RoboKind

A formal HR solution for an informal, big-hearted robotics team

Like the founding stories of many other start-up companies, Richard pursued his passion to start RoboKind in 2011 after departing from a larger company—in his case, a human-scale robotics company. At that time, RoboKind used a popular online accounting application for payroll—a process which Richard describes as painful. As RoboKind was on a trajectory to become the only company in the world mass-producing facially expressive robots and overcoming challenges with new manufacturing processes, Richard realized he needed a more comprehensive HR solution that could flex with their needs.

TriNet’s payroll administration services and self-service tools allow Marissa Moyer, Director of Culture at RoboKind, to spend less time on payroll and more time on the RoboKind team. “I don’t have to think much about payroll. If I need to make changes, it’s easy—but it doesn’t take up very much mind space for me which is good because I don’t have the time,” said Marissa. Instead, she can focus on employee development and ensuring their company values are clear and embraced. “The general HR functions, payroll, all of that has gotten a lot easier with TriNet,” said Richard. “The benefits offering was something we definitely needed and wanted for our employees. We wanted to make sure everyone was comfortable and secure so they are focused and happy to be here.” With TriNet, the mission-driven RoboKind team has access to a range of benefit plan offerings allowing for choice and flexibility so they can feel appreciated.

Marissa also appreciates the more complex HR tasks that TriNet helps with. For example, a strategic expert advised Marissa on various components of their employee handbook and new remote work policy. Whenever employee relation issues arise, TriNet supports Marissa on how to navigate unfamiliar situations and mitigate employment-related risk. The RoboKind team may be small but they know that they can’t afford to ignore HR compliance—they must check off many of the same employment-related requirements as large companies with dedicated HR departments. “TriNet’s helped us lay the foundation to continue to grow as a company and already have some of these workplace policies established,” said Marissa.

A single HR platform for maximum efficiency

In addition to payroll services, the TriNet technology platform includes solutions for reporting, benefits, expense management, performance management and applicant tracking, to name a few HR functions used by the RoboKind team. For Richard, having a centralized, comprehensive tool for these tasks is his favorite aspect of working with TriNet.

Marissa frequently uses the TriNet platform reporting tool, Workforce Analytics, especially since RoboKind received a PPP loan in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She doesn’t need to feel overwhelmed during the loan forgiveness application process as she can use PPP-specific report templates built by TriNet. One report that she can easily run provides a detailed breakout of eligible payroll costs for a selected date range as defined by the PPP loan statute. “It went from being a nightmare of cobbling together a bunch of data to just one click and I've got everything I need,” said Marissa. As she begins planning next year’s budget, Marissa finds it helpful to have immediate access to cost center data in Workforce Analytics, which allows her to drill down into all of their employee costs, not just base compensation.

TriNet also helped RoboKind adopt a formal paid time off (PTO) policy which they desperately needed. Marissa described their initial PTO process as “a free-for-all of sheets of paper and spreadsheets.” With an automated tracking and approval system in place, Marissa considers PTO management as a task she doesn’t need to constantly think about. The self-service tools in the platform make it easy for her employees to request time off and access their own balance and accruals, freeing Marissa up to handle more strategic responsibilities.

“Having this type of service with TriNet, especially as a smaller company, helps to build credibility with your employees to show that we have all of their bases covered. We’re a real company,” said Marissa. Richard acknowledged that, “working with TriNet has gotten us to a place where people know that we're moving on to bigger and better things. Recently, we were able to implement the TriNet 401(k) plan. The overall benefits options TriNet provides access to have been really positive for everyone.”

Priming for growth to help a broader range of people

TriNet’s support helps the RoboKind team single-mindedly focus on what they do best—pioneering robots and curriculum for students of all capabilities. “All I care about is that what we do works and it’s really impactful,” said Richard. “Looking forward, we intend to continue to develop and expand our curriculum content in ways that we know are going to help a broader range of people.” RoboKind is excited to release an avatar version of their program to support students’ remote learning experiences, a curriculum to teach kids to code and provide more professional development tools for teachers. As they prime for this growth, the education technology company plans to grow their team, confident that with TriNet as their HR ally “it will be easier to attract really good people and keep them.”