HRO Core Inc. – Human Resources Outsourcing

Making human resources activities more efficient for small business is the primary focus of Halifax-based HRO Core Inc. The human resources consulting and outsourcing firm manages RRSP, benefits, recruiting, training and coaching activities for clients, mainly smaller companies.

“These are services and functions that small businesses want to be able to offer, but don’t always have the resources to deliver internally,” says HRO Core president Bryan Burns.

The idea for the company arose when Burns was working on his Masters degree in e-commerce at Dalhousie University. His thesis was on human resource outsourcing, which is a very dynamic and rapidly growing area. He believes that human resources outsourcing is just as relevant for small businesses as for larger ones.

Burns started the company in 2005. A Dartmouth native, he had worked in the benefits business as vice president for a national Canadian health benefits administration firm, for a U.K. based emotional intelligence training and coaching firm and in a variety of start-up organizations in leadership and consulting roles.

Burns says most of his current clients range from smaller companies of two people to companies with 30 to 40 people that may not have an HR manager in the office. HRO Core Inc. works in the technology, manufacturing, non-profit and retail sectors, as well as in government and aerospace and defense where many of the organizations tend to be larger.

The company works in Atlantic Canada, but also in Ontario, Quebec and internationally.

“We are focused on providing value for our clients. We believe that being focused in certain sectors enables us to maximize value," Burns explains.

Burns says HRO Core handles benefits for the Canadian head offices of a number of organizations, and works with the Atlantic regional offices for some internationally well-known organizations.

“We get involved with businesses at all levels. In some cases, it’s the smaller companies that need help locally, but there are larger companies that want to outsource their centralized services, and HR is one of those functions.”

For one of his clients, Burns says the company went in to do an HR audit, which included an employee and management survey focused on job satisfaction, compensation and organizational efficiency. He used the survey results to develop policies and procedures that became the basis of a new internal HR handbook and manual. HRO Core then helped develop an organizational structure and chart and provided recommendations for compensation at each level.

Now, HRO Core works regularly with the same client to manage benefits implement an RRSP program and handle overall HR requirements.

“We even helped them outsource their payroll and initiate a recruitment search. We developed performance appraisal documents and a process and established criteria for positions they were looking to fill,” Burns explains, adding that this is the ideal use of HRO Core’s services. “We make it easy for organizations to bring their entire human resources program up to speed. And that’s what makes a business run smoothly and efficiently.”

Burns runs HRO Core with a small staff and hires consultants to provide training and coaching when necessary. He sub-contracts expert consultants to deliver work-related training for senior employees in client organizations.

“One of the things HRO Core offers is training and assessments in areas like emotional intelligence, as well as manufacturing training in the area of 5S – sort, set, shine, standardize and sustain. There are so many independents on the training and coaching side that we bring in experts according to our client’s needs.”

HRO Core recently made the transition to a paperless office, meaning all client and internal documents have been scanned and are stored in a digital format. He explains that human resources functions are very paper-intensive, so the move to a digital format will make things more efficient and enable the firm to provide better service to the client.

“This will make a huge difference. For example, we’ll be able to keep all the information from our clients’ insurers in digital client files, which can be easily searched and transferred quickly. Not to mention, they won’t take up the filing space they have in the past. It’s something I’ve been thinking about for quite a while.”

Burns says the company is looking at expanding into New York to take advantage of the sheer volume of business in that market. He adds that because Nova Scotia is centrally located, he finds it easy to work in larger markets from here.

“Nova Scotia was the best place to start this business because I have a lot of networks here. The cost of living and overhead for the business was right. And it’s relatively convenient to get to other markets to meet with clients, which makes a huge difference.”

On a personal note, Burns says he is always drawn back to Nova Scotia, mainly because of the ocean.

“I grew up paddling in Dartmouth, and now I’m trying out some ocean sports. I’ve been doing stand-up paddle surfing and outrigger canoeing. We leave from Point Pleasant Park, so it’s just minutes away from my office and home.”

He has also invested in some rental properties in North-end Halifax.

“It’s a great market here and the North end is so unique and interesting. It’s great to be part of an area that’s developing like that.”

Burns sees a lot of opportunity for HRO Core, both locally and outside the region.

“There is a local market you can break into, and it’s easy to access other markets from here. Nova Scotia has some incredible people to fill jobs. There’s a lot of creativity here – literally, an underground swell of creative people and activities.”

Business will only increase as organizations address workforce changes. Burns predicts businesses in the province will see more immigration and people staying in the workforce longer. He adds that will likely translate to changes to benefits and insurance practices, as well as workplace policies and labour laws as organizations transition toward a more diverse workforce and culture.

“Staying up to date with the vast amount of activities under the HR umbrella is becoming more of a challenge, particularly for small firms. Companies will need to look at ways to retain good employees in the workplace. There’s lots of work for a human resources company like ours.”