Talent manager sees emerging markets
The Devine Group, a locally based talent management firm with more than 4,000 clients including PNC Bank, Convergys and LaRosa's, is expanding internationally, fueled in part by an economic climate that's putting a premium making good hiring decisions and developing and retaining top talent. In November, The Devine Group entered into a distributorship with Sydney, Australia-based HardyGroup International (HGI), which allows HGI to offer The Devine Group's products, and helps the Kenwood-based firm broaden its reach in Australia, New Zealand and Asia. HGI specializes in talent management and development for companies and senior executives in Australia and Asia. It also has expertise in healthcare, an emerging market for The Devine Group. "They knew what they were looking for, and we knew what we were looking for," said Pamela Walters, executive vice president at The Devine Group. "We give them a more robust product offering." |
David Devine, Devine Group Chairman and CEO
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"We believe there are tremendous benefits to both organizations," said David Devine, The Devine Group's chairman and chief executive officer. "With HGI we're able to expand our reach... and help provide an even greater number of companies more insight and accuracy throughout the hiring and employment process."
The Devine Group offers companies online assessment and human resource tools that encompass the employee lifecycle, from hiring to separation. The tools are ultimately designed help clients hire, reduce costs and enhance employee productivity.
One tool brings new hires up to speed quickly, another identifies employees with career advancement potential. An online exit survey helps employers understand why employees decide to leave, and take steps to improve retention.
The Devine Group works with businesses in several industries, including automotive, food service, government, nonprofit and retail, and helps its clients evaluate candidates for a wide range of positions.
For example, a company hiring for historically high-turnover hourly positions, such as a call center agent, might use a tool that measures a job candidate's potential for poor attendance or low productivity. A different tool helps evaluate candidates for managerial and executive positions.
"For our clients it's not how many employees to hire, but are they the right people?" said Jeffrey Williams, vice president of channel sales for The Devine Group.
"The costs of mistakes are disproportionately higher. Companies are focused on human capital like never before."
Lynn McInturf is the owner of Cincinnati-based Lynn McInturf Associates, a sales training and development organization. Her firm has worked with The Devine Group for more than six years.
"We use Devine to help our clients evaluate if they have the right people, and to place those people in the right roles," McInturf said. "One of our clients said (Devine's pre-hire assessment) was 'money in the bank.' It's so costly to make a bad hire. It's a no-brainer to use these assessment tools."
The Devine Group's assessments measures workers' personality traits, knowledge, and skills and abilities. Its staff includes psychologists, human resources generalists and statistical modeling and training specialists.
"Clients have expressed to us that they want to hire 'A' players," said Walters. "They are putting more rigor in the hiring process."
Williams said he expects that The Devine Group will pursue more partnerships.
"HardyGroup is indicative of the kind of relationship we're looking for," he said.