CHARLESTON, S.C – SEPT. 28, 2011 – What do industry-leading C-Store companies like The Parker Companies, Ricker Oil Company and Flash Foods have in common? They have a proven commitment to outstanding customer service, clean and friendly environments, and PeopleMatter.

PeopleMatter provides the only talent management system specifically designed for the C-Store industry. Companies can manage all of their people processes from one, integrated platform with PeopleMatter's online suite of mobile-social HR tools. C-Stores using PeopleMatter HIRE™ to optimize their recruiting, tracking and onboarding, generate significant returns in time-to-hire, retention, candidate quality, interview efficiency and tax credit collection. The proof is in the numbers.

Flash Foods
Technology forerunners in the industry, Flash Foods is another industry leader using PeopleMatter's solutions. Flash Foods selected PeopleMatter's integrated platform for its simplicity and usability, especially for candidates and frontline employees.

In June 2011, Flash Foods deployed HIRE to its 171 locations across the southeast. PeopleMatter's hiring module integrated seamlessly with Flash's current payroll system (with more than 1,800 employees' data) for zero downtime and easy information-transfer. By the end of this year, Flash Foods projects the solution will triple the number of candidates the C-Store qualifies for available hiring incentives, for a potential increase of tax credit funds by more than 195 percent. Also with HIRE the company is on target to decrease turnover by a conservative 5 percent estimate and has quickly on-boarded 343 applicants since June.

"PeopleMatter expanded our applicant pool extensively," said Jenny Bullard, Flash Foods Chief Information Officer.. "With our increase in applications, PeopleMatter's assessments help sort through candidates for the right fit. Now our managers can focus on the business rather than completing paperwork."

Parker's
Parker's Convenience Stores, a 34-unit southeastern C-Store operation, began screening applicants with PeopleMatter HIRE™ in November 2010. Operating with a 'we do what it takes' philosophy, every executive and manager joined the company as an entry-level hire, and all employees–-regardless of position–-pitch in to provide the best customer service. To achieve this commitment to quality, the company must hire the highest-caliber candidates.

When trying to fill positions quickly in the high-volume, high-turnover service industry, time is money. Before implementing PeopleMatter, Parker's hiring process averaged seven days. Pre-screening candidates, using HIRE's automated Assessments, Background Checks and Tax Credits components, condensed the process to three days, reducing time-to-hire by 57.14 percent.

Hiring assessments helped cut Parker's turnover rate in half–-reaching a record-low 16.59 percent. Across all of its locations, the C-Store replaced only 34 employees over a three-month period. Additionally, all of the candidates Parker's hired despite assessment warnings were eventually terminated for the exact reasons HIRE predicted. Managers now use test results to weed out unqualified candidates and only interview those who fit the company culture and standards. Last quarter, Parker's eliminated 22 percent of applicants before being interviewed due to HIRE's assessment recommendations.

"With PeopleMatter, we are hiring a better quality employee and keeping them longer," said Beth Harn, Parker's Human Resources Manager. "The biggest benefit we've experience is through the tax credits we collect. We've found 60-67 percent of our new-hires qualify for hiring incentives thanks to HIRE."

Screening for tax credit eligibility helps employers earn money by hiring people from defined categories. A large percentage of the people C-Stores typically employ fall into these groups, but most employers do not file for available incentives. According to the Department of Labor, companies' credits average $2,400 per employee, and can reach $9,000.

Ricker's
Ricker's, originally founded as Ricker Oil Company, Inc., is a family-owned business that has grown organically over the last 32 years. Today, second-generation president and CEO, Quinn Ricker, heads the 51-unit C-Store that employs more than 600 people. The company deployed HIRE in December 2010 and PeopleMatter LEARN™ in June 2011.

With its former applicant tracking system, Ricker's had little control and efficiency in its hiring processes. Managers were at the 'mercy' of the previous provider to make even small system changes, and they wasted hours fielding calls from candidates confused and frustrated with the hiring system. Inadequate assessment capabilities also drove the company to find a more efficient solution.

In switching to HIRE's Web-based platform, the company gained mobile flexibility. Admins can now add a store location, complete an I-9 or tweak an application question anytime, anywhere via the Internet. In addition, Ricker's will use LEARN to train their employees via a centralized, online system to develop skilled, passionate team members.

Ricker's HR Director, Karen Mitchener, values PeopleMatter's exceptional customer service. Not only does she receive a monthly call to check on client satisfaction, but also provides product input and ideas–-and sees results. After Mitchener requested a more robust reporting feature, PeopleMatter immediately added the capability to HIRE, and Ricker's currently quantifies its hiring improvements with the tool.

"I can not begin to express the depth of my appreciation to PeopleMatter, because they listen–-to both critisim and ideas–-on how I would make the PeopleMatter Platform better," said Mitchener. "You can't put a price tag on a vendor that truly listens to their users."

"We designed our technology to meet the needs of the service industy," said Nate DaPore, PeopleMatter president and CEO. "PeopleMatter's integrated, automated solution gives industry-leading C-Stores a competitive advantage in an ever-changing technological environment."

About PeopleMatter
PeopleMatter provides the only comprehensive talent management solution for the service industry. We help employers identify, develop and engage dependable talent to provide exemplary customer service. PeopleMatter's platform of HR tools handles hiring, scheduling, learning, recognition and performance management. Our integrated technology manages the process, so employers can focus on the talent. PeopleMatter. The name says it all. PeopleMatter is headquartered in Charleston, S.C., and on the Web at www.peoplematter.com.