Recent Press

Building A Human Resource Firm That Improves A Company’s Competitive Position

Monday, July 26, 2010

Heather McCloskey, a graduate of Temple University, is the President and Founder of McCloskey Partners, a full-service Human Resource Firm located in Perkasie, Pa. Ms. McCloskey, who has over 20 years of human resources experience working in such industries as transportation, logistics, health care, pharmaceuticals, investing, automotive, legal and manufacturing, built a 20-person regional consulting firm. She is also a recognized subject matter expert for NBC10’s “Survive and Thrive” series. Heather talks about building her company.

Marc Kramer: Why did you get into human resources?

Heather McCloskey: Truthfully, human resources sort of found me. My earliest “position” in HR was at the age of fifteen. I helped students applying to medical school complete their applications. To get to this, I interviewed the students and then assisted them in writing their “story” to help them stand out from the crowd and get selected to join the medical school of their choice. From that, I garnered so many referrals that I established a relationship with the Dean of Admissions at a local well-known medical school. A few years later, I was working full-time for this person!

What solidified my passion for HR was my early experience with a difficult HR situation. I witnessed sexual harassment in the workplace and had to make the difficult decision to say nothing and preserve my job or speak the truth and risk losing it. I chose to follow my gut and subsequently played a major part in a huge harassment lawsuit. I felt that the HR department for this organization failed to help the victimized employee. This defining moment in my career prompted my commitment to work diligently as an HR professional and ombudsman to properly assist both employers and employees in a fair and respectful environment.

MK: Why did you start your firm?

HM: I was drawn to HR early on as well as to becoming an entrepreneur. Starting my own HR firm was a dream of mine that I had for years prior to making it a reality. Small- to medium-sized employers have similar issues and struggles as larger corporations, but have smaller budgets and a lesser need for a full-time HR professional(s) in-house. I wanted to provide the skills and expertise of a professional, corporate HR department to these smaller employers. We are able to fulfill the needs of our clients in a practical, cost-efficient manner.

MK: What is your firm’s mission?

HM: Our mission is to partner with our corporate clients and assist them in making major employment-related decisions that are cost effective and that minimize their liability risks.

MK: What have you liked most about owning your own business?

HM: I feel extremely fortunate that I get to wake up every day and do something I love to do. I thrive on the challenge of realizing my personal goals and dreams. I enjoy making a difference in people’s lives by helping to solve problems, improve relations and impact the success of our clients. As a woman business owner, I take pride in mentoring other businesswomen by helping them to set goals, define their dreams, and create paths to achieve both.

MK: What do you like least?

HM: I dislike the detailed, daily management of the business. Since I am a small employer, I am the person managing every aspect of the business. I look forward to the day when I have an Operations Manager to manage the day to day business details. Lucky for me, I have an incredible team that is being groomed to move up into different key roles in the company.

MK: What type of people do you look to hire?

HM: We look to hire staff that have an internal drive to succeed, a strong work ethic and a commitment to excellence. The ability to multitask and a sense of humor help as well! Our team is comprised of incredibly intelligent and gifted employees that share my passion for helping our clients succeed. They are the best of the best and are the star performers in each of their disciplines. They are each subject matter experts and all I do is give them a chance to truly excel.

MK: What is the greatest value you bring to your clients?

HM: We bring our passion, know-how and commitment to excellence to every situation. We develop relationships with every one of our clients and are grateful for the confidence and trust that they place in us.

Over the last few years, our clients have struggled through some difficult times due to the economy. We feel we have a moral obligation to continue to help our clients through this journey. We continually review our rates to ensure that they are reasonable and fitting for the exceptional services we provide. Our high client retention rate is proof that we are doing something right.

MK: Are there any leadership books you recommend to your clients?

HM: I recommend Leadership is an Art by Max Dupree. It addresses how to empower those around you to reach their full potential. It emphasizes the importance of building relationships, initiating ideas, communication and enlisting the strengths, talents and skills of those around you. Being a leader is more than just “leading” people - it is about fostering an environment that promotes the development of additional effective leaders. Any type of leader - business, family, community, etc.- could benefit from reading this book.

MK: What is the greatest lesson you have learned from having your own business that you apply to your customers?

HM: I have learned to be patient. As an entrepreneur, I am someone that wants and needs things to happen right now, today. Even in our world of “immediate gratification,” projects may not be completed, problems may not be solved and success may not be achieved as quickly as we would like. All of us need to practice the virtue of patience.

Marc Kramer, who is the author of five books and a faculty member at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, is a serial entrepreneur.