What is Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO)?

There is currently a healthy debate amongst providers of outsourced recruitment solutions about the definition of RPO and the need for the definition to reflect not only the transfer of process that occurs initially but the transformational capabilities of these solutions when delivered as part of a long term partnership.

Interestingly, most HR Directors have similar challenges in understanding what RPO means for them. The reason for this is quite simple; RPO is an umbrella term that includes a broad range of activities that can all be used to deliver against an organisations resourcing needs.

The scope of an outsourcing arrangement necessarily varies from company to company, depending on pre-existing capabilities, current spend profile, mix of direct/internal/referral/agency hires, sophistication of selection processes, understanding and use of their employer brand, levels of technology adoption. General attitudes towards outsourcing and crucially the wider objectives of the organisation also need to be carefully considered when scoping the desired solution to ensure maximum impact and adoption by the wider organisation.

Each implementation needs to take these varied factors into account and provide the organisation with a solution that improves the costs, quality and capability of the resourcing solution. In this manner the transfer of process is actually a complex blend of factors that requires a consultative approach to improving the people, process and technology used to underpin the service. The components might be similar from client to client but their application is certainly varied.

RPO can be as simple as delivering the transactional elements cheaper, faster and better because that in itself can provide a competitive advantage to client organisations. A more mature solution can impact on rates of attrition, and improve levels of operational and ultimately company performance. The scope will depend on the needs of the client organisation but certainly extends outside the transfer of process and into the delivery of transformational change. This can be achieved through increasing competitive advantage by aligning resourcing to support the strategic goals of the organisation, whatever form that takes.

Lorien Resourcing, and our experienced associates, regularly provides the knowledge and capability to deliver consultancy to organisations around the design of resourcing solutions and the resources and infrastructure to deliver both the transactional services, and transformation changes that a more mature market now demands.

To discuss RPO for your business, please contact Jon Mannall on 0207 654 1078 or email him at jonathan.mannall@lorien.co.uk.