BLACKWOOD HODGE KENYA
How Blackwood Hodge Kenya deployed ZOHO PEOPLE to streamline their core HR Management functions.
THE CLIENT
Blackwood Hodge Kenya has been a leading generator specialist in Kenya since 1949. In partnership with FG Wilson, a global leader with over 50 years of experience in the power industry, we excel in every aspect of FG Wilson generator set solutions. Our expertise spans the entire process, from selecting the right generator for your needs to installation, commissioning, parts delivery and comprehensive aftermarket support & maintenance. You can rely on Blackwood Hodge Kenya for dependable power solutions.
Our portfolio expanded in 2019 with the inclusion of Clark, a globally renowned material handling equipment supplier who continues to lead the industry with its innovative and reliable warehouse management solutions.
In 2024, we further enhanced our offering by adding distribution rights of Xylem pumps. Xylem is a leader in developing innovative water solutions through smart technology.
CLIENT TESTIMONIAL
"As our company grew, managing our workforce became a daunting challenge. Without a proper system, everything from tracking attendance to processing payroll felt chaotic, and we were buried in spreadsheets, struggling with leave requests, performance reviews, and compliance. The inefficiencies were impacting our team’s ability to sustain the pace. However, with the implementation of Zoho People and the Payroll Master App, we've completely transformed how we manage our workforce. What was once a time-consuming and disorganized process is now seamless and efficient. Centralized data, automated workflows, and real-time insights have not only eliminated past inefficiencies but have empowered our team to focus on delivering exceptional value to clients. This solution has truly been a game-changer for our growth and operational excellence."
- Silvester Ng’ethe, IT Specialist, Blackwood Hodge Kenya
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Blackwood Hodge Kenya, a power solutions company specializing in generators, faced escalating challenges in managing its HR and People Management functions following a recent acquisition and expansion of its service lines. The rapid increase in staff rendered traditional, manual processes for managing core HR activities - such as maintaining staff records, attendance tracking, leave management, performance evaluations and payroll processing - inefficient, error-prone and time-consuming.
These challenges were further compounded by the need for seamless coordination across an expanded organization, compliance with local and global standards introduced by the parent company and the demand for timely, data-driven decision-making. Because of the rapid growth and acquisition, Blackwood Hodge Kenya faced difficulties integrating legacy systems with modern HR technologies, ensuring data accuracy, maintaining employee engagement and scaling HR processes to meet increased operational demands. These inefficiencies risked undermining productivity, employee satisfaction and overall organizational agility.
PROPOSED SOLUTION(s)
Mediacent Interactive, leveraging its expertise in transforming HR operations for growing businesses, proposed an integrated solution powered by ZOHO PEOPLE and Payroll Master Kenya App (Payroll solution that Mediacent’s IP). This dynamic suite combines cutting-edge automation with user-friendly design, tailored to streamline core HR processes, eliminate inefficiencies, and enhance workforce productivity.
Key Features and Benefits that Blackwood Hodge Kenya would enjoy with this installation include but are not limited to:
Centralized Employee Data: Consolidates staff records in a secure, accessible platform, ensuring data accuracy and reducing administrative workload.
Automated Attendance Management: Tracks employee attendance in real time, integrates with biometric devices, and generates detailed reports effortlessly.
Comprehensive Leave Management: Simplifies leave requests, approvals, and tracking with customizable policies and visibility across the organization.
Performance Management: Provides a robust framework for goal-setting, evaluations, and feedback to drive employee growth and engagement.
Streamlined Payroll Processing: Ensures accurate, compliant payroll management with automated calculations, statutory deductions, and on-time payouts.
Self-Service Portals: Empowers employees to access payslips, submit leave requests, and update personal details, reducing HR dependency.
Scalability and Integration: Seamlessly integrates with existing tools and scales as the organization grows, ensuring long-term value.
This tailored solution would not only resolve Blackwood Hodge Kenya's immediate HR challenges but also position them for sustained operational excellence.
IMPLEMENTATION
Duration it took to implement the solution(s):
The project took a total of 3 Months.
Bottlenecks, and how they were mitigated
Initially, there was a slow supply of necessary client-side info (causing a 2-month job to turn out to be 3 months). However, Mediacent Interactive expertly navigated this issue, highlighting the needs for prompt share of requested info so as to safeguard implementation timelines.
Additional services provided- e.g. migration, customization & integration
Blackwood Hodge Kenya required migration of it’s old HR data from the previous Excel system to the new ZOHO PEOPLE platform. This was effectively handled with correct mapping from old to new system.
RESULTS: BENEFITS & ROI
Business Impact Post-Implementation
Adopting the ZOHO PEOPLE solution enabled Blackwood Hodge Kenya to transform its HR operations into a streamlined, data-driven function that aligns with its strategic goals. By leveraging automation and centralization, the business was able to achieve operational efficiency, enhance employee satisfaction and drive measurable business growth.
Some of the Positive Outcomes for Blackwood Hodge Kenya included but were not limited to:
Centralized Data Hub: Provides a unified view of employee and operational data, ensuring accuracy and simplifying audits.
Increased Efficiency: Automation of HR processes reduces manual errors, saves time, and allows teams to focus on strategic initiatives.
Enhanced Revenue Potential: Improved employee management boosts productivity, directly contributing to operational profitability.
Improved Lead Conversion: Efficient workforce management supports sales and service teams in delivering better client experiences.
Data-Driven Decisions: Real-time insights enable informed, strategic planning and forecasting.
Stronger Communication: Self-service portals and centralized systems improve transparency and foster open communication.
Better Team Synergy: Streamlined processes enhance collaboration and create a more cohesive workforce.
Objective Alignment: Simplified processes allow leadership to focus on achieving business goals without HR-related disruptions.
Client Team Onboarding & Training: We believe ultimate success when it comes to systems is "not in implementation, but rather in adoption of the system". As such, Mediacent Interactive, through its mantra of "walking with the client team every step of the journey", provided thorough team training to relevant system users, ensuring they not only grasped, but became prolific in the use of the implemented solutions.