In most cases, the better term for HR related outsourcing is insourcing -bringing in additional resources to help achieve objectives. Certainly in our experience, companies continue to play a critical role in crafting HR policy even if all the HR functional areas are handled by an outside firm.and we wouldn't want it any other way. We serve as an expert resource that can develop and recommend policy, design programs, and deliver HR and training services (all based on the company's strategic objectives, corporate culture, and best practices), but ultimately it is the company that is responsible for managing its human resources. Here are a few reasons why companies choose to bring us in: 1.) they don't have the expertise in a particular area 2.) they have the expertise, but don't have the time to get to everything 3.) they are temporarily short a staff member and need experienced help that can 'step in and run' 4.) they have a short term need (e.g. need to hire 10 engineers quickly because of a newly awarded contract) 5.) they are a smaller company with no formal HR department and the head of the company is spending too much dealing with daily HR issues 6.) they find themselves in a lawsuit or paying fines surrounding a compliance issue they weren't aware of in the first place 7.) they want to achieve economies 8.) they want a fresh perspective 9.) they need an objective opinion or an objective third party to intercede Could you use some help? Would like to get to know our capabilities better and discuss ways in which we could serve as a resource to you? For more information, contact E. K. Ward & Associates at 716-626-1188 or please click here.

Understanding Outsourcing in HR January 2006 Newsletter Outsourcing. It can be a confusing topic. But, it's an important one given that, according to sourcing advisor Technology Partners International (TPI), HR outsourcing is accelerating quicker than other business processes. This is attributed to the need for HR executives to cut repeatable, operational costs (like payroll administration) so their departments can focus on competencies that will drive business growth. Let's be clear: outsourcing and offshoring are not the same. Offshoring represents a relocation of a function to a foreign country. Outsourcing-transferring a task to an expert service provider- has earned a somewhat undeserved bad rap for what many perceive as job elimination. In fact, because of its need for highly skilled workers and provider management, outsourcing often creates jobs. Going to the doctor or hiring a home builder are examples of how we use outsourcing daily. As an expert in career management and leadership solutions, OI Partners is an outsourcer that can help you better handle coaching, leadership development and other competencies. The bottom line is that outsourcing can help transform your HR department into a strategy-focused center that helps drive your organization's bottom line. Read this month's newsletter or call us today to find out how. Anne Mahoney Glose OI Partners (Williamsville, NY) Please click on the links below to read the complete articles. HR Outsourcing Picking Up Steam ERP licensing and consulting costs seen as factors When PepsiAmericas Inc. wanted to automate some human resources processes, it could have expanded its own PeopleSoft ERP system, but that would have required buying more software, hiring consultants and stressing an already tapped-out IT staff. Instead, Dana Sacks, vice president of compensation, benefits and human resources information ... BPO Bandwagon Companies of all stripes-from global conglomerates to small and midmarket players-are choosing to farm out back-office personnel processes, fueling bullish business forecasts for HR outsourcers. CATCHING UP WITH THE TIMES Whirlpool's 10-year outsourcing deal with Convergys is aimed in part at modernizing the company's personnel processes, many of which are still done manually. Getting Outsourcing Right It's evolving from a pure cost play to a strategic management tool. BY BILL GREEN In a recent Accenture global survey of leading companies that are experienced at outsourcing, virtually 100 percent of respondents told us that while cost reduction remains an important driver, by the third year of a typical multiyear outsourcing arrangement, they had also explicitly linked business objectives and ... Don't Outsource the Relationship It's not someone else's job when your-company's bottom line is at risk There is a lot of hype and emotion surrounding the topic of outsourcing. Everyday, I see an article or column strongly in favor of outsourcing and almost as often an article or column strongly against outsourcing. The fact is that outsourcing has been a major success for some organizations and a major failure for others. Many outsourcing companies just send the work across the street SANTA ANA, Calif. -- After seven years in business, Message Broadcast in Newport Beach, Calif., grew to need more legal assistance than its outside law firm had time for. But the marketing firm still didn't have so much legal work that it needed to hire a full-time general counsel. Instead, the company decided to outsource the work -- not to China, but to Orange County, Calif. Click Here to subscribe to or unsubscribe from this newsletter To learn more about OI Partners, please click here.

E. K. Ward and Associates, Inc.
Anne Mahoney Glose
VP, Principal
4455 Transit Road, Suite 3B
Williamsville, NY 14221
(716) 626-1188
Enquiries: aglose@ekward.com