Rizing enables businesses to achieve an ‘intelligent enterprise’ through the implementation of SAP HCM technologies and Rizing’s cutting-edge products. Focused on services and consulting around SAP implementations exclusively, Rizing brings laser-focused expertise to all client projects.  A key contributor to their project success is the number of consultants in their ranks who hold SAP SuccessFactors Professional and Associate certifications–the highest in the industry (with 182 unique certified employees holding 88 professional certifications and 434 associate certifications.)

Raven Intelligence spoke with Joanna Murphy, President of Rizing EMEA about Rizing’s approach to the customer relationship and business.  Joanna originally joined Rizing as an SAP SuccessFactors consultant nearly ten years ago and has since then worked various positions within Rizing before being recently appointed as President of their EMEA geography. Prior to joining Rizing, Joanna worked client-side in HR payroll and recruiting roles that helped her learn the challenges that HR professionals face every day.  

Achieving Customer Satisfaction During Implementation

According to customer reviews on Raven Intelligence, Rizing averages a 8.89 / 10 partner satisfaction rate–significantly higher than the 7.3 / 10 HCM industry average. 

“First and foremost, one of the things that uniquely identifies Rizing is the sheer amount of experience that we have. Our team has more professionally certified consultants in the industry, aside from SAP themselves,” said Joanna Murphy, President of Rizing EMEA, when asked what she would attribute the success to.

“That level of experience illustrates the expertise our consultants have,” she continued, “We put the customer at the center of everything we do, and our consultants are top-class.”

In addition to their product expertise, Rizing’s consultants have also walked in the shoes of the customers. They know that an implementation comes with challenges because they’ve done it before. That empathy allows them to build deeper relationships with customers and act as a true partner throughout their implementation.

The Rizing team also undestands that if they don’t do a good job at being responsive, that would damage their reputation with clients. This means that they do everything they can to communicate openly and transparently with their clients.

Solving Challenges Before They Occur

The key to handling implementation challenges? Try to solve them before they occur. Rizing uses communication as a key tool to build relationships with their clients and puts an emphasis on transparency to ensure that both the client and Rizing’s implementation team are on the same page. This helps them nip problems before they show up.

Rizing also works hard to level-set expectations early. Their project managers are able to handle 80% of the problems that occur without needing to escalate or delay solving the problem until the right people are involved.

“Preparation is key,” added Joanna. “You can foresee issues arise, and you will because you see issues repeat from past experiences across many client implementations. By having a very good method, open transparency, and regular communication with all stakeholders, and level setting from day one — that’s hugely beneficial.”

Rizing’s motto is “Do the right thing, even if no one’s looking.” But even with a great motto and all of those things in place, companies still encounter challenges.

“When that happens, it’s our job to step up to the plate as soon as problems arise and deal with them quickly,” continued Joanna. “We strive to keep the dialogue open and keep conversations transparent.”

Hiring for Culture & Commitment

Rizing’s team has the most SAP certifications in the SAP consulting sector, second only to SAP themselves. 

“The really successful consultants are born, not made,” said Joanna. “We love to hire people who are able to consult on a deep level with customers. These consultants aren’t afraid to say no to a client, to tell them that something isn’t a good idea and why.”

Technical skills are important when the Rizing team is looking to expand, but culture is equally as important. Their people bring extra value to their client relationships by being a true partner throughout their implementation journey, and that comes with being committed to creating great customer experiences.

Rizing’s Take on Team Consistency

“Like every organization, people come and go. People move around the org and change roles internally,” said Joanna. “But our goal is to make sure that the customer feels like their support is consistent.”

Rizing makes that happen by building a solid team that supports each other. They make an effort to share knowledge, so even if someone does move to a new role or leaves, the customer doesn’t feel the impacts of the shift.

Rizing also makes sure their consultants aren’t overutilized, which helps prevent burnout and mistakes made from fatigue. This keeps their teams together with consultants who are well-prepared and focused on their projects.

What’s next for Rizing?

Rizing is one of the largest SAP consulting firms but has kept in touch with their small, boutique-like relationships that they offer to customers. They’re looking forward to expanding their Synchrony People & Payroll offering, which is an out-of-the-box HR solution that makes SAP products affordable for customers who are smaller in scale and may not have been able to consider the SAP products previously.

In addition to this, the Rizing team is excited to see their people again. When that day will be is still up in the air, but building relationships with both team members and customers again in person is something for them to look forward to.

For more information about Rizing, visit their website or Raven Intelligence profile.