Implementation at pace
One of the other aspects that attracted 7IM to Actus was the cost and time effective approach to implementation. Many of the other systems were quoting 6-9 months to roll out and 7IM needed to get their appraisal process up and running within six weeks of signing the contract!
Kate emphasised how Swagata Mukherjee from the Actus Customer Success team had been pivotal in helping to achieve that challenge by taking control of the implementation, asking “What’s your most pressing need; what is it that you want this to achieve first?” and providing invaluable support and guidance during implementation and beyond.
Ongoing partnership
As simply as that the partnership was established enabling 7IM to start by rolling out the appraisal and HR database including full training. This was followed by Actus Comply (and continued onto 360 degree feedback with the current and future focus progressing to Learning Management.
Colanne explained how they were expanding the use of Actus further to support the management of continuing professional development and diagnosis of training needs.
“It’s as if Actus are anticipating our needs, we are moving our focus to CPD next along with individual development and career plans and already we can see how the Actus functionality, particularly the reporting can help us”
Exceptional user uptake
The whole HR team at 7IM has embraced the system, and the partnership with Actus which has resulted in system usage rates in the region of 82% or higher. Swagata Mukherjee, Head of Customer Success at Actus believes that the sponsorship and commitment from the 7IM HR team has played a major part in their success as they have fully engaged with all the functionality, training and other support. Kate continued to explain how the system’s ease of use has also been a huge contributing factor.
“Colleagues engage with the system and the usage is high because the system is user friendly, intuitive and has everything in one place. We only ever get positive feedback about the system and how easy it is to use. I think what happens when we roll out a new module is the users trust the system, know it is going to make their life easier and engage with it”
Kate explained how moving to Actus to carry out the appraisal process made it far more time effective which made managers more inclined to have more meaningful conversations. Taking it from a labour intensive 48 hours of going backwards and forwards to a streamlined 45-minute conversation meant that the process was more engaging rather than painful and drawn out. This has made people more willing to talk quarterly.
“We actually achieve 100% completion of our quarterly reviews. I can’t believe there’s many businesses that achieve this; it’s the system that makes it possible; the efficiency and the ease of use”