edding AG is a listed stationery manufacturer based in Ahrensburg. For decades, the company has stood for quality in felt-tip pens, markers and other writing instruments, as well as for colour sprays and nail varnishes. Today, edding AG is an operational holding company with subsidiaries in 9 countries. With rexx Recruitment, an applicant management system has now been introduced that offers not only high flexibility but also particular user-friendliness. Mandy Meißner, Human Resources at edding, gives us an insight into the selection process and the project phase.
rexx systems: Ms Meissner, how did you hear about rexx systems?
Mandy Meißner (MM): “The basis of our search for the right partner for the first-time introduction of an applicant management system at edding was the creation of an internal requirements profile, detached from the service catalogues of various suppliers. In addition to general criteria for a service provider (e.g. size and history of the partner, expandability of the product range, references, etc.), certain requirements had to be met by the actual solution (flexibility in mapping recruiting processes, absolute user-friendliness for applicants and recruiters, integration into edding CI, etc. and of course the costs). In addition, we have derived various exclusion criteria”.
What ultimately tipped the scales for rexx Recruitment?
MM: “Using this checklist, we compared several solutions, met some potential partners and in the end decided to work with rexx systems. The decisive factor for us was first and foremost the flexibility of the solution, which enables us to create a very simple, fast and intuitive application process from the applicant’s point of view, embedded at every point in the edding world. Feedback from applicants after the introduction in February 2017 confirms exactly this. The very close contact with rexx systems during this period also contributed to our decision; in particular the genuine interest in a joint solution”.
So what happened next?
MM: “Throughout the entire project phase, competent contact persons who were present at all times guided us, advised us and supported us with a lot of patience in the necessary preparatory work. The training sessions that took place were very intensive, but at the same time pleasantly relaxed at all times. Our project team adapted wonderfully to us and the internal company requirements.”
How did the project phase go, especially the collaboration with rexx systems?
MM: “A major problem for us during the implementation of the project concerned the availability of internal resources. The introduction of a new applicant management system, coupled with the relaunch of new career pages, had to be handled exclusively by our own staff. We would like to take this opportunity to thank our recruiting team and especially our brand management, who were responsible for the implementation of the website and the integration of the job search function. With a lot of patience we were also supported by rexx systems.“
What do you particularly like about the rexx systems software?
MM: “After the implementation we are now very satisfied with the result. The applicant portal is absolutely clear and user-friendly. Our internal processes have been accelerated considerably and the susceptibility to errors in the entire process has been reduced. For the first time we have the possibility to evaluate reaction times and costs, among other things”.
What do your decision-makers / clerks say about rexx Recruitment?
MM: “The feedback from our colleagues in the department is convincing: The digital processing of applications was long overdue. By the function of directly forwarding applications to the specialist decision-makers for certain positions, we have become very fast in recruitment.
The operation of the portal as specialist decision-makers is described as intuitive. So far we have not seen the need for special training; the development for a quick guide as a one-pager for the specialist department has proved very successful”.
What happens if questions or problems do arise?
MM: “The Customer Advisor Team is available to us for further questions. Enquiries are processed quickly here. Training on special topics is offered on an ongoing basis.”
What is your conclusion? Would you choose rexx systems again?
MM: “Overall, we can recommend the applicant management of rexx systems. I would speak of a solution for high demands, which leaves a lot of leeway for your own design and can be administered on your own responsibility. Our goal of responding to each customer individually – and this includes the approximately 5,000 applications we receive each year for our German sites alone – has thus also been realised by our colleagues from the HR department, because every applicant as a customer of our company is also a potential edding user”.
