Value Visionary Series

Transforming HR Processes with HubbubHR’s Adaptive Human Capital Management (aHCM)

Interview with

Ashley Chow

Global Human Resources Project Manager, Armstrong Fluid Technology

About Ashley Chow

Ashley Chow, a seasoned Global Human Resources Project Manager at Armstrong Fluid Technology, has been at the forefront of driving HR innovation and strategic initiatives since July 2018. With over six years of experience in her current role, Ashley has been instrumental in transforming HR processes and leveraging technology to enhance human capital management. In this insightful interview, Ashley shares her valuable perspectives on implementing and utilising HubbubHR's Adaptive Human Capital Management (aHCM) system, offering a deep dive into how this technology has revolutionised HR processes and supported strategic objectives in a global workforce context.

When did you implement HubbubHR and why was it the right choice?

We implemented HubbubHR about 5 years ago. Prior to this, our company was using Excel to track most of our employee data, which led to accuracy issues and hindered our ability to be proactive and strategic HR partners. We had long-term goals of integrating various HR functions like compensation, performance management, succession planning, training and development in as few platforms as possible.

HubbubHR offered a solution that could tie most of our needs into one system, enabling us to drive our programs with fluid information across our global HR and management teams. It was the right choice because it fit our company's global operational needs at a reasonable price point.

HubbubHR's modular approach allowed us to customise costs based on which additional programs we wanted to prioritise. Moreover, the HubbubHR team listens to customers and they are keenly focused on a continuous improvement approach to ensure their platform is aligned with market needs. Throughout the years that we've partnered, there have been multiple updates to their platform, with enhancements and functionality based on customer feedback and requests.

How does the HubbubHR platform support your global workforce and strategic HR objectives?

The HubbubHR platform is designed to support our global workforce while supporting local nuances. It provides configurable fields and options to house all general and locally required data for employees, with built-in global functionality including multiple languages and country-specific data fields. This ensures a similar experience for users worldwide, creating peace of mind that our users around the world have a consistent experience across all countries where our population is concentrated.

The platform also offers robust security features, including customisable security permissions and compliance with local legal requirements like GDPR. By housing global employee data in one platform, we can provide management teams with a holistic view of our human capital. This enables us to devise strategies for change management and program rollouts at both global and local levels, as well as identify and capitalise on opportunities and threats based on demographic trends over time.

How have you leveraged HubbubHR to transform HR processes?

Implementing HubbubHR has significantly improved our data management and dissemination processes. Local HR manager teams now have instant access to the latest reports, a stark contrast to the previous system where we had to wait for days after month-end for centralised data pooling. This change has greatly enhanced HR's credibility and value, both locally and globally.

The system proved particularly valuable during the Covid pandemic when we needed to make time-sensitive decisions on work locations and payroll costs in relation to local subsidy programs. Having immediate access to accurate data for justification, insights, and recommendations was crucial to maintaining HR's reputation and demonstrating our value to the organisation. The impact on our local teams has been significant, changing the credibility of HR's data at all levels of the organisation.

Looking ahead, while we haven't yet rolled out all the features of HubbubHR, our plan is to drive our additional programs in a more automated fashion using the platform. Our transition from Excel documents, which required extensive security precautions in file-sharing, would allow us to divert our time from micromanaging file security to training managers and employees on the what and how of these programs. This shift in focus enables us to prioritise more strategic activities. Additionally, other HR initiatives with time sensitive deliverables benefit from the resources freed up by the HubbubHR platform, allowing us to balance and address diverse HR needs more effectively.

What have been the stand-out features and benefits of using HubbubHR?

One of the most notable aspects of HubbubHR is its intuitive interface. The system is user-friendly and customisation is straightforward due to built-in configurability and the flexibility to make adjustments as needed. The HubbubHR team also provides comprehensive manuals that superusers can reference, allowing many questions to be addressed immediately without external support.

How would you describe your experience partnering with HubbubHR?

My experience partnering with HubbubHR has been wonderful. Their level of after-sale support and communication is refreshingly different compared to some larger-scale vendors that rely on outsourced, scripted customer service. The HubbubHR team takes questions and feedback with context, providing tailored solutions and replies that address our specific circumstances.

There's a genuine personal touch in their approach that would encourage me to select them for future collaborations if I were to implement an HRIS at another company. HubbubHR's time-to-response commitment was a definite green flag and contributed to our final decision. This prompt responsiveness maintains users' confidence and trust in the system, especially when dealing with inevitable issues that can arise over time.

Any final thoughts on HubbubHR's impact on your HR operations?

While we haven't yet fully utilised all of HubbubHR's features, the platform has significantly improved our HR operations. It has freed up resources, enhanced data accuracy, and improved our ability to make strategic decisions. The intuitive nature of the system, the ability to adapt and configure it to suit our global needs, coupled with excellent customer support, makes HubbubHR a valuable and trusted partner in our HR transformation journey.