Combining three companies. How does this affect recruitment & employer branding?

Podcast Summary: Episode of #TalentBuzz with Guest Johanna from Haiilo

Introduction:

• Host: Introduces the #TalentBuzz podcast.
• Guest: Johanna from Haiilo, a newly formed SaaS company from the merger of Smart, Koyo, and Jubilee.
• Topic: Challenges and strategies in recruitment and employer branding after forming a new brand.

Creating a New Brand - Challenges in Recruitment:

• Haiilo, being a new brand, faces the challenge of establishing recognition.
• Candidates are more familiar with the legacy brands, requiring additional explanation and effort in recruitment.
• Social media and strategic branding efforts are key to building Haiilo's identity.

Advantages of Starting with a New Brand:

• A fresh start allows for redefining company values and employer branding.
• Opportunity to create a new perception and identity distinct from the legacy brands.

Integrating Recruitment Processes from Three Companies:

• One of the first tasks was to unify recruitment processes.
• Established a global process, adapting to the different recruitment styles of each country.
• Created a flexible framework, maintaining core stages but allowing for local modifications.

Challenges with Tools and Data Integration:

• Combining different HR and talent acquisition tools was complex.
• Achieved global consistency in people management but faced challenges in payroll and benefits due to regional differences.

Combining Cultures and Team Structures:

• Focused on finding suitable roles for overlapping positions.
• Emphasized creating a new, unified company culture while respecting individual strengths.
• Engagement and feedback initiatives helped integrate values and build unity.

Navigating Overlapping Roles and Leadership:

• Required strategic alignment of roles and responsibilities.
• Global teams were formed to promote unity while considering location-specific needs.

Progress on Integration Journey:

• Scored around 9 out of 10 on integration scale, with significant unification achieved.
• In-person company events played a crucial role in solidifying team unity post-COVID.

Reflections on the Merger Process:

• Importance of communication to ensure clarity and manage expectations.
• Acknowledged the challenges posed by remote operations during COVID-19.
• Highlighted the successful implementation of new company values.

Closing Remarks:

• Host's Conclusion: Encourages sharing the episode for insights on talent acquisition in SaaS companies.
• Sign-off: Reminder about the importance of effective recruitment strategies and employer branding in the SaaS sector.

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