Building a thriving workplace that fuels growth
Bode Equipment Co. faced HR challenges that pulled focus away from business priorities. Partnering with Insperity helped change that. With strategic HR guidance and dedicated support, the company streamlined HR processes and enhanced its culture, driving long-term success.
The Challenge
- Lack of HR processes
- Leadership time consumed by HR admin
- Limited focus on employee engagement
- Previous PEO fell short
The Solution
- Advanced HR technology
- Strategic HR guidance
- Multistate HR compliance support
- Streamlined HR processes
- Employee engagement initiatives
The Result
- Scalable HR infrastructure
- Doubled headcount in two years
- 100% employee satisfaction for culture
- Leadership refocused on growth
“Insperity is a reliable partner. If I have questions, I can reach out and always get a quick answer. They always have my back.”
Carol Gould
HR Director
Bode Equipment Co.
From overwhelmed to empowered
Founded in 1975, Bode Equipment Co. provides material handling systems, construction services, and loading dock and door solutions across New England. With headquarters in Londonderry, New Hampshire, and a second facility in Marlborough, Massachusetts, the company thrives on its people-first philosophy. However, without effective HR management, Bode encountered organizational challenges, including limited employee development opportunities and an overwhelming HR administrative burden.
Previously, the company engaged another PEO partner to manage its HR functions. However, the partnership failed to meet Bode’s organizational needs, leaving leadership without the dedicated HR support required to operate efficiently. As a result, key leaders found themselves tasked with HR responsibilities, diverting focus from core business priorities. This ongoing challenge sparked a search for a more effective PEO solution – one that ultimately led them to Insperity.
A pivotal moment in their organizational growth came when Carol Gould joined Bode as HR director and its first HR staff member. Her prior experience with Insperity’s HR services made her the ideal leader to advance the company’s strategic HR partnership. With Insperity’s support, she helped implement HR processes, procedures and compliance measurements.
“Already being familiar with Insperity and everything their platform has to offer was like I had the foundation to build on to resolve issues quickly and get structure in place,” Gould said.
With Insperity as a true ally, the company could establish a robust HR infrastructure and receive the tools needed to operate more efficiently and effectively.
Laying a solid HR infrastructure
Gould quickly addressed the company’s lack of HR processes and eased its administrative burdens with the backing of Insperity’s team of HR specialists. Insperity’s comprehensive platform systematized essential tasks, including payroll processing timekeeping and I-9 documentation, significantly saving her time and effort.
The platform also helped streamline HR operations by supporting the workflows of both field technicians and office staff. “It was just a matter of teaching everybody to use the tools they need and Insperity has that all organized,” Gould said.
Managing multistate HR compliance
Operating in both New Hampshire and Massachusetts brought Bode several HR compliance challenges. Partnering with Insperity helped simplify these complexities. The company now receives updates on changes in federal and state employment laws. It also requests guidance on hiring in other states and meeting certain state-specific HR compliance requirements.
Having a knowledgeable HR partner has enabled Gould to focus on broader, strategic HR initiatives. “Knowing that certain HR compliance deadlines are coming up and Insperity will help keep me informed means I don’t have to worry,” Gould said.
“That gives me the time to think outside the box – what else do our employees need? From an employee relations or cultural standpoint, how can we make them happier or ease their day? That gives me the space to focus on that.”
“Knowing that certain HR compliance deadlines are coming up and Insperity will help keep me informed means I don’t have to worry.”
Enabling effective leaders
One of Insperity’s most impactful contributions to the company is its tailored training programs. Before Gould’s arrival, senior managers had not received formal leadership training. Partnering with Insperity, she organized live, instructor-led training sessions at both Bode’s Londonderry location and the Insperity Woburn, Massachusetts, office. These sessions equipped leaders with practical, effective techniques grounded in foundational HR management principles.
“It was eye-opening and helpful for our managers,” Gould said. “I could see them coming away from the live training session and using it in their everyday practice.” With the right tools, leaders became more effective in their roles and better able to guide their teams.
Companywide training on antiharassment, antibullying and diversity also strengthened HR compliance and helped foster an inclusive culture. The expertise shared by Insperity’s HR professionals provided credibility and clarity. “It was great to have Insperity backing me up, demonstrating what they need to do and what is within compliance,” Gould said. “Our managers and employees saw the training as very beneficial.”
Driving employee engagement
The bench support from a true HR partner allowed Gould to implement impactful, employee-focused strategies. At the heart of these efforts was a wellness initiative that leveraged Insperity’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Perks at Work, offering employees access to essential health resources and exclusive discounts. The initiative was enriched with monthly wellness materials and webinars on key topics such as mental health, social wellbeing and financial support.
“The employees see having different topics of interest outside their everyday job as very supportive,” Gould said. “Several employees have felt comfortable asking me questions and following my advice on where to go for help.”
Bode also partnered with Insperity to conduct an employee survey, which revealed that staff desired a deeper understanding of the roles and responsibilities within other departments. In response, Gould introduced a job-shadowing program where employees could experience different positions across the company.
“Everybody got to pick who they wanted to work with and what they wanted to do. People from our scheduling department went out with the sales team and the reverse, the sales team went out with technicians,” Gould said. “Employees got to see the whole life cycle of the company.”
Gould shared that the initiative enhanced collaboration within the organization. Employees gained a clearer understanding of how their contributions influenced the company’s success. She added that the program also ignited curiosity about different roles and career paths, creating a foundation for improved employee retention.
Scaling with HR technology and insights
The right HR partner has made a significant impact for Bode. In two years, the company expanded its team from 31 to 72 employees and successfully acquired a five-person electrical shop. Bode integrated the new employees with clear HR processes and a robust self-service platform, supported by Insperity every step of the way.
“They walked into a place that already had benefits organized for them, payroll procedures organized for them and a simple app they could use on their phone,” Gould said. “That all comes from Insperity’s great platform.”
Bode also turned to Insperity for help with restructuring its HR reporting. “We wanted to look at our business in different ways, but there was some coding that needed to be changed in the system,” Gould said.
Insperity stepped up to the challenge, giving Bode the adjustments needed to analyze key metrics such as revenue, job hours, labor distribution and sales. These insights offered detailed breakdowns by branch, technician type and product category. Armed with this data, the company was better equipped to improve its workforce operations and scale with confidence.
“They walked into a place that already had benefits organized for them, payroll procedures … that all comes from Insperity’s platform.”
A culture that shines
Bode’s collaboration with Insperity has brought more than enhanced HR efficiency and business growth – it’s cultivating a better place to work. The employee engagement survey conducted with Insperity showed a 100% satisfaction score in workplace culture, driven by enhanced benefits and development opportunities.
“We’re big on training, and Insperity definitely helps us with that,” Gould said. Insperity’s extensive library of learning resources has been instrumental in driving employee promotions and fostering career growth within the company.
Bode’s dedication to employee development and wellbeing is reflected through its impressive Glassdoor rating of 4.7 out of 5, a recognition that underscores its supportive culture and strengthens its talent advantage.
The company’s growth has also fueled the launch of new departments and improved work-life balance for its team. A standout benefit is the introduction of a four-and-a-half-day workweek, which has contributed to high employee morale.
A trusted partnership for lasting success
Looking ahead, Bode remains steadfast in its dedication to growth, employee wellbeing and operational excellence. The Massachusetts office will play a pivotal role as an operational hub for southern New England, driving innovation and fueling regional expansion.
“Our top priority is expanding the Massachusetts office. And I know I’ll have Insperity there to help ensure I’m in HR compliance with everything that we’re doing,” Gould said.
Thanks to Insperity’s solutions and HR expertise, the company has built a strong HR foundation to support its ambitious goals and foster a dynamic workplace where team members feel valued and empowered. With a clear vision for the future and Insperity by its side, Bode is poised to thrive for years to come.
“Insperity is a reliable partner,” Gould said. “If I have questions, I can reach out and always get a quick answer. They always have my back.”