“After the implementation of PORTERS, management and process visualization have progressed through systemization.” Pasona Recruitment (Thailand) Co., Ltd., Mr. Magari
Pasona Group is a leading staffing company that develops a wide range of human resource service in Japan and overseas. They implemented PORTERS at its overseas branches with the aim of visualizing management and processes. We interviewed Mr. Magari, Managing Director of Pasona Recruitment (Thailand) Co., Ltd about the background of the implementation of PORTERS and the points of improvement that they experienced after the implementation.
―First, please tell us about your business.
Pasona started as business centered on staffing services in 1976. Eight years later, in 1984, we entered Hong Kong as “Pasona Asia,” and it is almost 40 years since we expanded overseas as a group company. Pasona group has the longest history of overseas expansion among Japanese recruitment companies. Currently, the group has a total of 55 corporations in 15 countries, providing a wide range of services centered on human resources around the world.
―What kind of businesses are you doing in Thailand?
Pasona Group has 4 companies in Thailand. First there is “Pasona Recruitment Thailand”, which handles the recruitment service in Thailand. Then there is “Pasona HR Consulting Thailand” which provides consulting services related to HR such as Evaluation system design, engagement survey, voluntary retirement support etc. There is also “Pasona Overseas Recruitment” which supports Thai people with specific skills and technical intern trainees to work in Japan. The last company is a welfare system support provider agency called ‘Benefit One’. “Overseas Recruitment” has not materialized due to the effects of Corona, but the strength of the group offers not only recruitment service, but also provide HR one stop solution such as post-recruitment training, system design, and welfare programs.
―What are the events that led to your implementation PORTERS?
We used to use the same system across many of our overseas branches. The system was used without any modifications or localization even for the companies with long history such as our Thailand branch. We also did not make much investment and with the advancement in IT, the system became obsolete. In addition, the system was not very useful and was mainly used as a data storage point. Job-candidate matching, and process tracking was done in Excel and physical paper.
I came to Thailand about 3 years ago, and I was very surprised to see the consultants printing out data and materials and storing many books in cabinets, and each time turning the pages to find a matching candidate for a position. I thought the data management situation was too unsuitable for the current times. Remote work started due to the effects of Corona, but such paper management could not be of use at all. There was that sense that we were in a crisis and needed to implement a system that can respond to current times and environment. That was the beginning of the search for a new system.
―In your search for a new system, did you consider other options apart from PORTERS?
Yes we did. Our branch in Vietnam specializes in IT, and we considered developing an inhouse system. In addition, our other branches were using systems from other vendors, so we collected information and compared them to PORTERS.
―What was the reason for choosing PORTERS?
It is because we felt that Porters has a deep understanding of the human resource industry and have a good grasp of the problems, issues, and key points in the business. In addition, since we have many branches and the processes and laws related to employment differ depending on the country, the fact that we can freely customize according to the company culture and management style of each country was well received by each branch. We decided on PORTERS because of the trust Porters has in the market, the large number of customer base, and the customization feature which we required for our management.
―Were there any other essential requirements for the system other than customization?
It was essential that the system was cloud-based, which can be accessed anytime, anywhere, it had to possess a matching function, and be able to digitize all the paper-based management we had been doing. I really wanted to get rid of the paper and Excel management, so I put the most emphasis on the aspect of the system being a management tool.
―Did you experience any difficulty while implementing PORTERS?
The implementation was simultaneous across several overseas offices of which each country had their own independent ways of operation without any linkage to other offices. Ideally, the implementation should have been done for one office and the format used as the base for the other offices then do the fine-tuning by customization. However, since the implementation of the same system in different offices with independent ways of operation was being done, it was a challenge to listen to the needs of each office and customize the system accordingly.
―What kind of improvements have you experience since implementing PORTERS?
As for the Thailand branch, the system was implemented at the end of April, and customization has been ongoing since then. Therefore, members’ process management and visual improvements are continuing. In other branches, they have reported that management of KPI and visualization of numerical values have become extremely easy. In addition, since previously we had candidates’ data etc. on paper, it was like a black box problem. But after the implementation of PORTERS, management and process visualization have progressed through systemization. It has also become possible to collect information individually from the central database and that is a very big point for us. All in all, I feel that the management advantage is great on PORTERS.
―Is there anything that has changed in management or process visualization?
I feel that there are two benefits resulting from visualization. First, all the unclear information is now shown in form of concrete numerical data. We used to give abstract expressions such as “this is good” and “recently there is an increase” but now the current processes can be shown in terms of numerical data. The other point is that it is possible to forget or miss something while you are working. However, now the tasks are clearly outlined, and the reminder function has made it possible to follow up on outstanding tasks without omission.
―Do you have any improvement suggestions or requests for certain features you would like us to make on PORTERS?
I hope there can be smoother linkage to external sites, services, and systems. For example, when a job seeker is given an aptitude test, the result is automatically reflected into PORTERS. In addition, currently in order to track the achievement rate against the set goal, we have to export records from PORTERS into Excel format. Unfortunately, we are going back to excel again, but I feel management would be much easier if the tracking of the performance of individuals in each country is done on PORTERS.
―We have received similar requests from other clients, so we will work to actualize it. How was the support from Porters?
The support from Porters was great. The feedback came from not only Thailand office but also from other overseas branches that the sales representative and the implementation consultant were excellent. We are very grateful for the speedy and constant support we got during the implementation period through the weekly meetings and also for addressing our questions and problems after the implementation. I’m grateful for the prompt responses to customization needs.
―Thank you very much. Finally, please tell us about the future outlook of your business development.
As we continue to globalize the overseas branches of Pasona Group, our goal is to become the “Pasona Group of the World” through offering a one stop solutions and total solutions to the world. In most of our overseas branches, recruitment is the main service. But in some cases, it is not the best solution, so we would like to support our customer’s business expansion by offering our support according to customer’s requests and issues faced. Each branch carries the idea that the action plan for the next 2~3 years is not to focus on recruitment business alone but to deploy and expand new solutions that will continue to expand our business offering.
― Thank you very much!
Interview date: 2021 October 21st
※The contents (affiliation, job title, etc.) are as of the time of the interview.
Pasona Recruitment (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
98 Sathorn Square Office Tower, 26th Floor, Room No. 2602-2604,
North Sathorn Road, Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500 THAILAND
Pasona Thailand was established in Bangkok, Thailand in November 2012 as the Thai branch of the Pasona Group to meet the global human resources needs of Japanese companies which is to provides comprehensive personnel services to Japanese companies expanding overseas. Pasona Gorup has 55 corporations in 15 countries. In addition to the recruitment business, the company offers services related to personnel such as training, payroll, HR consulting and reemployment support.
PORTERS ATS/CRM is a comprehensive cloud-based Applicant Tracking System for Recruitment Business.
The system greatly supports recruitment business in productivity improvement from small-scale to large-scale business, with high customization.
Porters Corporation was founded in 2001 in Japan, and more than 2,000 companies globally trust our service.
PORTERS ATS/CRM is a comprehensive cloud-based Applicant Tracking System for Recruitment Business.
The system greatly supports recruitment business in productivity improvement from small-scale to large-scale business, with high customization.
Porters Corporation was founded in 2001 in Japan, and more than 2,000 companies globally trust our service.
PORTERS ATS/CRM is a comprehensive cloud-based Applicant Tracking System for Recruitment Business.
The system greatly supports recruitment business in productivity improvement from small-scale to large-scale business, with high customization.
Porters Corporation was founded in 2001 in Japan, and more than 2,000 companies globally trust our service.