Skillo

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Chief Casino Operation of Telematic Interactive Bulgaria

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Developing online betting platforms and online gaming platforms.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Skillo to accomplish?

• Independently testing our web products on fixed project model
• Helping us to deliver our IT projects with staff augmentation

SOLUTION

How did you find Skillo?

Referral

Why did you select Skillo over others?

• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Skillo were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Working with Skillo proved to be a highly beneficial decision for our company, effectively addressing two of our most pressing needs with efficiency and expertise: 

• The first need was for independent testing of our web products. Skillo’s thorough testing ensured that new version of our web applications met the highest standards of quality and user experience, highlighting their attention to detail and commitment to excellence. 
• Our second requirement was for IT staff augmentation to redesign our website's frontend and backend architecture. Skillo provided the necessary technical expertise and manpower From the initial contact, Skillo stood out for their deep understanding of the IT landscape and our specific needs. Their team demonstrated remarkable flexibility and responsiveness during the contract negotiation phase, making it clear that we were partnering with a service provider who values client satisfaction and results.
•  Upon signing the agreement, Skillo wasted no time in getting to work. Their approach was both strategic and agile, allowing for rapid mobilization of their resources to meet our requirements. The outcomes of their efforts were immediately apparent, with successful implementations that have improved our web operations. 

Overall, our collaboration with Skillo has not only met but exceeded our expectations, providing us with valuable insights and solutions that have enhanced our operations and positioned us for future success.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

• Meet our deadlines 
• Work independently 
• Good collaboration between the companies

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Our collaboration with Skillo was structured around a team of five IT consultants who seamlessly integrated into our in-house teams, focusing on the renewal of our frontend and backend architecture. Under our management, these consultants worked as an extension of our team, contributing their expertise towards our goal of redesign our website's technical infrastructure. The task of independent testing was owned and managed entirely by Skillo. 
They demonstrated remarkable efficiency in adhering to our timelines, effectively identifying and resolving issues prior to the launch of our product's new version. Their ability to deliver this service while meeting strict deadlines was a sign of their professionalism and skill in ensuring the highest quality standards for our project.

What was your primary form of communication with Skillo?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Skillo showed a deep understanding of both our business and technical requirements, combined with ability to deliver swiftly. Their agility and efficiency were evident during our negotiation phase, where they demonstrated flexibility and adaptiveness. Skillo's team navigated through the bureaucratic aspects of the agreement with ease, playing a crucial role in accelerating the signing process. This adaptability, combined with their keen insight into our needs, significantly contributed to the smooth initiation and execution of the project.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Skillo could have done differently?

Skillo stands out as one of the few companies in the market that not only fulfils their commitments but also does so with great quality. Their performance and deliverables consistently meet expectations, setting them apart as a highly reliable service provider in their field.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the CEO of Bulgaria Innovation Hub, Inc.

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Bulgaria Innovation Hub, Inc. mission is to accelerate positive economic and social impact in Eastern Europe by elevating the startup ecosystem through knowledge exchange and cross cultural collaboration between the entrepreneurial communities in the US, Bulgaria and the CEE/SEE regions. We leverage critical market expertise and network access to deliver world class programs focused on critical go-to-market fundamentals, innovation and best practice exchange.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Skillo to accomplish?

• Develop comprehensive job descriptions for our global team members
• Source, attract and proactively engage with qualified candidates
• Facilitate a smooth and efficient recruitment process

SOLUTION

How did you find Skillo?

Referral

Why did you select Skillo over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Skillo were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Bulgaria Innovation Hub was expanding our team and hired Skillo to help us with the global expansion in Europe. The project initiated by collaborating on developing and implementing a comprehensive recruiting strategy. 

Next the recruiting team developed detailed job descriptions outlining the specific skills, qualifications, and responsibilities required for the program team. Their recruiters ensured an accurate reflection of our organization's needs, values, and objectives, which resulted in attracting highly qualified candidates who were aligned with our mission. 

Skillo's expertise in candidate sourcing was critical in identifying a diverse pool of qualified candidates for the program and development team positions. They proactively engaged with potential candidates, providing them with insights into our organization and the unique opportunities to engage with our mission. The Skillo team facilitated a smooth and efficient recruitment process in a record time. 

Additionally, they helped us streamline the hiring process, ensuring timely scheduling of interviews, coordination of feedback from stakeholders, and effective communication with candidates. They provided candidates with a positive and professional experience throughout the recruitment process, fostering strong relationships and leaving a lasting impression of our organization. 

Thanks to Skillo's professionalism in facilitating a smooth and efficient recruitment process we succeeded in hiring a program and development manager who demonstrates exceptional qualifications and aligns with our organizational goals. In the next few months we will be leveraging their expertise again to complete the team expansion and hire two more new team members.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Here is a summary of the measurable outcomes of the successful project with Skillo: 

1. Increased candidate quality: We were amazed by the quality of candidates sourced and attracted by Skillo, including relevant experience, skills match, and cultural fit. 
2. Time-to-hire reduction: The overall recruiting process to fill the program and development manager position was very efficient, compared to the time-to-hire we experienced with other vendors. 
3. Successful candidate placement: By evaluating the performance and contributions by the program and development manager hired with Skillo's assistance, we are extremely satisfied with their delivery of the project.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Skillo's team demonstrated effective project management throughout the recruitment process. They consistently delivered items on time, ensuring that key milestones were met according to the agreed-upon timeline. Skillo's proactive approach to project management was evident in their responsiveness to our needs and requirements. 

They were quick to address any concerns or requests, promptly providing solutions and recommendations to ensure the smooth progress of the project. Skillo maintained open lines of communication throughout the process, keeping us informed of progress, challenges, and next steps. Their collaborative and client-centric approach fostered a strong partnership and facilitated effective decision-making. 

Overall, Skillo's project management was characterized by professionalism, reliability, and a commitment to delivering results that exceeded our expectations.

What was your primary form of communication with Skillo?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

What we found most impressive and unique about Skillo was their ability to combine expertise in candidate sourcing and recruitment with a deep understanding of our organization's needs and objectives. 

Unlike other recruitment agencies, Skillo took the time to truly grasp the intricacies of the initial program and development manager role, ensuring that they could effectively identify candidates who not only possessed the required skills and experience but also aligned with our organizational culture and mission. 

Their personalized approach, coupled with a commitment to excellence and responsiveness, set them apart and made them a valuable partner in our recruitment efforts. Additionally, Skillo's dedication to delivering high-quality service and their focus on building long-term relationships demonstrated their commitment to our success and made them a trusted ally in our talent acquisition strategy.

Skillo went above and beyond to achieve the project objectives and delivered an exceptional results for our team.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Skillo could have done differently?

I wish we could've engaged with them sooner. Otherwise I know whom to contact for the next step in our growth journey.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the CEO of Cleverix LLC

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Cleverix specializes in providing IT services such as outsourcing, outstaffing, entire solutions development, and consultancy services.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Skillo to accomplish?

• Providing expert engineers for staff augmentation services for our partner

SOLUTION

How did you find Skillo?

Referral

Why did you select Skillo over others?

• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Skillo were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

We had a request from a client in the financial industry to contribute with a dedicated team (software and quality engineers). We had to react in a very short period, so we managed to build part of the team (3 engineers) with internal resources, and the rest of the team members we knew would be hard to find within that timeframe. Given the circumstances, we decided to involve Skillo as a partner. 
They were very flexible and collaborative and they understood our technical and project needs completely. As a result of our collaboration with Skillo and taking into account the quick integration between our and their engineers, we managed to help the client redesign the backend and frontend of their existing CRM system.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

• Meet client deadlines 
• Work independently 
• Good collaboration between the companies

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

A team of 7 IT consultants consisting of Cleverix and Skillo engineers was provided and integrated within the client's organization under their management. The client was satisfied and we delivered the project on time.

What was your primary form of communication with Skillo?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

They have very good technical expertise and managed to understand the client's needs from technical and business perspectives. In addition, they are very easy to communicate with.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Skillo could have done differently?

No, we hope to work again together in the future.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

VMware is a global tech corporation that deals with virtualization. We’ve been around for more than 20 years with up to 30,000 employees and around $10 billion annual revenue. 

I’m a part of the European, Middle East, and African organization (EMEA) and I'm responsible for all of the technical education programs for R&D in those regions. I have a target audience of about 3,000 people, all of whom are engineering professionals, QA engineers, senior developers, product managers, and product owners.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Skillo BG?

Our team’s main goal was to deliver technical training, coaching, and mentoring from internal and external sources to our audience. For a very long time, we had delivered those with organizations from the US. They were absolutely great, but we faced challenges in terms of the budget. 

We needed vendors who were local to the EMEA regions to deliver that training in the same standard as the vendors from the US and hopefully at a better price. We also needed to improve the training material itself, as our advanced audiences found some of the content to be sometimes lacking or irrelevant. We turned to Skillo for these specific challenges. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Skillo provides instructor-led training and self-service training to teach our existing employees how to operate some of the major technologies that are part of VMware’s tech stack. They mentor the target audience, for example, on how to use Angular, AWS, Springboot, Java, and Kubernetes. The goal of the training is to improve the trainees’ acumen with the aforementioned technologies.

Internally, we conduct a needs analysis with the stakeholders to determine which technologies they would need training for. We then reach out to Skillo’s instructors, hold scoping meetings, and determine which instructor will lead specific types of training. We also assign people to manage the teams of trainees. 

On a quarterly basis, we conduct 4–5 instructor-led training sessions, two of which are being headed by the Skillo team.

What is the team composition?

Hjusein (Co-Founder) is our main point of contact. Thus far, we’ve engaged with two people to organize and administrate the classes and deal with the finances. We’ve also worked with 6–7 trainers. 

How did you come to work with Skillo BG?

When we were looking around for a vendor, I and the person governing the technical education from the US side determined that our top priority would be quality. We didn’t want to work with a vendor for the fraction of the cost only to see a drop in the caliber of the training provided. 

We did a tender with three highly recommended companies and ended up selecting Skillo because their price range was almost equal to the US vendors. They also displayed the highest-quality training skills that met our KPIs and created the strongest retention among participants. 

How much have you invested with them?

Up to this point, we’ve invested around $56,000. If we count the two upcoming classes, the figure will be up to $80,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The partnership started at the end of February 2021. We’re still working with Skillo.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

We do have several KPIs to measure whether or not a training session has been successful. This entails a six-month evaluation between the start and the end of the training. We normally measure a participant’s productivity and the number of bugs reported within the output code. 

We also poll the participants to measure their satisfaction with the training, if they found the material relevant to their jobs, if they found the instructor engaging, and how soon they could put their learnings to practice,

The first class we did with Skillo reaped a significant reduction in the number of bugs reported. In terms of trainee satisfaction, our minimum expectation was a score of 5.5 on a 7-point scale. Skillo produced a score of 6.3, which is quite good. 

How did Skillo BG perform from a project management standpoint?

Skillo proactively identifies learning opportunities for the specific technologies they’re providing training for. It makes it easy and convenient for me to take the training outlines to stakeholders and determine what or what doesn’t fit. I also appreciate that, beyond the training, their administration is fully automated.

Our initial correspondence was through e-mail. Now, we finetune course outlines and exchange updates through Slack and hold scoping calls on Zoom.

What did you find most impressive about them?

What stands out the most about Skillo is their ability to work quickly and in the short term. Often, when we reach out to vendors, we see who will be able to deliver with only three weeks of lead time, and Skillo almost always delivers first. They’re really able to provide instructors and course outlines at a short notice. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could benefit from expanding their network beyond their in-house trainers to include freelancers as well. This could help them tackle topics that they haven’t tackled before.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Do give Skillo as much information and context as possible. If you show them the big picture, they might just surprise you with the number of opportunities they can provide to help develop your teams further. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the head of software development and integration at Smart IT, a software company. We provide software tools for companies in the fintech space, such as ERP systems, data lakes, a credit score system, and basically whatever our partners need to operate.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Skillo BG?

We identified that the software we create is rather buggy. We only had a handful of QA testers, which was nowhere near enough of what we needed, so we laid out a plan to build our QA department. We found out it would take me about two years to hire all the people that we needed, and that’s when we started to look for outside companies to help me with IT cloud consulting services.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They provide us with staff augmentation, which makes up our QA department today.

Before we start developing software, we tell the developers and the QA team what the functionality is, so while the developers are developing the functionality, the QA testers from Skillo BG will work on creating test cases. They form the test strategy and make sure we have all the things planned out, so we can test the software that we create adequately. 

After the functionality has been created by the developers, Skillo BG takes that functionality and makes sure we find the bugs before they go into production. Once that’s done, we go ahead and format the versions to production — they do all the regulation testing, and basically own the whole QA process.

While they don’t have access to our production systems, we still provide them with the hardware to work on, because they’re responsible for finding bugs before the product goes into production. 

Moreover, they’ll also be creating a few training programs for us, and we’re collaborating with them to identify topics that companies would need to develop.

What is the team composition?

The number of people we work with has grown over the last nine months. We started with just a couple, but currently, there are 10 people involved in the project. We plan to increase the team as we continue to grow.

How did you come to work with Skillo BG?

I started doing research with local companies here and took a few offers from some of them. Skillo BG was referred to me by a colleague of mine, so I compared their offer with the other vendors' and had interviews with the owner. We found that they had the specific skills and expertise that could work for us, so we went with them.

How much have you invested with them?

So far, we’ve spent €280,000 EUR (approximately $327,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in November 2021, and our partnership is still ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Statistics have shown that Skillo BG finds 40% more bugs than our team prior to production, and I’m really happy with the good job they've been doing.

The other important thing for me is they have a zero turnover rate, as prior to Skillo BG, the turnover rate for my company’s QA team was 22%. The people that we have right now went through a very rigorous selection process, and out of the ten people that they’ve provided us, I’ve not returned even one of them.

The other metric I like is the time that it takes for them to find somebody. If I have a new position open tomorrow, I would have the option of going to our HR department and have them find a mid-level QA tester, or go with Skillo BG for the same thing. The latter is five times quicker and more efficient, and I don’t have to do all the interviews — that’s what makes them reliable. 

How did Skillo BG perform from a project management standpoint?

We haven’t asked them to provide us with project management since we do it ourselves. The whole team works within our office, and they use tools like Skype for Business and the telephone. We also communicate a lot over email and WhatsApp, and it’s working really well.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I like that they’re reliable and I can always count on them. They always find me the right person that can fit my team quickly.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There have been a couple of situations where we needed them to work on their performance, and they’ve definitely improved.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

My advice is to be open with the actual problems you have, so they can help you with whatever they can — they’re really good at finding solutions that you might not know exists.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

 I am the Head of Data Operations, EMEA, of an asset management software provider.

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Alternative Asset Management Software & CRM

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Skillo to accomplish?

• Source new candidates for our data team

SOLUTION

How did you find Skillo?

• Referral
• Other

Why did you select Skillo over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me
• Smooth and quick communication

How many teammates from Skillo were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Support us in identifying appropriate candidates for our budgeted hires.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We have hired 6 people sourced from Skillo.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Yes, they deliver items on time. They are very responsive, quick turnaround time, accommodating of our needs.

What was your primary form of communication with Skillo?

Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Skillo does really care about the client.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Skillo could have done differently?

Can't think of any areas for improvement.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Associate Manager QA of Amadeus Sofia Labs

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We’re powering better journeys through travel technology We’ve been an industry leader for more than 30 years, driving transformation, growth and customer satisfaction. Here’s why you should join us: We’re innovators, creating the technology that powers better journeys. We’re a global engineering team that’s sharing, exploring and learning together. Our work is valuable, it affects millions of people around the world and has a real impact

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Skillo to accomplish?

• Increase test automation knowledge in the team
• Support shift-left approach through automation

SOLUTION

How did you find Skillo?

Referral

Why did you select Skillo over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Skillo were assigned to this project?

1 Employee

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Upskill Amadeus' Manual QA team in automated testing with a focus on Selenium WebDriver, Java, REST Assured, and Cucumber for BDD. The team has gained knowledge on Selenium Web Driver, Java as a programming language, REST Assured library and Cucumber for BDD.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Most of the team member already apply the gained test automation knowledge in their daily work. Automation tests are already defined in the DoD of the USs and the QAs in the team are successfully delivering them. Some of them have already broaden the framework, adding more than 600 cases. Most of the people were not very technical, but they can now run, maintain and analyze the framework, and contribute even more in the automation process.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Really easy and friendly communication with Skillo. The trainer was excellent, following the curriculum leaving no questions unanswered. All additional questions were promptly answered via Slack in a timely manner. The trainer explained everything clearly, with real life examples and even sometimes with our specific needs. In two words - great professionals.

What was your primary form of communication with Skillo?

• In-Person Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Their approach was made to our specific needs. It was not just one of the courses, where a trainer reads from a presentation, but was really interactive and catered to the needs of every single one of the people attending. Even thought the level of knowledge in the team is different, the approach was excellent and all lessons were delivered so that everyone would understand them.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Skillo could have done differently?

As their approach is personal we had the flexibility to demand our specific needs, even during the training had started. So if there is need of something different, there is always option to change the approach. I can't think of anything that I would do different, during the course.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Infosys Ranked in the Top 3 IT Services Brands in the World & among the Top 150 Most Valued Brands. My position is Lead-TA for Bulgaria and Romania.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Skillo ?

Our company was growing the subsidiary in Sofia and we needed recruitment support to hire the best IT specialists and managers on the local market.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

We received very positive feedback from our network about Skillo.

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

They worked for numerous open position with us and managed to present valuable candidates who are still part of our company.

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

Their Recruitment manager was the main point of contact but there were several other recruiters working on the background.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The employees we hired with the support of Skillo are a great asset for our company and they prove this every day.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Everything was completed on time and the communication was effective and result oriented.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

I appreciate that they took the time to understand the profiles, and they always asked the right questions.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

There is nothing I can think of.