New Research on Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) Addresses Economy's Impact on Procedures

BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - March 17, 2009) - In the new benchmark report, "RPO in 2009: Driving Cost and Quality Improvements," Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company (NYSE: HHS), found that all organizations surveyed that pursue recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) have on average realized at least some performance gains in key cost, quality and efficiency metrics. However, organizations that achieved Aberdeen's Best-in-Class designation experienced the most significant gains, including a 48% decrease in cost-per-hire. This research report is a compilation of surveys and interviews from more than 200 executives collected in January and February; however, the analysis focused primarily on the 100 organizations that are currently using RPO providers. The study highlights how Best-in-Class organizations internally structure and implement the necessary policies, practices, and procedures required to effectively manage RPO initiatives. To obtain a complimentary copy of the report, visit: http://www.aberdeen.com/summary/report/benchmark/5787-RA-recruitment-process-outsourcing.asp.

"We looked at the data very closely to determine if RPO is a valid option for organizations in 2009," said Jayson Saba, Senior Research Associate and co-author of the study. "It became obvious that organizations that seek gains in their hiring quality and efficiency should, in the very least, consider outsourcing elements of the recruitment process."

Organizations that achieved Aberdeen's Best-in-Class designation in RPO represent the top 20% of aggregate performers. Key differentiators that separate Best-in-Class organizations from the rest of the field highlight stakeholder involvement and diligent performance management. "Organizations must define the metrics they aim to improve via RPO," said Kevin Martin, Vice President and Principal Analyst, Human Capital Management. "And they must compare performance to pre-RPO benchmarks to truly quantify the benefits. This process must be formal and standardized at annual or semi-annual intervals."

In addition to cost savings, Best-in-Class organizations that are currently pursuing RPO are reaping significant year-over-year rewards through successful RPO programs:

--  Increased hiring manager satisfaction on average 67%
--  Reduced their time-to-fill on average 60%
--  Improved new hire retention rate on average 55%
    

This report also highlights how organizations around the world are implementing RPO amidst economic uncertainty by focusing key internal HR resources on core organizational competencies, and outsourcing specific recruiting processes or functions where cost and performance are sub par to overcome cost and performance barriers in the recruitment / hiring process. This report outlines actionable recommendations for organizations at all stages of the RPO decision process to help them solve critical business issues and address challenges that will help support and manage a successful RPO initiative going forward.

A complimentary copy of this report is made available due in part by the following underwriters: Kelly OCG and Vangent. To obtain a complimentary copy of the report, visit: http://www.aberdeen.com/summary/report/benchmark/5787-RA-recruitment-process-outsourcing.asp.

For additional access to complimentary Human Capital Research, please visit http://research.aberdeen.com/index.php/-human-capital-management.

About Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company

Aberdeen is a leading provider of fact-based research and market intelligence that delivers demonstrable results. Having benchmarked more than 30,000 companies in the past two years, Aberdeen is uniquely positioned to educate users to action: driving market awareness, creating demand, enabling sales, and delivering meaningful return-on-investment analysis. As the trusted advisor to the global technology markets, corporations turn to Aberdeen™ for insights that drive decisions.

As a Harte-Hanks Company, Aberdeen plays a key role of putting content in context for the global direct and targeted marketing company. Aberdeen's analytical and independent view of the "customer optimization" process of Harte-Hanks (Information - Opportunity - Insight - Engagement - Interaction) extends the client value and accentuates the strategic role Harte-Hanks brings to the market. For additional information, visit Aberdeen http://www.aberdeen.com or call (617) 723-7890, or to learn more about Harte-Hanks, call (800) 456-9748 or go to http://www.harte-hanks.com.

© 2009 Aberdeen Group, Inc., a Harte-Hanks Company
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Contact Information: Media Contact: Jayson Saba Aberdeen Harte-Hanks (617) 854-5224 Jayson.saba@aberdeen.com