Our references
Streamlining the HR Operations Organization with an Interim HR Director
Teija Sarajärvi, EVP Human Resources, Wärtsilä Oyj
Wärtsilä wanted to streamline its HR Operations’ organisation by addressing inefficiencies, reducing overlapping processes and ways of working. HR Plus provided an experienced consultant to step in as an interim leader for the HR Operations team, overseeing a network of 200 HR professionals. Together with the team, the consultant worked to design a more efficient and scalable HR organization that could adapt to future changes.
Sari Mononen from HR Plus was able to start on a couple of weeks' notice and very quickly got a firm grip on the team and the ongoing projects. She carried the project forward in good cooperation with her colleagues and other stakeholders. Sari's attitude and performance received very positive feedback from the team. We loved her warmth, humor and pragmatism. Sari assisted in the search process and selection of a new HR Operations Director and made a controlled transfer of responsibility.
Divestment and integration of the remaining business
Large global corporation
Large global corporation divested part of its business in 2022. In this connection, parts of the divested business including app. 1000 employees remained in the company and were integrated into the remaining business divisions.
In this connection, a global HR information system was launched in the corporation. The HRIS launch to the remaining parts of the divested business was done as a second phase, after finalizing the divestment.
HR Plus helped the organization during the divestment and integration process by providing Business HR support during the transformation period.
- development and implementation of global people processes outside the HRIS system during the divestment process: performance and goal review, goal setting, personal development discussions, job grading , salary review, recruitments
- participation in integration management including people data management, HR operational model design, change management, knowledge transfer and transition management
- general Business HR support during transformation.
In the second phase, HR Plus helped the organization as a Project Lead in the HRIS implementation into the remaining parts of the divested business, together with the inhouse and technical project team. The project included the overall project management, data transfer and management, definition of country specific requirements for HRIS development, communications, change management and coordination of training.
Outsourced HR Services
YTM-Industrial Oy
Our collaboration with YTM-Industrial Oy, which specializes in the sale, design and after-sales services of technical equipment, components and systems, began with an HR analysis to assess the customer’s human resources practices and management. The assessment was made by interviewing the company's management and supervisors, as well as by reviewing the personnel policies and guidelines. Based on the evaluation, we prepared a report on the strengths of the human resources management and personnel policies, as well as areas of development with recommendations for action. This report was presented to the management team. The joint discussion resulted in a clear perspective on HR priorities and development projects. After this, our cooperation continued on various HR matters, such as working hours questions, updating employee policies and personnel plans, developing the compensation system, and advising on personnel matters.
Elematic Oyj, a company that has grown significantly and has become international, needed an external assessment to evaluate its current HR practices and to propose priorities for leadership development and how they could be implemented. The HR analysis was performed by reviewing materials and HR practices and interviewing a group of managers, executives and HR experts in Finland and in two units located abroad. The final report was a summary of the strengths and development opportunities of the HR practices and recommendations for both short and longer term action.
As a part of the leadership analysis, we also carried out a series of interviews in the background. The results of the interviews were used in a leadership workshop with the customer. Based on the company's strategy values and interviews, we prepared a proposal for the company's leadership principles. As a final report, a suggestion was made to the customer to strengthen and implement the leadership principles in the organization and in various HR management processes. In addition, on the basis of the interviews and the workshop, we made a proposal to the customer about the content of the leadership development programme and different ways of implementing it.
Interim HR assignment
Minna Koisti, HR Director at NCC Building Nordics, Finland
In autumn 2022, NCC Building Finland's HR Business Partner moved out of the company to new challenges and we needed an experienced business-oriented HR professional on short notice to drive HR projects together with the business. During the fall, we made structural changes in the business and conducted change negotiations in the business area supported by Sari. Sari played a strong role in the strategic HR planning process from Work Force Planning and with her positive and proactive approach she contributed to all HR projects in excellent cooperation with the business and the HR team.
Sari received excellent feedback from both the HR team and the business. I highly recommend Sari for demanding HR assignments, as an experienced HR professional she quickly covers all the tasks and complexities in a short time frame.
HR Support in change negotiations
An Expert Organization
When conducting change negotiations, it is important to ensure that this is done in accordance with labour law, in a way that people are respected and that enables genuine interaction. We supported an expert organisation in HR, which needed to initiate change negotiations with workforce reductions. We created a roadmap for the process and the necessary documentation. We were involved in coaching at all stages of the process and participated in the meetings, including preparing the written reports. During the negotiations, many questions were asked, to which the CEO responded openly and comprehensively, ensuring that there was genuine interaction in the change negotiations and that the negotiations were conducted in a constructive spirit.
The customer's feedback was that "especially Eija's careful preparation with various documents was much needed and also during the process the professional sparring gave great support to achieve the best possible outcome. I had started as CEO of the company only a few weeks before and the process would have been really challenging without a skilled partner."
HR service model transformation project – Interim Assignment
Company in the food industry
A company in the food industry needed an experienced Senior HR Advisor for their People organization on short notice. The company had launched a change project regarding their HR service model with the goal of finishing the project with in-house HR professionals. The focus of the project was on clarifying the service model, defining the roles and responsibilities of the new service model, distincting work roles in regards of overlap, and leading the change. The project was successful and the new service model was implemented.
The company was also initiating a corporate-level Future of Work project, which approached the future of work from both a strategic and operational perspective: what are the long-term changes in working life, and what is the company's approach to them? How will work and working be approached after the pandemic? For this project, HR Plus conducted a background survey, gathering views on the future direction and basis for decision-making from a number of different channels.
The duration of this interim assignment, which focused on two projects, was 4 months.
Outsourced HR Services
Technology industry company
From 2019 onwards we have given a part-time HR support for a company operating in the technology industry in the South-West of Finland. Being a medium-size company, they don’t need a full-time HR professional, but there is a need for a part-time professional. Cooperation started with a project regarding their quality system, but soon evolved into a long-term agreement, in which HR Plus’ consultant works for the company 1-1,5 days a week on a fixed hourly rate. The work has included for example building and developing people policies, working and supporting managers in employment matters, recruiting, developing the compensation system, developing personnel plans and personnel programs as well as management coaching and developing well-being.
HR Plus brings the customer the newest information in human resources as well as the ability to question old practices. Many mandatory personnel issues have been developed into well-functioning processes and management has been able to concentrate on managing the business. In addition, especially the managers have been grateful for the HR support. For more information you can contact Eija Potinkara, 040 513 4858.
Manager Training
Heikki Yrjölä, Toimitusjohtaja, OIKIO Digital Performance Agency
"OIKIO is a growing digital marketing and sales expert agency with an increasing number of managers over the last few years. We aim to be the best choice for employees in the industry and as part of this goal, it is important for us to invest in high quality managerial work. We approached Sari and HR Plus when we wanted to provide our employees working in the role with more know-how and tools for everyday situations.
The manager training was organized as a set of training sessions, which covered the different aspects of managerial work in a comprehensive way, using both lecture-based materials and practical exercises. The planning was done in cooperation with our own HR department and the content was designed to meet the needs and expectations of our company.
Sari is a highly skilled facilitator, who naturally handles even large groups and understands the culture, values and practices of the group. The training clarified, among other things, the responsibilities and obligations of the manager and the principles of leadership. The training also provided our managers with practical tools for their own work. We can warmly recommend Sari and HR Plus."
Interim HR Director
Patrik Sallner, Toimitusjohtaja, Fonecta Oy
"In spring 2022, Fonecta's HR Director left the company and an experienced HR Director was needed quickly to take charge of ongoing projects and lead the HR function and HR team. The selection and replacement of an occupational health care provider, the design of Fonecta's job structure and the evaluation of the demands using the Palkkavaaka® (i.e. pay scale) method, and the development of a front office were all in progress. In addition, the ICT Employees' strike during the spring lasted 6 weeks, which caused additional work for the organisation and the HR team.
Sari Mononen from HR Plus was able to start on a couple of weeks' notice and very quickly got a firm grip on the HR team and the ongoing projects. She carried the projects forward in good cooperation with her colleagues despite the strike. Sari's attitude and performance received very positive feedback from the HR team and the management team.
Sari assisted in the search process and selection of a new HR Director and made a controlled transfer of responsibility when this person started after the summer. I am very grateful to Sari for her professional assistance and can warmly recommend her for even the most demanding change projects. "