in organizations is leveraging automation, analytics, new age engagement policies, reimagining how work is done to build a solid foundation for the future of workplace; and on the other hand, small organizations are struggling with routine processes like managing postings, talent pool and scouting for talent. This disparity will mean that the propellers of innovation will be limited, and fewer minds will contribute towards the change that is already underway.

The study is extremely opportune to declare that owing to the virtue of the size of their company, respondents expect that rather than adopting solutions spearheaded by bigger organizations, unique solutions that cater to their specific challenges will help them become more efficient and agile. This is an opportunity not only for young HR leaders but also the several HR startups that are offering customized, cost-effective and new age solutions. If anything, the study is a suitable reminder of just how much the community, as a whole, needs to work towards finding permanent, sustainable and efficient solutions for routine challenges.

Read full story

Topics: Strategic HR

Did you find this story helpful?

Author

QUICK POLL

How do you envision AI transforming your work?