Unicru first to address drug store`s top business concerns with a targeted solution
PORTLAND, Ore.--April 28, 2003--Unicru Inc. unveiled today at the NACDS Annual its Workforce Selection & Optimization System for Chain Drug Stores. Designed specifically for the unique hiring challenges drug stores face, the comprehensive system is the first to simultaneously deliver assessment technology, closed loop reporting and employee selection modules customized specifically for the chain drug store industry.
Based on its experience with several chain drug stores and extensive industry research, Unicru`s solution is the first completely integrated system to cut hiring and labor costs while improving labor quality across both pharmacy and front-end roles.
Steve Perlowski, Vice President of Industry Affairs for NACDS, "Drug stores face an increasingly competitive environment as more and more retailers carry similar categories of merchandise. Additionally, pharmacy margins are constantly squeezed by insurance organizations. Chain drug retailers are looking for opportunities to differentiate themselves from their competitors to become a destination for their customers. One key area that retailers focus on to differentiate themselves from their competitors is through their employees. Tools that assist chain drug retailers, such as workforce selection technology, to staff their operations with quality employees and associates provide those companies with a competitive edge."
As drug stores staff for roles from the pharmacy to the photo counter, the Unicru Workforce Selection & Optimization System for Chain Drug Stores is designed to provide an unprecedented level of candidate quality control through its tailored job-specific assessments and occupation related employment application questions, as developed by Unicru industrial psychologist, George Paajanen, Ph.D. Coupled with its recruitment, background and tax credit eligibility checks, payroll interface and closed loop reporting and analytics, Unicru provides drug stores with a turn-key solution for hiring and retaining the best employees across store functions.
"Unicru has saved our managers time by eliminating interviews with the 25 percent of our applicant pool who are not a fit for us. We`ve reduced turnover and are promoting a larger percentage of our entry-level staff," said Jim Rizzo, vice president of human resources at Duane Reade. "We are having an impact on employee-based theft. And, our automated process allows us to share applicants between stores and to continue our growth without a commensurate increase in personnel staff." In fact, Duane Reade has come to realize an ROI of almost 200 percent annually on Unicru`s entire solution through automation of tax credit capture alone -- making the HR department a substantial contributor to the company`s bottom line.
Unicru Workforce Selection & Optimization for Chain Drug Stores
The Unicru system enables chain drug stores to consistently apply best hiring practices across stores. This gives store managers more time to focus on customer service and store operations by enabling them to more quickly and efficiently hire the most qualified candidates. The Unicru system lowers hiring and labor costs by presenting only the most qualified candidates to hiring managers, streamlining tax credits, screening out prior theft applicants and eliminating payment of non-qualifying unemployment claims. Significantly impacting the largest P&L line item, labor expenses, Unicru has delivered proven results for chain drug clients including a 17 percent improvement in retention and a 43 percent reduction in first day no-shows.
In addition, the system also features job-specific employee selection modules which focus on the key personality traits and skills associated with job success within drug stores, including cashiers/stockers; sales clerks; supervisors; photo clerks; pharmacists; pharmacy technicians; and pharmacy aides and interns. The modules are designed around validated assessments with occupation-related questions for the following job fields:
-- Pharmacy -- Screening designed for interns, technicians and pharmacists focuses on accuracy, customer interaction and social service skills.
-- Photo -- Examines a candidate`s customer service skills, security-consciousness, and interest in working with technology and machines.
-- Store Supervisors -- Management and critical thinking assessments with additional questions regarding administrative and multi-tasking skills.
-- Cashier/Stocker -- Customer service and dependability assessments tailored to individual drug store needs.
Features specific to pharmacy positions include:
-- Management notification prior to expiration of pharmacy-related licenses
-- Automated professional license verification
-- Automated screening of the Department of Health & Human Services medical database which lists convictions for program-related fraud, patient abuse and related actions.
The Unicru Workforce Selection & Optimization System for Chain Drug Stores is now available. Unicru also offers an upgrade path for grocery customers interested in adding the chain drug solution to their pharmacies.
About Unicru
Unicru is the leading provider of Workforce Selection and Optimization solutions that enable enterprises to efficiently attract and systematically select world-class employees. Through its comprehensive Web-based service, Unicru evaluates over six million job applicants a year for their prospective productivity, reliability, and job fit. Unicru combines scientifically-proven employee selection assessments, applicant recruitment, hiring management decision support, and complete data capture for measurement and continuous improvement of business results for over 60 enterprises and brands including CVS, Albertsons, Bennigan`s, Universal Studios, Blockbuster, Marriott, Kroger, and Southeastern Freightlines. For more information, visit the company`s Web site at www.unicru.com.
CONTACT:
Unicru, Inc.
Kim Beasley, 503/596-3409
kbeasley@unicru.com
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