How brioHR’s Co-Founder Sees the Future of Payroll Outsourcing

In the ever-evolving business landscape, payroll outsourcing is no longer just about streamlining processes. Today, it's about embracing a vision for change. Benjamin Croc, co-founder of brioHR, sees payroll as a strategic tool for growth, not just a back-office function. brioHR's comprehensive outsourcing service goes beyond traditional solutions; it offers seamless integration and scalability that empowers businesses to adapt and thrive. To get a glimpse into Benjamin’s vision for the future of payroll outsourcing and how brioHR can fuel your company's success, we sat down for an insightful interview.

Q: What motivated brioHR to introduce a payroll outsourcing service?

Benjamin Croc: We already have built what many consider the best HR Platform in Malaysia and Southeast Asia, and have experienced tremendous growth over the past few years. As everything we do is for our clients, many voiced their need to focus a bit more on their people, and a bit less on compliance, but were looking for a cost-effective solution that was well integrated with our HR Platform. So, it is really how we started with the payroll outsourcing service a few months ago. Of course, in true brioHR fashion, we put the bar very high in terms of quality of service, while remaining affordable. The clients who had subscribed to this service expressed that they loved it, and many more are asking us to help them with that, be it in one country, or across several countries in the region. Given the enthusiasm around us providing this service, we decided to launch it publicly and allow more businesses to benefit from it, streamlining their operations and empowering their HR Teams to focus more on the People factor, and less on the compliance and administrative factors.

Q: What are the biggest challenges businesses face when it comes to payroll processing?

Benjamin Croc: Payroll processing can get complex for different reasons depending on your company shape, size, scope, and of course, geographical coverage. We serve a lot of clients who have people across multiple countries. This creates a challenge as you need to master multi-country compliance, and because it is difficult, and the team size does not justify having the strongest experts in-house, companies make mistakes that might prove very expensive down the line. We also have large companies, for which centralising all the payroll information, ensuring it is up to date across all their workforce, and processing everything on time, is a real challenge. Finally, we work with mid-size growing companies who are better not to focus their money and energy on compliance and administrative matters, and rather ensure that their team operates in the best conditions to contribute to the company’s success.

The wrong allocation of time and money can really have an adverse impact on the companies’ mid to long term prospects in terms of growth, profitability, employee engagement, and so on. So, we have developed our service to successfully help those companies, no matter what their own circumstances are.

Q: How does brioHR's outsourcing service support businesses in navigating payroll-related challenges and regulatory changes?

Benjamin Croc: First, at brioHR, we always had a very strong service culture, and are known for it. We always are considered the best at client support, with free live chat support, actual human beings, experts in the relevant field, always ready to help our clients and ensure they won't be left in doubt about compliance challenges.

Second, our culture is deeply rooted in both HR and payroll. This means that we not only focus on the regulatory changes, but we also ensure that when those changes happen, the right communication is in place, and the right client experience is also carefully crafted. So, we have a holistic approach to payroll that goes beyond what the market is offering currently, setting us apart.

Finally, brioHR HR Platform is a cornerstone of our payroll outsourcing services. It is updated in real time by our teams, ensuring compliance anywhere, at any time, with the different regulatory requirements. In addition to that, it also helps companies communicate all required information and documentation directly and efficiently to their employees.

This combination of high-quality service-oriented mindset, holistic approach to HR and payroll, and the best HR Management platform there is, is really why our clients are happy working with us and at peace with all things payroll.

Q: What are the key benefits businesses can expect from using brioHR's payroll outsourcing service?

Benjamin Croc: There are a lot of advantages but here are some of the biggest wins you can expect by partnering with brioHR for your payroll outsourcing:

• Free Up Your HR Team: Let's face it, payroll can be a real time drain. By outsourcing to brioHR, you can free up your HR team to focus on what they do best – attracting and retaining top talent, developing your people, and driving strategic HR initiatives.
• Peace of Mind with Compliance: Payroll regulations are constantly changing, and staying on top of them can be a nightmare. Our team of experts handles all the compliance headaches, so you can rest assured your payroll is always accurate and up-to-date.
• Boost Efficiency, Reduce Costs, and Minimise Errors: Outsourcing payroll can streamline your processes, minimise administrative burdens, and help you avoid costly mistakes. Our efficient systems, economies of scale, and team of payroll experts can help you reduce overhead, free up resources for other areas of your business, and ensure your payroll is always accurate and compliant.
• Expert Support at Your Fingertips: You'll gain access to a dedicated team of payroll and HR specialists who are always happy to answer your questions and provide guidance. Think of us as an extension of your HR department!
• Happier Employees: When payroll runs smoothly and employees get paid accurately and on time, it contributes to a more positive work environment.

brioHR's outsourcing service is a comprehensive solution designed to take the burden off your shoulders and empower your HR team to focus on what truly matters – your employees.

Q: Is brioHR's payroll outsourcing service suitable for businesses of all sizes?

Benjamin Croc: Absolutely! brioHR's payroll outsourcing service is designed to be scalable and adaptable to the needs of businesses of all sizes. Here are a few success stories that showcase how our service benefits companies across the spectrum:

• Growing Companies (70 Employees, APAC Presence, HQ in Singapore): For companies like this one with a geographically dispersed workforce, managing payroll in-house can be expensive and complex. brioHR's solution provides a single vendor for both payroll processing and HR platform, allowing them to streamline operations and reduce operational costs by 60% – a significant advantage for growing businesses.
• Large Organisations with High Employee Turnover (700 Employees, 80 Locations in Malaysia): For larger companies with high employee turnover, centralised processes and data management are crucial. brioHR's combined HRMS and payroll outsourcing service helps streamline workflows, manage employee data effectively, and reduce friction. Additionally, access to dedicated HR and payroll specialists acts as an extension of their team, improving the overall employee experience.
• Start-Ups with Limited Resources (20 Employees, Malaysia, No HR Team, Payroll Done by Owner with no HR Experience): For young companies without dedicated HR personnel, payroll processing can be a major source of stress and consume a significant amount of a busy founder's time. brioHR’s team of specialists handles the complexities of payroll processing, ensuring compliance and freeing up valuable time for the owner to focus on core business activities like growth strategies and product development. Our managed payroll services are designed to be cost-effective for startups, providing a valuable solution without breaking the bank.

These are just a few examples, and brioHR can tailor its service to meet the specific needs of your business, regardless of size or complexity.

Q: Can you walk us through the process of implementing brioHR's outsourcing service for a new client?

Benjamin Croc: It is actually super easy to implement brioHR's outsourcing service, reflecting our overall commitment to providing the best client experience from the very first touchpoint. Here's a general overview of the process:

• Initial Contact: Once a client expresses their payroll needs and interest in partnering with brioHR, a consultant will carefully assess their situation and recommend the most suitable options from our service offerings. This initial stage typically leads to a swift agreement.
• Implementation Planning: Once the agreement is in place, we move to the implementation phase. Clients are paired with highly qualified specialists who act as their single point of contact and coordinate the entire process. These specialists will organise a kick-off call to provide complete clarity on timelines, required information, and next steps.
• Streamlined Implementation: brioHR handles everything for the client, including setup and data migration. The timeframe for implementation can vary depending on the size and complexity of the client's business, as well as the scope of services they've subscribed to. In general, you can expect the implementation process to take at least one month.
• Training and Support: Depending on the subscribed services, the implementation might conclude with training sessions to ensure clients can leverage their relationship with brioHR to the fullest. Our ongoing support ensures a smooth transition and continued success.

Q: What differentiates brioHR's payroll outsourcing service from competitors?

Benjamin Croc: Great question! The key differentiator for brioHR lies in our comprehensive approach to payroll outsourcing.

• Dedicated Payroll Experts: Our team of highly trained specialists takes care of everything for you, from ensuring compliance with local regulations to minimising errors and providing ongoing support. You can rest assured your payroll is in expert hands.
• Integrated HRMS: But brioHR goes beyond just processing your payroll. We offer a user-friendly HRMS that seamlessly integrates with our payroll service. This creates a one-stop shop for all your HR needs, eliminating the need for juggling separate systems for employee data, leave requests, claims, and performance management.
• Benefits of Integration: This integrated approach offers several advantages:
  • Reduced Costs: Combined HR and payroll saves money on purchasing and upgrading multiple software licenses.
  • Enhanced Efficiency: Less data entry reduces errors and streamlines workflows for both HR and employees.
  • Simplified Reporting: Easily generate reports with all HR and payroll data in one centralized location.

By outsourcing your payroll with brioHR, you gain a dedicated team of experts, a user-friendly HRMS, and the efficiency and cost savings of a truly integrated solution.

Q: What measures does brioHR have in place to safeguard client data and ensure confidentiality?

Benjamin Croc: At brioHR, data security is paramount. We use top-tier encryption, access controls, and monitoring to keep your information safe. Our team undergoes background checks and regular security training. Multiple layers of security restrict unauthorised access.

brioHR adheres to all relevant data privacy regulations and stores your data on secure AWS cloud infrastructure. Daily and monthly backups ensure quick recovery in case of any issues.

This comprehensive approach allows you to focus on your business with the confidence that your data is secure and your payroll is processed efficiently and on time.

Q: What level of customer support does brioHR offer with its payroll outsourcing service?

Benjamin Croc: brioHR prioritises exceptional customer support, and it's a key differentiator for our service. We understand that timely and accurate answers are crucial, but we go beyond that. Our clients consistently praise our responsiveness and human touch. This high-touch approach gives you peace of mind, knowing you have a dedicated support team ready to assist you – come what may.

As a fun anecdote to this commitment, we actually hired a dedicated support team well before we even had our first client! This commitment ensures that, right from the very beginning, our clients receive unmatched support. After all, we believe that exceptional support is just as important as the product or service itself.

Here's what you can expect from brioHR:

• Live Chat Support: Our live chat support operates during extended office hours, offering a convenient and efficient way to get answers to your payroll and HR questions. The average response time for live chat inquiries is under 3 minutes, ensuring you receive prompt assistance.
• Expert Support Team: Our support team is comprised of payroll and HR specialists, as well as technical support staff. This combination ensures you have access to the right expertise to address your specific needs.
• Multiple Channels: While live chat is popular, we also offer email support for inquiries that require a more detailed explanation or involve attached documents.
• High Client Satisfaction: We take pride in our high client satisfaction rating, which currently sits above 97%.

Q: How does brioHR envision its outsourcing service evolving in response to changing industry trends and client needs?

Benjamin Croc: brioHR is constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of our clients and the industry, with a keen eye on cost-effectiveness and efficiency. Here are some key areas of focus:

• HR Technology Integration: We see a growing demand for seamless integration between payroll and HR platforms. brioHR will continue to invest in advanced integrations to create a truly unified HR experience for our clients, reducing the need for multiple software subscriptions and streamlining workflows, ultimately reducing costs and increase efficiency.
• Data-Driven Insights: HR professionals are increasingly relying on data to make informed decisions that can optimise processes and save money. brioHR is developing robust reporting and analytics tools to provide our clients with deeper insights into their workforce and HR processes, allowing them to identify areas for cost savings and make data-driven decisions.
• Emerging Technologies: We're closely monitoring the rise of AI, automation, and blockchain in the HR space. brioHR will explore how these technologies can be leveraged to streamline workflows, personalise the employee experience, and enhance data security, potentially leading to significant improvements in areas like HR administration and compliance management.
• Global Expansion: As businesses expand internationally, the need for Employer of Record (EOR) services is growing rapidly. brioHR will continue to expand our EOR offerings, making it easier for companies to enter new markets without the burden of setting up legal entities, which can be a significant cost barrier for international expansion. This allows them to test out new markets efficiently before committing significant resources.

Q: What message would you like to convey to businesses considering brioHR's payroll outsourcing service?

Benjamin Croc: I would first like to thank them for considering brioHR for your payroll outsourcing needs. They are knocking at the right door if they want quality, efficient, and high touch service, to ensure that their HR Team is actually empowered and supported when it comes to compliance and other administrative tasks.

I also think they will love working with us, benefiting from our combination of unmatched expertise, a first-class HR Management Platform, and supportive approach to our clients. Come join us, you won’t regret it!