Staffing Case Studies - HNM Systems, Inc.

Project Overview: One of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies needed assistance with the design, development, and deployment of their new theme park.  This project is all new infrastructure and includes the network, server, and wireless infrastructure to support the needs of their customers.  Our client had a need for highly technical professionals who can solve complex and unique challenges in the network engineering field. 

Proposed Solution: HNM Systems was selected as a strategic technologist talent partner to recruit and hire an engineering team to participate in reviews of network architecture and ensure appropriate security, scalability, safety, redundancy, reliability, and sustainability design strategies are in place and are given proper weighting in the design objectives. HNM’s integrated technologist team members will also maintain configuration management of hardware and software documentation.

Result: In Q1 2023, HNM Systems established a technical recruiting program that consisted of a multi-step screening process. Leveraging HNM’s decades-built SME community and our proprietary sourcing & recruiting processes, thus far HNM has filled specialized roles including Technicians, Jr and Senior Network Engineers, IT Project Managers and AV Managers. 

Based on positive Hiring Manager feedback HNM Systems has been referred to other departments within Universal and are now working with their AV team to fill positions that support the construction, commissioning, and review of AV Systems.

Project Overview: A leading utility construction and network installation company in the Southeast region wanted to develop better customer programs focusing on Florida, Alabama, North Carolina, and Texas. The client needed to onboard approximately 100 employees among these locations to tackle this project. At the helm of this improved hiring initiative was HNM Systems, Inc., which devised a comprehensive strategy to identify and attract the best talent to meet their staffing goals.

Current Market Strategy: HNM Systems began by evaluating the utility leader’s current market strategy and found that a one-size-fits-all method was insufficient to achieve success in every location. They determined that the staffing goals in the Southeast region required a different approach. HNM Systems worked with the client to develop a customized operating model with targeted recruitment campaigns and an in-depth support system to attract and retain top talent. The approach emphasized building stronger relationships with candidates through personalized engagement.

Opening a New Market: To tackle a more challenging market challenge, HNM Systems applied a secondary objective to the hiring plan to expand the utility’s market to Roanoke/Dallas, Texas. They recognized that this expansion presented unique challenges, such as the need to build a new team and understand the nuances of the market. HNM Systems worked closely with critical area and division managers to assess and adjust their recruitment strategy for market challenges. After initial research and mapping the company’s needs, HNM Systems proposed a comprehensive system to identify and recruit potential candidates for the new office.

Establishing a Project Management Team: The utility leader’s main objective was establishing a dedicated project management team for a successful hiring initiative. HNM Systems worked with the utility to find the right project management team to address all process aspects. The team managed candidate communication, coordinated with hiring managers, and provided feedback to the utility stakeholders. This team ensured the hiring initiative stayed on track, from quickly identifying candidates to onboarding new teammates.

Hiring Right of Way/Title Agents: Another element of the successful hiring initiative was targeting right-of-way/title agents. These agents would manage the sizeable overhead right-of-way easements for the utility; these individuals were critical for the utility’s ongoing growth and success. HNM Systems evaluated the required experience and skills for this position and assessed the utility’s expectations and working culture. Once the expectations were aligned, HNM Systems implemented an efficient, comprehensive hiring process that involved a thorough training program to provide knowledge and skills. Fortunately, 40 Right of Way/Title Agents were hired within six months by targeting candidates outside the medical/healthcare industry, including those with customer service skills, research aptitude, and critical thinking abilities.

As an entrepreneur, business owner, or C-suite executive, it is crucial to understand the importance of customized recruitment in the growth and success of your organization. Through HNM Systems’ comprehensive approach, they can incorporate a variety of processes and techniques. Through diligence and hard work, they were able to address the challenges the utility leader faced and help them achieve their hiring goals. HNM Systems encourages companies to prioritize their recruitment strategies for long-term success and to find the best team with a qualified approach to execute them.

KT supports HNM’s international smart grid customer as a Field Engineer in Ohio. He ensures that smart meters are properly reporting through troubleshooting any that have fallen off the network. He loves his job as it allows him to work outside, drive past scenic views, and work independently. He also enjoys when he can participate in special projects, such as his previous trip to Baton Rouge, Louisiana during which he downloaded software to various devices.

KT says the hiring process with HNM went smoothly as they provided a to-do list that kept him focused during what would otherwise be a hectic first week. He also appreciates HNM’s monthly check ins, which show him how willing they really are to help. KT has not only found that the people at HNM are easy to work with but also that HNM’s HR system, Paylocity, is straightforward to use. For instance, with the touch of a few buttons, he’s able to access Paylocity’s mobile app to track his time.

KT also knows he can easily get in touch with someone at HNM, as they typically respond within a couple hours. The fears of transitioning from the military have transformed into peace of mind for KT, as he knows he can always get the counsel and support he needs.

In 2018, the California division of a national engineering and construction company won business with a Fortune 500 telecommunications company. The company built trust and demonstrated value quickly with the help of their chosen staffing firm, HNM Systems.

HNM became a natural extension to their team, helping them quickly screen, recruit, and onboard qualified workers that the regional director calls “top notch.” HNM Outside Plant Engineers assisted with site surveys and permit applications while HNM CAD Drafters assisted with creating permit drawings. The company earned consistent praise from their telecom customer for the quality of their engineering and design work.

The HNM contractors proved to be valuable members of the team as 18 OSP Engineers and CAD Drafters completed their full contract term out of 19, a 95% retention rate. Moreover, the California engineering department experienced tripled revenue in the first 6 months of engaging with HNM.

The company’s successful staffing partnership with HNM is built on the same trust that comes when two companies are driven by integrity, teamwork, and dependability. HNM’s industry expertise and streamlined recruiting, interviewing, and onboarding processes allowed the company to focus on the telecom customer while HNM focused on recruiting. “When it comes to staffing, HNM is a tough team to beat and we look forward to our continued partnership,” says the regional director.

DJ served in the marine corp for over 20 years. He held multiple roles in aviation, including electrician, technician, and Staff NCO. After retiring, he continued working in the aviation industry as an electrical installer, assembler, and systems engineer. 

When HNM recruited DJ to an international smart grid company, DJ noticed HNM was women-owned and felt a different approach to people management. HNM set an example of professional and respectful communication. HNM exemplified being sensitive, yet assertive and getting the job done without interpersonal conflict. While he wasn’t initially sure how to interact in a civilian workplace, DJ took note and was grateful to learn effective skills for his transition.

When his recruiter went on maternity leave, HNM’s CEO, Heather Moyer, stepped in to help and make sure he had everything he needed to succeed. In that instance, DJ saw Heather embody a true leader due to her humility and willingness to serve, even in a seemingly small situation.

Today, DJ still works with smart water meters but has grown in his role from field auditing to field engineering. He also enjoys a higher wage, thanks in part to HNM’s requesting his well-deserved raise from the smart grid company. He’s excited to go to work each day and rests assured, knowing HNM will go to bat for him — whether in finding him a job or requesting his next raise.

A national wireless communications supplier found it challenging to get the right people for the job, despite having over 40 years’ experience, and it’s critical they have the right people in place when they’re working with major customers like AT&T, Verizon, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Social Security Administration.

The Vice President of Engineering and his team face high customer demands, requiring unique processes and quick turnarounds. Hence, they have little time to spend on recruiting. The VP looked to HNM Systems to help grow his team and support rapid growth. He was very pleased with the candidates HNM provided and was able to triple his team. The new employees brought both expertise and a willingness to learn and grow, and they were a great fit for the existing team. Ultimately, the engineering team expanded their relationships with carriers and was able to exceed their revenue goal by 50%.

KF is an Outside Plant Engineer. Earlier in his career, he supported pole loading and deteriorated pole work with utility companies like Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas and Electric. HNM recruited KF to support their customer, who is the nation’s largest provider of communications infrastructure. The intent was for KF to design fiber make-ready, which refers to preparing utility poles to receive new fiber.

While working with HNM’s customer, KF and his team managed subcontractors in the execution of Verizon’s 5G rollout. KF and his team would determine whether they could use existing poles to execute Verizon’s initial direction and, if that weren’t possible, whether to alternatively pursue new underground or lease duct.

Subcontractors compiled field notes and drafted initial designs, and KF would review and make corrections to the drawings. He would also assist in project management, addressing blockers to progress and ensuring that subcontractors met project deadlines.

KF says his experience with HNM was “perfect.” His recruiter thoroughly prepared him for his interviews so that, unlike previous interviews when he felt ill-prepared, he walked in feeling confident and ready. His recruiter also remained in constant contact with him during the background check process, ensuring all his questions were answered. 

HNM followed up on a monthly basis with KF. Adding a personal touch, his recruiter and HNM’s CEO even met him and his team in person. During the pandemic, the communications provider unfortunately performed a widespread layoff. However, HNM was the first to step in and help KF find another job.

KF says HNM helped push his career forward. In his current role brought by HNM, KF enjoys working from home, as it allows him to spend more time with family. KF also loves the camaraderie he’s found through HNM. He senses that the people are close and happy to work together, and he’s grateful to be a part of it.

The nation’s largest provider of communications infrastructure, which owns and operates more than 40,000 cell towers and nearly 80,000 route miles of fiber, desired to expand its venue business.

To this aim, a Program Manager partnered with HNM Systems to establish teams in Texas, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Iowa. HNM pulled through by providing 30 of the highest quality candidates, which included Project Managers, Construction Managers, and Project Coordinators.

The team was ultimately responsible for 15 venues across the Midwest. Certain venues included multiple projects, which meant no time for a slow learning curve and no cushion for costly errors. Despite the addition of so many new employees, the team outperformed its competitors by meeting strict budget and timeline requirements almost perfectly.

Notable work included Wi-Fi at Chicago’s Soldier Field and Phase 5 of Wrigley Field’s renovation during the 2016–17 offseason.

A telecommunications engineer and design firm has earned business with major brands like Walt Disney Company and ABC, JW Marriott Indianapolis, and the Rose Bowl.

The Vice President of Engineering was charged with growing business and needed the talent to take the company there: “It’s not a sales mindset that gets the job done in an engineering business — it’s engineering resources doing an efficient, high-quality job to win new work and gain reputability,” says the VP. Fortunately, with HNM’s partnership, the VP says they were able to achieve that.

The company found that HNM’s experience and deep understanding of the industry’s unique requirements and skillsets meant they delivered top-quality, best-fit candidates. Without sacrificing culture fit for technical know-how or reasonable costs, HNM provided talent that had the right technical experience while also being positive additions to the culture.

Through the 3-year partnership with HNM, the company achieved approximately 150% growth in production, taking the business from $15.6M to $18M and earning them a coveted spot on the Inc. 5000 list. Through engineering’s efficiency and optimizing quality, the company developed strong relationships with carriers, exceeded client expectations, and won new projects.

A leading distributed antenna system (DAS) and Wi-Fi provider has been working hard to achieve its vision of connecting people to the wireless internet from anywhere with any device, from 5G to CBRS to Wi-Fi 6. The company’s vast footprint of DAS, Wi-Fi, and small cell reaches more than 1 billion people annually, making them one of the largest providers of indoor wireless networks.

The company’s Technical Recruiter and his team relied heavily on HNM’s knowledge and experience. HNM helped the team maximize their own resources by taking the workload of filling short-term staffing needs. The Technical Recruiter found that many staffing agencies were not fully honest about their abilities in specialized areas. They were overpromising with no active candidate pools and little experience placing employees in similar roles. Meanwhile, HNM was more than a partner in staffing, providing the HR team with data and market analysis. The HR team also benefited from HNM’s ability to manage hiring managers’ expectations with data to back them up. 

The Technical Recruiter was especially concerned with employee tenure as the company intended to keep its annual attrition below 20%. In their knowledge of the industry, talent pool, and the company itself, HNM shined by delivered only the best-fit talent for the most successful placements. Whereas other agencies would send 15 unsuitable candidates, adding not only an extra workload of sorting through a long list but also a lower quality pool, HNM delivered just three top-quality people who had just the right mix of skills, experience, and culture fit. HNM effectively carried the burden of vetting the right people for the job.

In March of 2012, HNM Systems was identified as a tier-one supplier to support the nationwide site survey, assessment, design and deployment of Wi-Fi for a billion-dollar retailer. HNM Systems successfully provided Wi-Fi labor for the assessment and a team of designers for the deployment nationwide.