HR Options, Inc.

HR as a key component to successful growth story

The challenge - Our client, a small start-up medical device company in Silicon Valley, had just received their first round of funding and was working on developing their product and beginning clinical trials. Even though the company had less than 10 employees at the time, they knew the human resource function was a key component of their business in a highly regulated and competitive industry. Unfortunately, their in-house HR manager was preparing to leave the company. The client was not sure what their actual HR needs were at the time and questioned whether a company of their size really needed a full-time HR manager. Although they didn't know what options they had, they did recognize that they had neither the in-house HR expertise, nor the time, to effectively handle those responsibilities.

The process - The firm called HR Options (HRO) to help them assess their HR function, determine what they currently had in place, and what was needed moving forward. Through our initial HR assessment we were able to develop an HR plan which would support their immediate as well as their changing needs at any given time. The goal was to develop a solid, but flexible, human resource infrastructure that would grow with the company. At a point in time when the client needed flexible, cost-effective professional HR support, HRO provided a solution. Our services, whether on site or off site, weekly or on demand, were scalable to the client's needs in an ever-changing and sensitive cost environment. At the same time, they received the highest level of HR support when they needed it most.

The results - Initially, our focus was on compliance, creation of policies and procedures, and providing on-call support as needed. As the company secured additional rounds of funding, completed the clinical trials, and eventually received approval from the FDA to sell their product, the HR focus changed. With their growth, our focus shifted to staffing, benefits, compensation, and performance and goal setting even as we continued to make sure that they were in compliance with California and federal law. With start-up companies, there are almost always ebbs and flows over the first few years, and our flexible support allowed this particular start-up to increase or reduce our support as needed.

We have now supported this client for over 6 years and continue to provide on-site support for them one day a week. The client is now on their fourth round of funding, has over 50 employees, and is currently selling product. Because the human resource function was set-up correctly and handled professionally over the years, they are positioned for the next stage of their company. Whether that stage is an acquisition by a larger corporation or an initial public offering, they are confident that they will not uncover any HR nightmares that companies often discover when going through these stages. "HR Options has been a most valuable partner over the years," indicates the Chief Financial Officer. "We can call on them at any point and they are ready and willing to help. They have been a key business partner in getting us to the point we are now."

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