The HR Huddle

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

Bluesky | LinkedIn

The HR Channel

WRKdefined

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - The 29th Annual HR Systems Survey is open and here is why your organization's data belongs in it.

Fri, 01 May 2026 07:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Cliff Stevenson and Tammy Smith, Sapient’s senior manager of data science, mark the public launch of the 29th Annual HR Systems Survey, the most expansive and longest-running survey of its kind. Almost 10,000 professionals representing 4,670 organizations worldwide participated in last year’s survey. In response to participant feedback, this year’s survey includes two entirely new sections covering finance systems and compliance and risk management. Cliff and Tammy walk through how the survey works, why organizational-level data matters, and what participants receive when they submit their responses.

Key points covered include:

↪️ The survey now includes dedicated sections covering solutions for core finance, travel and expense, and financial planning. Finance professionals, C-suite leaders, and business managers are invited to complete this new section.

↪️ The survey platform saves responses so participants can complete the survey in multiple sessions if needed. Sapient encourages distribution of the survey across departments and subject matter experts.

↪️ Participants will receive an unabridged copy of the survey results, expected to be published in October 2026. As an additional bonus, after completing the survey, participants have the option to receive a benchmark report based on their answers and last year’s survey data for either their industry or a geographic region. IHRM also awards 10 continuing education credits to those completing the survey.

↪️Over the last 29 years, the data set has grown exponentially. For instance, in 2021participants represented 2,177 unique organizations compared to 4,670 in 2025. The annual research report has also expanded, growing from 150 pages to 380 pages over that same period.

The 29th Annual HR Systems Survey is now open through June 24th. Use the link below to add your organization's voice.

LINK TO SURVEY

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Cliff Stevenson

Tammy Smith

The HR Channel

WRKdefined

Download the 2025-26 HR Systems Survey White Paper

The Pivot Effect - The case for reinventing your career on your own terms before the pace of change does it for you.

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 08:00:00 -0000

In this episode of The Pivot Effect, Teri Zipper and Susan Richards are launching something new. The Pivot Effect is a podcast built around the individual, where you are in your career, where you want to go, and what it takes to get there in a world of work that keeps shifting underneath you. In this first episode, Teri and Susan introduce the show's focus: the skills, mindset, and self-direction that matter now, whether you're navigating AI, rethinking your role, or just ready to stop following and start leading. Think of this as the conversation the organizational lens has been missing.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Why AI adoption is moving faster at the individual level than the enterprise level, and what that tells us about who's really driving change at work.

↪️ How early adopters are already offloading routine work to AI tools so they can focus on what actually moves the needle.

↪️ Why reinventing yourself every three to five years used to be the rule, and why that window is shrinking fast.

↪️ What Teri and Susan are planning to cover on the show, including career pivots, personal journeys, and the data behind where you work and why it matters.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Susan Richards

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - How Oracle's massive layoffs, six conflicting AI studies, and a military targeting error share a common problem.

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:24:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson dig into a news week in which the same question keeps surfacing: how much should you trust the data in front of you? Oracle laid off 30,000 employees, and the financial story behind that decision is more complicated than the AI narrative being used to explain it. Meanwhile, a meta-analysis of six major consulting firms working from the same data produced conclusions so different they barely resemble each other, which is its own argument for never acting on a single source.

They also tackle the real cost of removing humans from decision-making chains, using Laszlo Bock's post on AI-assisted military targeting as a case study for what happens when speed becomes the only goal.

Key points covered include:

↪️ The official narrative on Oracle's layoffs is AI replacing unnecessary roles, but the numbers behind $58 billion in borrowing and $156 billion in data center commitments tell a more complicated story about cash flow needs.

↪️ Six consulting firms analyzing the same AI data produced an array of starkly different conclusions. For instance, one firm concluded that AI had "zero economic impact" while another cited quadrupling productivity rates. According to the hosts, this shows why industry benchmarks and recommendations are not a reliable basis for your organization's AI decisions.

↪️ "Human in the loop" is not enough if that human is only doing a final sign-off without visibility into how the AI reached its recommendation

↪️ AI pricing is moving away from flat subscription models toward usage-based and connector-based charges, and buyers who treat AI as an unlimited resource right now are going to face a reckoning as that infrastructure debt comes due.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - How to actually measure whether AI is helping your hiring process before it costs you qualified candidates.

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 08:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Cliff Stevenson debuts as host alongside guest Aly Baxter, Director of Product Management at Indeed, to dig into what's actually happening on both sides of the hiring process as AI use accelerates. They look at why more AI adoption hasn't translated into faster hiring, what recruiters really need from these tools, and how Indeed's Smart Screening is trying to fix the dynamic between job seekers and employers. Whether you're trying to fill roles or land one, this conversation cuts through the noise and gets to what actually works.

Key points covered include:

↪️ AI adoption in recruiting is at 49%, the highest of any HR function, yet time to hire is still going up, which tells you adoption alone is not the answer.

↪️ Before adding any AI to your hiring process, map every step and how long it takes. That's the only way to know where it will actually help and how to measure whether it does.

↪️ For job seekers, validating your experience, certifications, licenses, work history, matters more than a polished resume in a world where employers can't tell what's real.

↪️ The goal on both sides is the same: get to a real human conversation as fast as possible, and the best AI tools are the ones that clear the path to that moment instead of replacing it.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Cliff Stevenson

Aly Baxter

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - The gap between AI expectations and actual business results, the pros and cons of synthetic data panels, and a liability ruling that could change the rules for HR tech vendors.

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 08:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson recap two of the biggest HR tech events of the spring season and break down what they actually heard from participating CHROs, mid-market HR leaders, and vendors. The conversation moves through a packed week of news, covering acquisitions, funding rounds, platform expansions, and many rebrands.

They dig into the growing debate around the use of synthetic data panels, the liability ruling against Meta and Google, and new research showing C-suite leaders still expect AI to yield productivity gains despite seeing little impact over the past three years.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Organizations across mid-market and enterprise are still trying to get their existing HR systems working together, and many are frustrated that AI conversations keep taking priority over fixing that foundation first.

↪️ Proprietary data is what separates defensible companies from ones that can be replicated - that theme runs through the Findem/Glider acquisition, Payscale's Compass tool, and Origin's $50M raise.

↪️ The liability verdict against Meta and Google opens real questions for HR vendors incorporating AI into their solutions. In particular, vendors selling AI-supported coaching, performance management, learning, and recruiting tools could be held accountable for what their AI agents do.

↪️ Research from the National Bureau of Economic Research showed that CEOs and CFOs reported minimal productivity improvement from AI use over the last three years, and yet still predict nearly 1% productivity gains annually going forward. At the same time, data center capacity is dropping. The data disconnect indicates that despite the ongoing AI hype, companies are in a wait-and-see mode when it comes to AI’s business and ROI value.

The hosts get into the pros and cons of synthetic data panels – AI-generated, simulated groups that are supposed to mimic the behaviors, preferences, and survey responses of real people. They discuss the challenges of using synthetic panels for decision making and the questions customers should have when reviewing results.

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Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

Back by Demand: HR, We Have a Problem - Why most training programs fail to drive behavior change and the simple tools that can triple success rates.

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 10:26:00 -0000

In this fan-favorite episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and guest Chris Taylor, Founder and CEO of Actionable.co, discuss why most training programs fail to drive lasting behavior change and what actually works. Drawing from data across 9,000 learning programs and over 100,000 participants, Chris shares the proven methodology behind turning workplace learning into measurable results.

The conversation explores the gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it, revealing that most organizations spend 80% of training time on content when they should be spending 75% on context and application. Chris introduces practical strategies including the 3:1 context-to-content ratio, accountability partnerships that triple success rates, and cohort structures that dramatically increase commitment when groups stay under 10 participants.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Training programs achieve far greater success with a 3:1 ratio of context to content, allowing participants to find their personal "why" in addition to understanding organizational objectives.

↪️ Accountability partners increase the likelihood of sustaining behavior change by three times when participants check in at least twice after the initial session, yet this free and simple tool remains underused.

↪️ Cohort learning becomes significantly more effective when groups stay below 10 participants, with daily practice expectations and regular progress reviews at the start of each session.

↪️ AI will commoditize the "how" of change through accessible content, but human facilitation remains critical for helping individuals discover why they care enough to actually change their behavior.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Chris Taylor

Actionable.co

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - How offerings such as Insperity HRScale, the controversy around Grammarly's Expert Review, and AI pricing pressures are shaping the next wave of HR tech.

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 12:57:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson discuss Perceptyx's acquisition of Lyceum AI; the general availability of Insperity HRScale; and the just-announced Sana from Workday. The wide-ranging conversation also gets into Canva’s new Magic Layers for managing the design and content of legacy learning; Grammarly’s controversial Expert Review; people news at Employ, UKG, and Adobe; ICIM’s rebranding and Coalesce AI; and filtered's SCORM Intelligence.

The duo also calls out a potential pricing disrupter brought about by AI agents. Pricing models built around AI usage and API access are starting to hit real cost barriers for larger organizations

Key points covered include:

↪️ With the promise of bringing “superintelligence to work,” Workday has launched Sana for Workday, which includes: Sana for Workday, a new AI interface for Workday; Sana Self-Service Agent, which automates HR and finance workflows; and Sana Enterprise, designed to automate work across the enterprise systems and applications employees use everyday.

↪️ Insperity HRScale, created from Insperity’s partnership with Workday, is now generally available, giving small businesses access to enterprise-grade HR technology while creating a potential pipeline for Workday as those companies grow.

↪️ With the recent acquisition of Lyceum AI, Perceptyx seeks to translate employee signals into personalized capability and skills building in the flow of work. Or, as stated in the news release, to close the gap between employee insights into actual business impact.

↪️ Grammarly disabled its Expert Review AI agent after backlash over its use of named writers' voices; the controversy, which has spawned a class action lawsuit, raises broader questions about the boundary between AI-assisted writing and unauthorized use of an individual's identity and creative IP.

↪️ Research facts about use of benefit brokers: Sapient’s 2025-2026 data shows that 65% of companies with under 2,500 employees say their brokers have significant influence on how they run HR. A corollary: organizations using brokers or other third-party HR support are 90% more likely to be viewed as contributing strategic value to their companies.

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Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - The real compliance playbook for 2026 and why the One Big Beautiful Bill, AI legislation, and retirement plans can no longer be managed in isolation.

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 12:05:00 -0000

In this special episode* of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and guest Zach Keep, Manager, Compliance Risk at Paychex, break down the compliance and regulatory shifts that HR professionals, finance teams, and business owners need to track in 2026. They dig into the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and what the "no tax on tips and overtime" provision actually means for employees. The conversation moves through AI legislation at the state level, where new laws are multiplying faster than federal guidance can keep up, and into retirement plan incentives that are making 401(k) adoption more accessible for small businesses than ever before.

Key points covered include:

↪️ The "no tax on tips and overtime" provision in the One Big Beautiful Bill is a refundable tax credit, not a true exemption, and employees should weigh the tradeoffs before adjusting their withholding.

↪️ Federal tax credits under Secure 2.0, including credits for plan establishment and employer matching, have lowered the cost barrier enough that small businesses can now offer 401(k) plans without significant financial risk.

↪️ AI regulation is moving faster at the state level than the federal level, with most legislation focused on deepfakes, privacy protections, and automated decision-making, but that picture will likely shift through 2026.

↪️ Worker classification rules are still in flux, with litigation pending on the 2024 independent contractor rule, and state and local employment laws are filling gaps that federal rollbacks leave behind.

For up-to-date compliance resources for your business, visit: paychex.com/state-resources

*This podcast episode is sponsored by Paychex.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Zach Keep

Paychex

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Canva acquisitions, Workday’s Agent System of Record, and what compensation data shows how organizations actually value AI skills.

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson cover a packed week of HR tech news ranging from SD Workx’s expanded European payroll reach to Canva’s acquisition of two AI companies that are quietly becoming relevant to HR practitioners. They dig into Workday’s Agent System of Record, now generally available; the DOL's new AI literacy framework; and Matt Shumer’s controversial essay on AI’s future that garnered more than 80 million views on X.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Canva is aggressively expanding its design ecosystem with the acquisitions of MangoAI, which sells AI video ad optimization tools, and Cavalry, a U.K. based 2D animation design company. These acquisitions aim to transform Canva from a simple template tool into a comprehensive creative ecosystem for both casual and professional users.

↪️ PayScale's 2026 Best Practices Compensation Report finds 61% of organizations now list AI skills as part of existing roles, but only 45% are adjusting compensation to reflect those skills.

↪️ Two legal cases involving AI use - one tied to a criminal investigation, another around attorney-client privilege - offer practical reminders that legally one must have full knowledge of the work to be done before relying on AI output. Nor is AI output protected under attorney-client privilege.

↪️ The U.S. Department of Labor released an AI literacy framework for guiding the development of training programs to equip American workers with foundational, non-technical AI skills.

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Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - What is “minimum viable skilling” and why prompt training is the most practical place to start with AI adoption.

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 11:20:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and guest Kate O'Neill, Founder and CEO of KO Insights, examine what it actually takes to lead through a period of rapid technological change. The conversation moves beyond AI adoption tactics and into the harder questions around how people make decisions, resist change, and find meaning in their work when automation is reshaping the ground beneath them. Kate draws from her background in tech humanism to explain why the fears employees have about AI are worth listening to, not just managing, and how organizations that skip those conversations tend to pay for it later.

Key points covered include:

↪️ When employees resist new technology, they may be sensing real trade-offs the organization has not acknowledged, such as loss of institutional knowledge or cultural continuity. HR leaders are well-positioned to surface those concerns rather than manage around them.

↪️ AI tools work best as scaffolding beneath human judgment, not as a replacement for it. Organizations that focus on structuring unstructured data and building clear rules and thresholds will move faster than those chasing full automation.

↪️ "Bankable foresight" is Kate's term for signals you are not ready to act on yet but track over time so your decisions are calibrated to something beyond the current moment's anxiety.

↪️ Prompt skilling is the minimum viable entry point for AI adoption. Teaching people to write better prompts also develops clearer thinking and stronger delegation skills, making it useful well beyond AI contexts.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Kate O'Neill

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Why employees now prioritize stability over feeling valued and what it means for retention strategy.

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson break down Workday's announcement of Aneel Bhusri's return as CEO and what it signals about how HR tech companies are repositioning for AI-era challenges. New research reveals employee priorities have shifted more dramatically than at any point in the last 20 years, with organizational stability ranking above feeling valued at work for the first time since 2016. Major acquisitions continue reshaping the skills and assessment landscape, while new data governance solutions point to growing concerns about data quality and AI effectiveness.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Workday leadership transition as Carl Eschenbach steps down and founder Aneel Bhusri returns as CEO, with analysis of what this means for customers and partners during the AI transformation.

↪️ Employee engagement research showing stability concerns now outrank feeling valued for the first time in a decade, marking the most dramatic shift in engagement drivers in 20 years.

↪️ Skills infrastructure investments including Phenom acquiring Be Applied for AI-first assessments, Skillsoft's Percipio rebranding, and Workday's Military Skills Mapper for veteran hiring.

↪️ Data governance entering the HR conversation with Pantomath's funding for data lineage tracking and G2's consolidation of software review platforms.

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Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - The hyper-adaptive model: Building AI councils and activation hubs that support employees through job redesign and capability shifts.

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:26:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and guest Melissa Reeve, creator of the hyper-adaptive model and author of the forthcoming book "Hyper-Adaptive: Rewiring the Enterprise to Become AI Native," explains successful AI integration requires organizations to spend 70% of their effort on people changes rather than technology implementation. The conversation covers how jobs will be deconstructed and reassembled as AI automates tasks, why companies need an "AI North Star" to guide adoption, and what organizational structures must be built to support the transition.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Organizations need an "AI North Star"—a clear, compelling business goal that helps employees understand why they're implementing AI and how their roles connect to that mission.

↪️ Companies are building things like AI activation hubs and councils with programmatic support for AI leads, creating networks that atomize learning and deliver relevant information to frontlines quickly as new capabilities emerge.

↪️ Success requires creating protected time and safe spaces for employees to explore AI through their curiosity, such as "prompting parties" where teams compare approaches and discover possibilities together.

↪️ Start by using empathy mapping to identify tasks employees dislike (bug chasing, testing, invoice processing) and demonstrate how AI can handle those activities, shifting mindset from job replacement fears to capability enhancement.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - More acquisitions, the role of HR leaders for assessing the risks associated with business decisions, and what a data privacy lawsuit means for AI-powered recruitment.

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 14:58:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson discuss the latest tech acquisitions while exploring how AI-powered solutions are reshaping employee experience. The hosts address the Eightfold lawsuit and its implications for data privacy, examine CEO perspectives on AI decisions and implementations, and discuss Greenhouse's mission to make hiring work for everyone. They also touch on the role of HR leaders when business decisions present potential risks and how different generations view the social stances taken by their employers.

Key points covered include:

↪️ M&A activity accelerates with acquisitions focused on AI-powered recruitment, global payroll services, and workforce planning capabilities that expand platform offerings across the full employee lifecycle. Acquisition deals discussed include Venture Solution/Distro, Remote/Atlas, Dayforce/Agent Noon, Docebo/365 Talent.

↪️ Eightfold faces legal scrutiny over data disclosure requirements, raising questions about how AI systems use external data sources and what organizations must reveal to candidates about data scraping.

↪️ The recent issues around ICE tactics demonstrate the importance of evaluating potential risks of business decisions involving employee training, hiring incentives, overarching policies, and even language used in communications. All can impact employee safety and shape organizational culture, particularly in times of rapid change.

↪️ Three-quarters of CEOs report being the primary decision maker on AI strategy and 50% believe their job depends on demonstrable ROI from AI use, creating pressure that may lead to rushed implementation without thorough evaluation and risk assessment.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - Why most training programs fail to drive behavior change and the simple tools that can triple success rates.

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 09:15:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and guest Chris Taylor, Founder and CEO of Actionable.co, break down why most training programs fail to create lasting change and what actually works. The conversation explores the gap between understanding new concepts and caring enough to apply them, revealing that most organizations spend 80% of their time on content when they should be dedicating three times more attention to helping people find their own reasons for change.

Chris shares data from over 9,000 learning programs showing that simple tools like accountability partners can triple the likelihood of sustained behavior change. He shares practical strategies for designing sessions that stick, from cohort structures to permission slips for inevitable lapses.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Effective learning requires a minimum 3:1 ratio of context to content, allowing participants time to work through the "so what" and "now what" rather than just consuming information.

↪️ Accountability partners increase the likelihood of sustained change by three times when participants check in at least twice after a session, yet remain underutilized despite being free and easy to implement.

↪️ Changing one behavior at a time produces better results than attempting multiple shifts simultaneously, with cohorts under 10 participants showing higher success rates for lasting change.

↪️ AI will commoditize the "how" of learning while human facilitation remains critical for helping individuals discover why they care enough to change their behavior.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Chris Taylor

Actionable.co

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - 2026 starts off with billion-dollar acquisitions, AI buyer fatigue, people transitions, and a new government program focused on apprenticeships.

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 14:16:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson kick off the conversation with major acquisition news reshaping the HR tech market, including Coursera's plan to acquire Udemy for $2.5 billion and ServiceNow's $7.75 billion acquisition of ARMIS. They cover significant leadership changes across multiple companies, discuss the just-announced Department of Labor funding for apprenticeships in high-growth industries, and share insights on actual use of AI.

The hosts also highlight the next HR Systems Survey, which will launch on April 15th for distribution partners and on April 29th for the general public.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Coursera's $2.5 billion deal to acquire Udemy signals consolidation in corporate learning content; the combined company will focus on AI training and the corporate market. ServiceNow's $7.75 billion acquisition of Armis addresses critical security needs as organizations navigate the bring-your-own-AI trend, asset discovery, and data access controls across expanding tech ecosystems. The conversation also covers Phenom’s acquisition of Included AI and the acquisition of Ethan Allen HR Services by G&A Partners.

↪️ The Department of Labor recently announced it is allocating $98 million through its YouthBuild Program to support pre-apprenticeships in high-demand industries such as construction, manufacturing, IT, and healthcare. Funded projects are intended to provide education, occupational skills training and employment services to young people ages 16 to 24 and strengthen connections to registered apprenticeship programs.

↪️ Leadership changes at Culture Amp and Oyster position both companies for growth, with founders transitioning to board chairman roles. They also discuss major executive changes at isolved and Atana.

↪️ The newly introduced Claude Cowork, an agentic AI tool built into the Claude desktop app, automates complex, multi-step tasks for non-coders. The hosts discuss how such tools are enabling workers to “collaborate” with AI as a coworker, greatly expanding AI’s practical use.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - Why scattered data across systems prevents HR from meeting strategic expectations and what connected technology can solve.

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 14:34:00 -0000

In this special episode* of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and guest Pragya Gupta, Chief Operating Officer at isolved discuss how HR leaders are navigating AI adoption and workforce planning in 2026. The conversation covers findings from isolved's HR Leaders Report, which surveyed over 2,000 organizations, revealing that 63% are experiencing AI disruption while 51% struggle with data scattered across multiple systems.

Pragya explains how HR is moving from reactive to anticipatory operations, using data and AI to predict workforce needs rather than simply responding to them. The discussion addresses practical challenges including payroll accuracy, benefits selection complexity, and the growing skills intelligence gap that threatens retention and competitiveness.

Key points covered include:

↪️ HR leaders using AI for recruitment are facing a new challenge where candidates also use AI to optimize resumes, requiring smarter filtering systems that learn from past hiring decisions to identify the best matches while eliminating bias.

↪️ Payroll remains a top stress point for practitioners, with AI-powered "perfect payroll" capabilities now providing proactive notifications about errors before processing, such as incomplete direct deposits or incorrect employee classifications.

↪️ Benefits selection has emerged as the second leading reason employees leave organizations, driving demand for AI assistants that recommend plans based on individual circumstances, family situations, and life stages during open enrollment.

↪️ Two-thirds of organizations are currently seeking new HR systems to address data fragmentation, with HR leaders reporting they lack the analytical capabilities needed for strategic decision-making despite increased pressure from CEOs to guide AI-driven workforce changes.

See what HR leaders are prioritizing this year: https://isolved.co/3LgNlto

*This podcast episode is sponsored by isolved

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Pragya Gupta

isolved

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - The AI divide: Why 80% of leaders embrace AI compared to only 27% of individual contributors and how to close the gap.

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson discuss acquisition activity across global payroll and identity security markets, highlighting how services and compliance expertise are driving these deals. They analyze new research showing that executives use AI at nearly double the use rate of frontline employees and highlight why these gaps affect adoption strategies.

The conversation includes workforce planning insights from Sapient's collaboration with Anaplan, the SHRM discrimination lawsuit verdict, and regulatory changes affecting AI and workplace equity programs.

Key points covered include:

↪️ UKG's acquisition of Inova Payroll expands managed services for frontline workers, while ServiceNow's $1 billion purchase of Veza positions the company in the growing battle over identity security and access control. Other companies making or finalizing acquisitions include European companies Sajid and SDWorks and Findem, which sells an AI talent platform..

↪️ Research from both Dayforce and Sapient Insights confirms a big gap in AI use; while 80 to 87% of executives are using AI tools, just 27to 41% of individual contributors are using them. The hosts discuss what this means for successful implementations.

↪️ Team and Time, a new offering out of UKG Labs, is designed to especially meet the sophisticated and complex scheduling requirements for healthcare workforces. The platform reflects an overall market need for advanced time and attendance solutions for diversely skilled workforces.

↪️ In other news: The jury verdict awarding $11.5 million in the SHRM discrimination lawsuit raises questions about organizational culture and compensation structures. In the 10 years since Gravity Payments implemented a $70,000 (now $80,000) minimum wage for all employees, the company is reporting 650% of revenue growth.

The hosts reference two new complimentary resources for audiences: a just-published white paper, “From Headcount to High Impact,” that discusses how C-suite leaders can use workforce planning for strategic, long-term planning (https://www.anaplan.com/resources/research-report/sapient-c-suite-guide-to-using-workforce-planning/#); and an ADP-hosted webinar, “HR + IT: Empowering Data Integration in the Age of AI,” with IT analyst Tim Crawford and Shivang Patel, ADP chief product officer, on ways to resolve data integration challenges and how generative and agentic AI can support business transformation and differentiation (https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/5113285/55BFAEF63EFBA62A329A708BCAC81A52).

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

Back by Demand: HR, We Have a Problem - Why leadership and culture are inseparable forces that drive sustainable business results and how adaptive organizations build psychological safety to thrive through change.

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0000

In this fan-favorite episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper along with Susan Richards and guests Tee Thorsen, LAITHOS Co-Founder and Managing Partner, and Mary Ellen Clagett, LAITHOS Leadership Catalyst and Co-Founder, discuss how leadership and organizational culture function as inseparable forces that determine business outcomes. The conversation addresses why 60% of employees still hide their authentic selves at work and how this disconnect undermines sustainable results.

They explore the elements that make culture "adaptive" - including psychological safety, learning mindsets, and the ability to balance stability with flexibility - while providing practical frameworks for building trust and leading change effectively. They also introduce a trust equation that helps leaders assess their own trustworthiness and communication impact.

Key points covered include:

↪️Organizations can have the best strategy, but without a supportive culture that embraces change, it's like running new software on outdated hardware - results will be limited and unsustainable.

↪️ Trustworthiness is measured by (Credibility + Reliability + Intimacy) ÷ Self-Orientation, where leaders must demonstrate expertise, follow through on commitments, and create emotional safety while keeping personal agendas in check.

↪️Leaders must adapt their communication style for different audiences - teams, peers, boards, stakeholders - while maintaining authenticity, and must recognize that effective communication includes listening as much as speaking.

↪️Leading change requires radical honesty about impacts, including job eliminations, so employees can make informed decisions, and success depends on engaging both formal leaders and informal influencers throughout the organization.

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Teri Zipper

Susan Richards

Tracey (Tee) Thorsen

Mary Ellen Clagett

Back by Demand: Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - What 28 years of HR tech research reveals about the shift from siloed systems to workforce ecosystems.

Thu, 25 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0000

In this fan-favorite episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech initially posted after the HR Tech conference, Susan Richards, Teri Zipper, and Cliff Stevenson explore the disconnect between AI availability and actual adoption, revealing that 90% of professionals still don't use AI tools at work despite consumer-level familiarity. They discuss why major learning platform vendors were absent from the HR Tech conference floor even as spending data shows learning as a top investment category. The episode explores how HR technology is evolving into workforce technology as vendors integrate HR, finance, and IT capabilities into single platforms.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Survey data reveals overall HR tech spending continues to decline with the exception of learning technology, yet several major learning vendors were notably absent from this year's HR Tech conference floor.

↪️ Organizations have acquired AI technology but face adoption barriers rooted in change management; while employees are showing measured excitement, they can be overwhelmed by implementation issues.

↪️ The boundaries between HR, finance, and IT are dissolving as vendors like Rippling and HiBob acquire capabilities across functions, pointing toward workforce technology ecosystems rather than siloed HR systems.

↪️ The most successful AI applications in HR remain low-risk tasks such as writing job descriptions; higher-stakes uses such as the creation of skills taxonomies require human oversight at multiple checkpoints.

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Teri Zipper

Cliff Stevenson

Susan Richards

HR, We Have a Problem - Why clarity and belonging drive employee retention while benefits and perks fall short in modern workplaces.

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and guest David Noe, HR Manager with Payroll Partners and host of the SpeakEasy HR podcast, discuss the often-overlooked elements of employee experience that directly impact retention. The conversation examines why clarity and belonging can matter more than perks, how technology platforms can make or break trust, and why treating employee relationships as timelines instead of human connections creates retention problems.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Employee experience gaps often stem from poor clarity and lack of belonging rather than insufficient benefits or perks. Small moments of recognition and genuine check-ins drive retention more than assumed cultural strengths.

↪️ Systems like payroll platforms directly affect trust levels within organizations. When basic functions fail, employees lose confidence in leadership regardless of other positive workplace factors.

↪️ Culture requires active maintenance through discipline, not accident. Leaders must establish clear non-negotiable values, implement simple reinforcement systems, and provide leadership development at every level to scale effectively.

↪️ Communication quality matters more than volume. Leaders need to explain the “why” behind decisions and use multiple channels to reach different employees rather than relying on single methods or assuming AI will solve communication problems.

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Teri Zipper

David Noe

Payroll Partners, Inc

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Why connector infrastructure and the AI training gap are blocking AI agent adoption and what Workday's acquisition strategy reveals about fixing both problems.

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 14:29:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson discuss Workday's acquisition of Pipedream and what Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers mean for HR technology integration and AI agent security. The conversation covers everything from EU pay equity reporting requirements to why only 12% of employees feel they receive adequate AI training. Major industry moves include Zoom's acquisition of BrightHire, UKG's new leadership additions, and why Lattice is exiting the payroll business after a brief attempt.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Workday acquired Pipedream, an MCP server platform with 3,000+ pre-built connections, to enable faster AI agent integration after determining internal development would take over a year.

↪️EU pay equity regulations require immediate reporting capability where employees can request detailed comparative pay data within their organization, with compliance fines starting for organizations more than 5% out of alignment.

↪️ Only 12% of employees report receiving adequate AI training, while 64% of organizations have no guidelines or policies in place for AI use, creating a critical gap between AI investment and effective adoption.

↪️ Major market activity includes Zoom acquiring BrightHire for AI-powered recruiting, Sage acquiring Criterion for cloud payroll expansion, and Lattice exiting the HRS and payroll business after recognizing the maintenance and compliance complexity.

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Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - Why implementation partners matter more than the software itself and how to choose the right one for your HR tech project.

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 10:30:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and guest Bonnie Tinder, Founder and CEO at Raven Intelligence, explore how too many HR tech projects fail not because of the software itself, but because of poor implementation planning and partner selection. Bonnie shares how to evaluate system integrators, spot red flags during the selection process, and avoid the scope creep that derails projects. The conversation covers practical strategies for preparing your organization, managing change, and setting up projects for success from day one.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Great software means nothing without proper implementation. Projects fail when organizations treat implementations as simple software installations rather than business transformations that require process re-engineering.

↪️ Evaluate multiple implementation partners independently rather than accepting your software vendor's recommendation, checking customer reviews for recent projects in your industry and examining patterns around change orders and budget overruns.

↪️ Start with clear business objectives and success metrics, then work backwards to build your project plan. This clarity helps you communicate effectively with partners and resist scope creep that accumulates.

↪️ Be transparent about organizational challenges and outdated processes from the start, because what you hide in the closet will surface during implementation when you're paying consulting rates to address problems you could have resolved earlier.

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Teri Zipper

Bonnie Tinder

Raven Intelligence

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - What 28 years of HR Tech research reveals about the shift from siloed systems to workforce technology.

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Susan Richards, Teri Zipper, and Cliff Stevenson, discuss how HR technology is shifting from functional systems to workforce tech that connects HR, IT, and finance. The conversation covers what's driving AI adoption beyond the hype, why learning platform vendors were notably absent from the show floor, and how companies are struggling to move from having AI tools to actually getting people to use them.

They also explore the gap between executive expectations and organizational readiness, sharing examples from their research about what works when employees interact with technology.

Key points covered include:

↪️ The biggest challenge with AI isn't the technology itself but change management and getting people past fear to adoption. Organizations report having the tech but struggle with helping employees see AI as a work partner rather than just another tool to learn.

↪️ HR technology is blending into workforce tech as vendors like Rippling combine HR and IT while HiBob acquired Mosaic to add finance capabilities. This reflects a shift away from siloed functions toward cross-functional teams focused on business outcomes.

↪️The research shows a disconnect between where organizations say they're investing (learning platforms ranked high for spending) and who showed up at the conference (major learning vendors were absent). Meanwhile, newer players like Rippling and HiBob expanded their presence significantly.

↪️ Companies using AI to write job descriptions while forbidding candidates from using AI on resumes highlights the confusion around AI adoption. The most successful implementations focus on specific use cases like anomaly detection and workflow improvements rather than wholesale process changes.

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Teri Zipper

Cliff Stevenson

Susan Richards

HR, We Have a Problem - How to use the AI already in your HR tech stack to solve real business problems and build workforce trust.

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and guest Sofia Whelan, Managing Partner at HorizonHuman, explore how HR can lead during AI adoption. The conversation addresses the gap between AI hype and real-world application, focusing on workforce planning, transparency, and solving actual business problems.

Key points covered include:

↪️ HR must lead workforce planning by identifying which tasks AI will handle and which roles require human skills, then invest in upskilling employees for work that only humans can do.

↪️ Start with AI already embedded in your HR technology stack rather than buying new tools - focus on solving specific business problems through user research and testing.

↪️ HR should remain the caretaker of the human workforce and organizational culture, working closely with the CTO rather than merging these roles into one position.

↪️ Build trust through transparency about job impacts and enable change at the team level where people can experiment with AI and share practical use cases.

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Teri Zipper

Sofia Whelan

HorizonHuman

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Why HR leaders need AI policies before employees create security risks by using their own AI-supported tools at work.

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 09:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson return with a jam-packed, catch-up episode discussing the wave of strategic acquisitions, the growing importance of viewing compliance as a talent strategy, and the rise of "bring your own AI" in organizations. This conversation also explores how vendors are solving real business problems while HR professionals are navigating rapid scaling and frontline worker challenges.

Key points covered include:

↪️In the market’s ongoing quest to build comprehensive solutions, ADP acquires compensation management platform Pequity, Sage buys Criterion HCM for compliance capabilities, and Learning Pool picks up authoring tool Elucidat.

↪️ Organizations are turning regulatory requirements into cost savings and talent advantages. Stacey and Cliff discuss Sapient’s research focus on compliance and how they’re seeing examples of companies leveraging comprehensive compliance solutions into business and employee value.

↪️ Sapient’s research reveals that while only 22% of survey participants report using AI-supported enterprise systems, significantly more employees are bringing personal AI tools to work. This “BYO AI” practice creates security, privacy, and policy challenges for HR leaders.

↪️ OpenAI data shows 73% of usage is for personal tasks rather than work-related functions, raising questions about whether AI tools are delivering on their promised business value or simply making individual tasks easier.

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Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - Why skills-based talent management is a data-driven transformation, not an HR project - and how to avoid the mistakes that cause initiatives to collapse.

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 09:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper along with guest Craig Friedman, Talent and Skills Transformation Leader at St. Charles Consulting Group, unpack what enterprise skills really means for organizations today. Craig explains how skills-based talent management represents a data-driven transformation that moves HR from headcount management to capability management, enabling companies to understand not just who they employ but what their workforce can actually deliver. The conversation also explores the practical challenges organizations face when implementing skills strategies, from avoiding the "boiling the ocean" problem to securing strong business sponsors who can drive meaningful change.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Enterprise skills transform HR systems from person-level tracking to granular capability data that links across job architectures, talent marketplaces, workforce planning, and development programs.

↪️ AI makes skills-based talent management possible by handling the complexity of tracking and matching skills data that would otherwise overwhelm traditional HR systems.

↪️ Organizations should start with focused business problems rather than enterprise-wide implementations, building use cases that generate measurable top-line or bottom-line value before expanding.

↪️ The biggest implementation mistakes include over-engineering taxonomies without clear business use cases and launching skills initiatives as HR housekeeping exercises rather than business-sponsored strategic projects.

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Teri Zipper

Craig Friedman

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - The three forces reshaping the HR tech landscape from walled gardens to AI interfaces and what practitioners need to know.

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 13:08:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson interview guest George LaRocque, WorkTech’s Founder and Chief Analyst, to discuss the state of the HR tech market and where it's heading. The conversation explores how investment activity, market data, and adoption trends come together to paint a realistic picture of the industry. George shares insights on tracking growth capital and M&A activity across 60+ HR tech subcategories, while the team discusses how practitioners can use different data sources to make informed decisions about technology purchases, vendor stability, and budget planning.

Key points covered include:

↪️ The HR tech investment ecosystem is larger than commonly reported, with 220+ registered investors at HR Tech 2024 alone; approximately 300 to 400 people attended the conference because of investment interests.

↪️ Enterprise HR platforms will increasingly operate behind the scenes while AI-powered chat interfaces become the primary user experience within the next 2 to 3 years.

↪️ Performance management is positioned as the next major area for disruption, with agentic AI enabling real-time feedback. Use will come from manager-led adoption rather than traditional HR-driven implementation.

↪️ The market faces a critical juncture between open, integrated ecosystems and closed vendor marketplaces that could limit interoperability and increase lock-in risks.

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Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

George Laroque

WorkTech

HR, We Have a Problem - Why traditional hiring methods fail entry-level positions and how the "One Layer Deep" approach transforms recruiting speed and candidate quality.

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and guest Libby DeLucien, Founder of WootRecruit, discuss common hiring mistakes, the role of AI in recruiting, and why companies need to rethink their approach to attract quality candidates. The conversation covers how personal development directly impacts leadership effectiveness and why treating employees as valuable assets requires a human-centered recruiting process.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Traditional hiring processes fail because they're designed around business convenience rather than candidate experience, leading to ghosting and poor-quality hires.

↪️ While AI can speed up certain recruiting tasks, removing the human element from hiring risks losing valuable candidates, especially when an employee is often worth more than a single customer in terms of revenue generation, depending on the business..

↪️ Personal development directly impacts leadership effectiveness. Working on your own mindset, health, and energy management creates a leader others naturally want to follow without micromanagement.

↪️ Quality applicants for entry-level positions are hired within 6-8 days, not the 45-day industry average, leaving companies with slow processes facing chronic understaffing and lost revenue.

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Teri Zipper

Libby DeLucien

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Why compliance is HR tech's hottest topic in 2025 and how AI automation is freeing HR teams to do more strategic work.

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 13:34:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson discuss why compliance has become the surprising number one topic in HR technology, exploring how AI is changing verification processes and I-9 management. They cover major market moves including Qualtrics' $6.7 billion acquisition of Press Ganey and break down Dayforce's latest product announcements at their user conference.

Key points covered include:

↪️ HR leaders are reassessing compliance technology and exploring how AI can automate compliance management, with particular focus on I-9 verification and ensuring interview candidates match actual hires.

↪️ Qualtrics acquires Press Ganey for $6.7 billion, demonstrating that the ability to collect, analyze, and present healthcare benchmarking data commands premium valuations.

↪️ Dayforce announces new compliance AI assist tool, collaborative AI workspace environment launching Q1 2026, and the Agent Noon acquisition bringing strategic workforce planning with financial modeling into the platform.

↪️ UKG's "When Work Works, Everything Works" rebrand focusing on frontline workers, Workday's Middle East expansion through Dubai, and emerging pay transparency solutions from PayScale and Workday.

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Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - From security patches to distributed ledgers - why HR tech vendors without Web3 strategies will become competitive liabilities.

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 13:16:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and guest Dennis Hill, Founder of Sagacity, LLC, and Chairman/President/CEO at IHRIM, explore Web3, blockchain, and distributed ledger technologies that promise to solve the security problems that have plagued HR systems for 60 years. The conversation covers data ownership rights, the shift toward crypto-based financial systems, and the competitive advantage of same-day pay solutions.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Blockchain and DAG (directed acyclic graph) architecture provide one-in-15-trillion security against data breaches, eliminating the need for add-on security patches that have failed organizations for 60 years.

↪️ Employees should own their personal data on distributed ledgers rather than having it stored on corporate systems, requiring federal legislation to establish clear data ownership rights.

↪️ HR tech vendors currently lack substantive Web3 roadmaps and are simply patching AI onto existing systems rather than embedding it as core architecture.

↪️ Same-day pay is now a competitive advantage in recruitment, with multiple vendors offering solutions that allow employees to access earned wages immediately rather than waiting for traditional pay cycles.

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Teri Zipper

Dennis Hill

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - How the “bring-your-own-AI” gap and $100,000 H1-B visa changes are forcing small businesses to fundamentally rethink talent and technology strategies.

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 13:32:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson discuss the reality of AI adoption in HR, exploring the "Bring Your Own AI" phenomenon where 81% of HR professionals are using AI tools but only 14% have company-paid access. They also examine how recent policy changes, including H1-B visa cost increases to $100,000, will disproportionately impact small and medium businesses.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Workday acquired Sana for enterprise knowledge/learning capabilities, iCIMS bought Apli for frontline worker recruitment automation, and Nayya acquired North Star to expand into financial wellness.

↪️ While only 31% of organizations use embedded HRMS AI, 81% of HR professionals are personally using AI tools for work tasks like presentations and emails, with most using free versions that create potential security risks.

↪️ New $100,000 cost for H1-B visas will disproportionately affect small businesses, potentially accelerating the trend of service-based companies moving operations outside the US.

↪️ HR technology is moving toward integrated "cluster" systems with bi-directional data transfer, blurring lines between HR, finance, and IT systems rather than standalone point solutions.

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Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - Why leadership and culture are inseparable forces that drive sustainable business results and how adaptive organizations build psychological safety to thrive through change.

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper along with Susan Richards and guests Tee Thorsen, LAITHOS Co-Founder and Managing Partner, and Mary Ellen Clagett, LAITHOS Leadership Catalyst and Co-Founder and Managing Partner, explore how leadership directly shapes organizational culture and why both elements are critical for driving sustainable business results, especially during rapid technological and market changes.

They discuss what makes culture "adaptive" - including psychological safety, learning mindsets, and resilience - while addressing the communication challenges leaders face in building trust across their organizations.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Leaders must focus on being trustworthy through the equation C+R+I/SO (Credibility + Reliability + Intimacy divided by Self-Orientation), demonstrating expertise, consistency, and genuine care while keeping personal agendas in check.

↪️ Organizational culture functions like a hidden operating system - you can have the best strategy, but without supportive culture, it's like running new software on outdated hardware and simply won't work effectively.

↪️ Successful organizations cultivate curiosity, psychological safety, learning mindsets, and the ability to balance stability with flexibility.

↪️ Leaders must be "multilingual" in their communication approach while maintaining authenticity, and the medium of communication matters as much as the message itself.

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Teri Zipper

Susan Richards

Tracey (Tee) Thorsen

Mary Ellen Clagett

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - The rise of HR-finance convergence and why platforms are acquiring payment processors to create integrated business ecosystems that reshape the technology landscape.

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 13:24:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson discuss Anaplan's purchase of AI-powered supply chain company Syrup Technologies and Gusto's acquisition of 401K provider Guideline, alongside significant product launches including Salary.com's multilayered AI compensation suite.

They analyze OrgView data revealing that Fortune 500 companies avoiding layoffs outperformed those making cuts by 4-5%, while discussing the challenges facing OpenAI's proposed LinkedIn competitor.

Key points covered include:

↪️ News from ADP’s Innovation Day shows that the company’s AI investments are paying off. ADP embeds AI assistants throughout its platform at no extra charge, contrasting with 50 to 60% of HR vendors charging additional fees for AI features. ADP’s AI assistants focus on compliance, payroll, and auditing applications. ADP’s HCM suite Lyric is also gaining traction.

↪️ OrgView data shows Fortune 500 companies that maintained stable workforces outperformed those reducing workforces by 4 to 5% across revenue, productivity, and other business metrics, challenging the conventionally held benefits of workforce reduction.

↪️ Salary.com just launched its new CompAnalyst AI Suite, designed to give employers simplified and more powerful ways to manage compensation based on detailed and deep talent data with multilayered AI agents giving users the ability to analyze data from many different perspectives with complete transparency.

↪️ OpenAI's proposed hiring platform, intended to take on LinkedIn, faces the same obstacles that derailed previous attempts by Microsoft, Meta, and Google; the B2B market with its complex sales processes, compliance laws, and regulatory requirements is much different than the consumer market.

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Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - The death of traditional performance management and why AI-driven skills inference is the key to future-proofing your workforce in volatile business environments.

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0000

In this special episode* of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and guest Jamie Aitken, Vice President of HR Transformation at Betterworks, discuss the current state of AI deployment in HR and its intersection with strategic performance management. While many employees use ChatGPT individually, organizations show limited AI integration within their HR technology stack, with HR departments often excluded from enterprise AI planning discussions.

The conversation explores how AI can transform performance management through skills inference, data-driven calibration, and real-time workforce planning.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Many HR departments find themselves excluded from organizational AI planning, missing the opportunity to shape employee experience and change management around AI adoption.

↪️ Organizations are universally moving toward continuous feedback models that focus on growth, collaboration, and real-time coaching rather than annual review cycles.

↪️ AI can analyze performance conversations, peer feedback, and project outcomes to automatically identify employee capabilities and quickly assemble teams for emerging business needs.

↪️ HR must shift from managing compliance and completion rates to designing employee experiences that drive business outcomes like faster goal completion, higher retention, and increased innovation.

*This episode is sponsored by Betterworks

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Teri Zipper

Jamie Aitken

Betterworks

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - How billion-dollar talent acquisition deals and private equity consolidation expose the AI ROI reality gap.

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson discuss Thoma Bravo's $12.3 billion acquisition of Dayforce and Workday's back-to-back purchases of AI companies Paradox and Flowise. They also examine contrasting research on AI adoption, with Goldman Sachs predicting minimal workforce disruption while MIT reports that 95% of organizations see zero ROI from generative AI.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Thoma Bravo takes Dayforce private for $12.3 billion (32% premium), while Workday acquires AI talent acquisition leader Paradox and low-code AI agent builder Flowise.

↪️ Discussion of conflicting studies showing 95% of organizations getting zero ROI from generative AI, contrasted with continued massive investments and the hosts' data showing strategic, tactical AI adoption in HR.

↪️Goldman Sachs study suggests AI will only temporarily impact 2.5% of US jobs, contrasting sharply with MIT findings that 95% of organizations report zero return on AI investments despite continued billion-dollar funding rounds.

↪️ Wave of executive appointments from Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and other major tech companies signals HR tech's growing prominence, though hosts warn newcomers about HR's unique compliance and regulatory complexities.

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Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - Why CFOs are now making HR technology decisions and how this collaboration drives productivity, reduces costs, and prevents costly implementation mistakes.

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper along with Stacey Harris welcome guest RD Whitney, Chief Operating Officer for The CFO Leadership Council, to explore the growing convergence between finance and HR functions. This conversation highlights how CFOs are increasingly involved in HR technology purchasing, particularly in mid-market companies, while AI adoption is creating new challenges around leadership and decision-making responsibilities.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Finance leaders are now heavily involved in decisions around total rewards, compensation, benefits, and employee engagement tools, particularly because these areas directly impact productivity and bottom-line results.

↪️ The implementation of AI technologies is creating confusion about ownership, with CEOs assigning leadership roles differently across organizations, making collaboration between C-Suite execs more critical than ever.

↪️ Organizations are moving away from department-specific technology purchases toward more integrated, enterprise-level decisions that require input from multiple C-suite leaders.

↪️ With the rapid pace of technological change and the potential for significant business disruption, the stakes for making the right technology investments have increased dramatically, requiring more careful evaluation and cross-functional input.

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Teri Zipper

Stacey Harris

RD Whitney

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Why the Workday AI bias ruling is a wake-up call for every organization using AI in hiring and what it means for compliance strategy.

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson discuss significant merger and acquisition activity, including SAP's acquisition of Smart Recruiters and the legal implications of Workday's HiredScore integration amid ongoing bias litigation. The conversation also explores key executive moves, industry recognition, and the broader implications of AI adoption in HR while addressing concerns about data reliability in the current market environment.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Sapient Insights Group's annual survey reached over 10,000 participants from 4,300+ organizations (30% increase from previous year), with new UX and vendor satisfaction scores for AI tools and contingent workforce management.

↪️ SAP acquired Smart Recruiters to strengthen their mid-market presence and gain AI talent, while neo gov was purchased by private equity firms, signaling increased consolidation in specialized HR sectors.

↪️ Federal judge ruled that Workday must provide customer lists who used HiredScore's AI features for hiring to determine if bias affected hiring decisions, creating potential compliance concerns for current customers.

↪️ Despite job market challenges, HR tech funding remains strong with $35M raised by Sparrow (AI leave management) and $50M by Ashby (recruiting), plus 74 vendors supporting the annual research survey.

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Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - How to avoid the HR vendor selection trap and why taking control of the process can save millions in failed implementations.

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 02:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and guest Brett Ungashick, Founder and CEO of Outsail, discuss one of the most challenging aspects of HR leadership: selecting and buying the right software solutions. They explore common pitfalls that derail software purchases and strategies for running a thorough, stakeholder-friendly evaluation. This conversation covers how to move beyond flashy demos and sales presentations to focus on what really matters for your organization's long-term success.

Key points covered include:

↪️ How organizations often fall in love with vendors based on charismatic salespeople and polished presentations, at the risk of ignoring other solutions that might be better suited for their needs..

↪️ The challenge of balancing input from multiple stakeholders without creating "too many voices" that slow progress, and strategies for organizing core project teams versus secondary stakeholder groups.

↪️ The difficulty buyers face in comparing vendor proposals due to inconsistent pricing models, hidden costs, and the importance of understanding total cost of ownership beyond initial software fees.

↪️ How billion-dollar software companies often control the selection process through their sales methodology, and why buyers need to take ownership by setting their own agendas, scorecards, and evaluation criteria.

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Teri Zipper

Brett Ungashick

Outsail

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - AI breakdowns; vendor announcements related to absence and leave management, benefits, and compensation; layoffs rising; and the importance of trusted data sources.

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson discuss topics ranging from AI system failures and labor market shifts to an increased vendor focus absence and leave management, compensation, and benefits. They also discuss sources HR leaders should be considering for decision-making data and a satirical essay that touches on some truths about HR analysts.

Key points covered include:

↪️ To follow the Grok debacle, the hosts discuss research showing AI systems can subliminally pass along biases even when training on neutral numerical data and what happens in multi-agent system failures. The bottom line is that AI systems and agents require ongoing maintenance, careful and audited training, and close oversight.

↪️ Layoffs have reached their highest levels since 2020, with delayed effects finally showing in latest unemployment data. The hosts discuss other data sources organizations can leverage for accurate information and workforce planning in addition to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

↪️ In vendor news, Payscale just announced a partnership with WorldatWork, which will give all Payscale users WorldatWork membership benefits, including access to its education and certification programs and other resources about compensation and total rewards. Alight announced a

↪️ Sage acquiring Fyle signals a broader trend of pure HR platforms integrating finance elements to create more connected systems, particularly beneficial for SMBs seeking streamlined employee-centric financial processes.

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Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - The unsurprising truth about AI bias in hiring vs human discrimination

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 14:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and Jeff Pole, Co-Founder & CEO of Warden AIi, discuss the reality of AI bias in talent acquisition and hiring processes. This conversation covers the shared responsibility between vendors and organizations when implementing AI tools, practical guidance for evaluating AI systems, and the importance of third-party auditing in building trust.

Key points covered include:

↪️ AI systems performed more fairly across demographic groups (sex, gender, race, ethnicity) compared to traditional human-driven hiring processes, with 85% of AI systems passing standard fairness thresholds.

↪️ Only 14 AI-related employment discrimination cases emerged over five years, compared to hundreds of thousands of traditional discrimination claims, putting current legal concerns in perspective.

↪️ AI vendors and organizations share responsibility for safe deployment - vendors must build sound systems while users must implement them correctly with proper governance.

↪️ Organizations should involve legal, IT, and risk teams early in AI vendor evaluations, asking for AI explainability statements and understanding how vendors would support clients during potential discrimination claims.

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Teri Zipper

Jeff Pole

Warden AI

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - How companies demanding 50+ hour weeks to fund automation are amplifying workforce anxiety while 80% of workers already fear job displacement.

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 14:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson break down the latest HR tech news, covering major acquisitions in the skills data space and global expansion moves. The episode examines how companies like Workday are positioning themselves for government contracts and international growth, particularly in India, while addressing the growing demand for talent intelligence solutions.

They explore worker sentiment data showing widespread job insecurity and the impact of AI anxiety on the workforce, alongside concerning trends about women leaving the tech sector.

Key points covered include:

↪️ SD Worx acquires a French payroll firm targeting small businesses while Lightcast purchases Rhetorik to strengthen their skills data offerings, reflecting two primary growth strategies: global expansion and data monetization.

↪️ Workday continues its roll with the creation of Workday Government, a wholly owned subsidiary to serve the U.S. government; the company also announced expansion into India with a local data center and expanded sales force.

↪️ Survey data reveals 80% of U.S. workers feel insecure in their roles due to AI concerns, while UK data shows only 7% believe the job market favors them currently.

↪️ The U.S. faces a growing disconnect with an increasing supply of college graduates and a rising demand for skilled trades workers; new educational models combining technical training with critical thinking skills are needed.

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Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - How AI transforms talent acquisition by eliminating bias and automating tasks while avoiding the “black box” trap that alienates candidates.

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 15:47:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and guest Stephanie Manzelli, Chief People Officer at Employ Inc., explore the benefits and challenges of AI implementation in talent acquisition. They discuss how AI can reduce bias and automate repetitive tasks, while also addressing the "black box" problem where candidates feel lost in automated screening processes. This conversation is packed with practical strategies for successful AI adoption, including the importance of change management, proper training, and maintaining human judgment in the hiring process.

Key points covered include:

↪️ AI tools are enabling recruiters to focus on candidate skills and potential rather than traditional credentials, linear career paths, and pedigree-based screening.

↪️ Organizations must address the "black box" problem by ensuring AI tools provide visibility into candidate screening processes and avoid automatically dispositioning qualified applicants.

↪️ Successful AI adoption requires comprehensive training on ethical usage, clear communication about value propositions, and ongoing auditing of processes to maintain effectiveness.

↪️ Employe Inc.'s 2025 Job Seeker Nation Report reveals that compensation transparency and frequent communication are key to positive candidate experiences, and more job seekers reported receiving offers at or above salary expectations.

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Teri Zipper

Stephanie Manzelli

Employ

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Toning down the AI hype, Oracle’s big win, good news for the global payroll market, and how the tax code is related to tech layoffs.

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 14:18:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson conduct a wide-ranging conversation covering announcements in the global payroll space, a gigantic contract for Oracle, and a new AI-driven platform for restructuring work. They also touch on what’s behind tech layoffs and a general consensus among practitioners to tone down the AI hype.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Payscale expands into Romania with the opening of the Bucharest Technology Hub, solidifying Payscale’s global expansion and reinforcing its commitment to AI research for innovative compensation solutions.

EPI-USE, a global tech company specializing in implementing SAP solutions, and datascalehr, an AI-native global payroll API vendor, are partnering together to simplify global payroll integrations for multi-national corporations, especially those with employee populations in multiple companies. Hear why companies specializing in integrations and middleware are becoming more and more critical.

Oracle took a risk to be an early mover in the hyperscale market; it has now paid off with a massive $30 billion cloud agreement with OpenAI, the largest cloud agreement for AI to date. Listen for how Oracle anticipated the enormous server space and computing power that AI would demand, positioning itself ahead of the curve even as competitors questioned the move. into the hyperscale market.

↪️ Two factors are driving job layoffs and the increasing use of outsourcing and offshoring in the technology sector: The expiration of Section 174, which allowed for 100% tax deductions for research and development expenses, along with current and projected tariffs.

↪️ Highlights from the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council conference in New Orleans, which brought together leaders from businesses of all sizes. A key data point: Women-owned businesses contribute $2.7 trillion to the U.S. economy and employ more than 12 million people. As Stacey says, “That’s not a niche, that’s real impact.

↪️ Reejig announced the launch of Work Architecture, an infrastructure platform that enables organizations to continuously evolve how work is structured, managed, and deployed. The platform breaks work down into tasks and skills; redesigns roles and org structures without relying on job titles; and importantly, enables skills-based workforce planning at scale.

Jerry Ting, founder and CEO of Evisort, was named Workday’s vice president of agentic AI. He’ll also continue to lead Evisort, acquired by Workday in 2024, which helps extract insights from unstructured data in contracts and other documents.

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Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Updates from isolved Connect for Partners and Dayforce Summit 2025, plus recent acquisitions and discussions around advances in managing contingent workforces and shifts in employee are learning for the future.

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 13:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson provide updates on two recent industry events, just-announced acquisitions and partnerships, and shifting trends in areas such as managing contingent workers, learning approaches to equip employees with AI skills, and a new way to manage and govern AI across enterprise tech.

Key points covered include:

Cliff provides an update from the isolved Connect for Partners event in Las Vegas, which brought together hundreds of partners to network and collaborate, gain product insights, and learn about isolved’s product roadmaps.

Stacey highlights parts of her presentation at the Dayforce Summit 2025 in Dallas and shares other news, including the recent announcement that the Government of Canada is moving forward with the adoption of Dayforce’s HR and pay solutions.

↪️ Beeline’s acquisition of MBO Partners demonstrates Beeline’s commitment to providing a workforce management solution that addresses all types of employees, including contingent workers, freelancers, and consultants, within a unified platform.

↪️ Stacey and Cliff talk about the emerging market entrant Lana AI, which gives companies the ability to “import” blocks of functionality from disparate HR solutions to provide a unified, AI-supported employee engagement platform with advanced analytics. The company recognizes a need to not only unify systems across the enterprise but to also implement and govern AI across functional areas such as recruiting, employee engagement, and skills development.

↪️ Greenhouse's partnership with Clear1 introduces airport-style identity verification to candidate screening. Stacey and Cliff discuss the advantages of integrating Clear1 with Greenhouse’s hiring platform, especially now with the growing trend of AI-generated resumes and fake candidates; they also talk about the debate over though the debate over potential bias and privacy in the verification process.

↪️ The 28th Annual HR System Survey is LIVE. In addition to covering all segments of HR tech, the survey will delve into new areas such as contingent workforces and the confluence of work and HR tech. All participants will get a complimentary copy of the final report. Take the report today https://sapientinsights.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3CAEkoe5QFNOEoC?SOURCE=SIGPodcast&ID=156

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Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - From barrier to competitive edge: How forward-thinking employers are discovering that most disability accommodations cost under $500 and deliver outsized returns on talent acquisition.

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 13:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and guest Sue Ruzenski, CEO of Helen Keller Services, discuss employment opportunities and workplace accommodations for people who are blind, have low vision, or are deaf-blind. They tackle how organizations can better support these talented individuals through practical accommodations that typically cost less than $500 per employee. This conversation explores available resources, assistive technologies, and how employment specialists can bridge the gap between job seekers and employers nationwide.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Most workplace accommodations for employees with vision or hearing loss cost under $500, making inclusion accessible for organizations of all sizes.

↪️ AI-powered glasses, navigation apps, and adaptive software are creating new opportunities for independence and workplace success.

↪️ The biggest barrier to employment success is employer assumptions about what's possible, rather than the actual accessibility challenges.

↪️ Remote work opportunities have created new possibilities for independence and career success within this community.

The 28th Annual HR System Survey is LIVE. In addition to covering all segments of HR tech, the survey will delve into new areas such as contingent workforces and the confluence of work and HR tech. All participants will get a complimentary copy of the final report. Take the report today https://sapientinsights.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3CAEkoe5QFNOEoC?SOURCE=SIGPodcast&ID=156

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Teri Zipper

Helen Keller Services

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Major acquisitions and AI breakthroughs signal HR tech's most accelerated period since 2010.

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 13:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson explore the accelerating pace of change in the HR tech industry, comparing current market activity to pivotal moments including 2010-2011 and post-COVID periods. The discussion covers a wave of significant mergers and acquisitions, including UKG's acquisition of Shiftboard and major funding rounds like Grammarly's $1 billion raise and Awardco joining the unicorn club.

They also examine how AI is moving beyond basic automation toward evaluation and analysis capabilities, with companies like Cornerstone, Anaplan, and others embedding AI into their core platforms while addressing limitations and errors.

Key points covered include:

↪️ UKG acquires Shiftboard for skills-based scheduling in energy/manufacturing, while Acrisure bought Heartland Payroll and Intuit acquired GoCo to expand market reach.

↪️ Multiple vendors are moving into strategic workforce planning by 2026, with growing emphasis on bridging the gap between HR and finance functions through better planning systems.

↪️ Leading vendors like Cornerstone are being transparent about AI limitations, including hallucinations, while focusing on practical applications and providing clear warnings about accuracy checks rather than promising perfect solutions.

↪️ Key leadership changes include Jura Slattery joining isolved as Chief Customer Officer and Michael Flannery becoming CEO at Daxtra, reflecting companies' focus on customer experience and data-driven solutions.

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Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - Why only 16% of employees are thriving at work and how personalized wellbeing strategies beat the one-size-fits-all approach.

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 13:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem Teri Zipper and guest Kelly Mackin, Co-Founder and CEO of Motives Met and author of “Work Life Well-Lived: The Motives Met Pathway to No-B.S. Well-Being at Work,” discuss her research identifying 28 psychological and emotional "motives" that drive thriving at work, revealing that only 16% of people are truly thriving in their professional lives. The conversation explores how wellbeing is highly individualized, with different needs taking priority for each person across various seasons of life.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Work-life harmony is just one of 28 motives that influence workplace wellbeing, and people are either "integrators" who blend work and personal life or "separators" who prefer clear boundaries.

↪️ Creating a thriving workplace culture requires co-creation, with leaders setting the tone but everyone taking responsibility.

↪️ 63% of people fear expressing emotions like stress or frustration at work, contributing to environments of toxic positivity.

↪️ Individuals can take control of their workplace wellbeing by identifying their top motives, developing an action plan, and asking for what they need.

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Teri Zipper

Kelly Mackin

Motives Met

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - LIVE from UKG’s Analyst Day; BREAKING News: Federal Judge Allows Hiring Discrimination Lawsuit Against Workday to Proceed + Moderna's Decision to Combine Responsibility for HR and Digital Technology

Thu, 29 May 2025 13:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson discuss UKG's major cultural transformation under CEO Jennifer Morgan and discuss how the company is moving from reactive to proactive customer service while targeting double-digit growth in the enterprise market. This conversation also covers Moderna's decision to combine its CHRO and IT leadership roles in an effort to align talent and tech to create an adaptive, AI-ready organization.

Key points covered include:

↪️ UKG’s new CEO Jennifer Morgan's transparent approach to addressing cultural and customer challenges related to recent acquisitions while pursuing double-digit growth and strategic partnerships. .

↪️ Industry experts warn against over-reliance on external benchmarks, advocating for organizational DNA-based decision making as AI systems risk homogenizing company cultures

↪️ A federal judge allowed a hiring discrimination lawsuit against Workday to proceed as a collective action, potentially opening floodgates for similar cases based on algorithmic biases in hiring software.

↪️ Work Human is now helping its customers use data for purposes beyond employee recognition, including for employee network analysis, identification of future leaders, and skills mapping; its expanded partnership strategy is a reflection of the broader ways AI and employee data can be used across an organization.

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Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson
Twitter | LinkedIn

HR, We Have a Problem - Pivot or Perish: Why organizational agility is your competitive advantage.

Thu, 22 May 2025 13:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, host Teri Zipper and industry veteran Steve Goldberg explore organizational agility as a critical pathway to business success in today's fluid, unpredictable environment.

Drawing from decades of experience across investment banks and HR tech leadership roles, Goldberg shares his "Ascension Test" framework for how companies can rise within their industry ranks through strategic pivoting and effective change management.

The conversation dives into why many transformations fail despite good intentions, highlighting the delicate balance between technological implementation and human adaptation.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Transformation requires addressing "the three Cs": candor, clarity, and communication—especially when explaining the "why" and "why now" behind changes.

↪️ Human capital management must be owned across the organization, not just within HR departments, to enable true agility.

↪️ Change readiness extends beyond process updates to include mindset shifts and leadership demonstrating genuine commitment.

↪️ Historically, companies rarely ascend industry ranks through cost-cutting alone—true advancement comes through enhanced agility and innovation.

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Teri Zipper

Steve Goldberg

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - A recap of major tech conferences, ServiceNow's UKG partnership to integrate AI agents, and how AI is affecting ageism across industries - starting at age 29 in tech.

Fri, 16 May 2025 14:38:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson recap what they learned at recent major HR tech events, including Unleash America. The conversation also explores what’s behind ServiceNow's just-announced partnership with UKG to integrate UKG AI agents with ServiceNow’s AI Agent Fabric and the latest updates on Oracle’s product and marketing strategy, gleaned from its recent Analytics and Data Summit.

This episode also covers critical workplace issues, including how AI is affecting ageism bias, Microsoft's new policy to give under-performing employees a choice between a PIP and a severance package, and the urgent need for organizations to establish proper norms around AI-generated work.

Key points covered include:

↪️ By working with tech companies such as NVIDIA, Microsoft, and Google, ServiceNow is set to give organizations the ability to integrate AI agents from any implemented AI tool with ServiceNow’s AI Agent Fabric, allowing AI agents to collaborate across solutions.

↪️ Workday secures a $342,000 government contract with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to modernize the agency’s HR system. The contract, which has drawn some criticism because of the closed bidding process, potentially positions Workday for broader work across the federal government.

↪️ The rise of AI and related skills are accelerating ageism in the workplace; in fact, ageism bias in tech companies can begin as early as 29.

↪️ No, Microsoft isn’t getting rid of performance improvement plans; rather the company is now giving employees a choice to work under a traditional PIP or accept a 16-week severance package.

There’s much more to this far-reaching conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

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Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson
Twitter | LinkedIn

HR, We Have a Problem - How to personalize the employee experience and why the one-size-fits-all engagement strategy no longer works.

Thu, 08 May 2025 13:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and seasoned HR executive Pam Myers discuss practical guidance for HR professionals navigating today's changing workplace dynamics, including remote work challenges and mergers & acquisitions. They also cover the critical role leadership plays in creating positive workplace cultures and how data analytics can help organizations become more proactive in addressing employee needs.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Employee engagement has evolved from basic job satisfaction to a more individualized approach that considers career paths, social connections, and personal values.

↪️ Leadership that prioritizes autonomy, personal connection, and development opportunities creates stronger workplace cultures.

↪️ Data analytics and AI are creating opportunities for more predictive and personalized approaches to employee engagement.

↪️ The future of employee experience will become increasingly personalized through technology, meeting employees where they are in both their professional and personal life cycles.

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Teri Zipper

Pam Myers

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - HR tech vendors are spying on each other, AI bots applying for job openings and how women will feel the impact first as AI replaces HR jobs

Fri, 02 May 2025 13:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson discuss key takeaways from the Workday Innovation Summit, including more focus on its ecosystem strategy and partner relationships, the Workday Extend platform, and more plans for AI.

The hosts discuss numerous executive changes at Greenhouse, UKG, Docebo, I4CP, and Perceptyx and what they mean for corporate strategies and customers. Throughout the conversation, they reference new uses for AI, its intersection with HR, opportunities for exploitation, manipulation, and misuse – as well as the potential disproportionate impact of AI on women in the workforce.

Key points covered include:

↪️ The 28th Annual HR System Survey launches May 1st. In addition to covering all segments of HR tech, the survey will delve into new areas such as contingent workforces and the confluence of work and HR tech. All participants will get a complimentary copy of the final report.

↪️ At its recent Innovation Summit, Workday execs discussed the company’s focus on its partner ecosystem, the Extend platform for app development, and more plans for AI.

↪️ Paychex completes its acquisition of Paycor, with plans to maintain the Paycor brand while exploring ASO and PO service opportunities.

↪️ Microsoft's new People Skills, an AI-powered data layer within Microsoft 365 Copilot, promises to infer and map skills based on user activity – another example of how AI tools are blurring the lines between work and HR technology.

↪️ AI-powered recruiting tools are reshaping hiring processes but stories of misuse are cropping up. “Fake” applicants are starting to flood systems and biased filters are systematically overlooking qualified candidates.

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Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - How proper AI implementation drives productivity, enhances decision-making with data, and creates strategic advantage fundamentally changing how work gets done.

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 13:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper welcomes William Tincup, Editor, Analyst, Advisor & Host at WRKdefined, for a candid discussion on how HR is fundamentally about improvisation, with practitioners regularly shifting from planned activities to urgent matters like harassment claims or large-scale acquisitions.

Their discussion covers technology adoption, AI implementation, recruiting trends, and the importance of making HR systems engaging for employees who aren't explicitly paid to use them. Throughout the episode, they share practical insights about creating sustainable technology adoption through gamification, thoughtful change management, and a focus on user experience.

Key points covered include:

↪️ The real challenge with AI isn't the technology itself but adoption - creating systems for employees to share what they're learning and increasing digital literacy across organizations.

↪️ Rather than overwhelming employees with all features at once, gradually introduce functionality and ensure people are comfortable with each layer before moving deeper

↪️ AI adoption in HR benefits from experimentation and sharing knowledge organization-wide - the challenge isn't the technology itself but creating systems for organizational learning as people use these tools.

↪️ As AI transforms recruiting into an "AI versus AI" dynamic with candidates using AI for resumes, HR professionals should focus less on keywords and more on finding people who genuinely want the job.

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Teri Zipper

William Tincup

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Why Europe and Asia are outpacing US AI Adoption, data integration's 17% ROI and how skills validation is changing the global HR landscape.

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 13:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson discuss international acquisitions, AI implementations across the industry, and the growing focus on skills-based approaches to workforce management. This conversation explores how organizations are navigating technology decisions during a period of economic uncertainty, particularly in the US market.

The hosts also preview Sapient Insights Group's 28th Annual HR Systems Survey launching May 1st, highlighting new questions on AI adoption, contingent workforce management, and integration strategies.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Integration strategy is critical - organizations with data integration strategies see 16-17% better business outcomes, yet only 20% of companies have such strategies in place.

↪️ AI development is shifting from a "checkers" approach (collecting maximum data) to a "chess" approach (strategic data selection for specific outcomes).

↪️Skills validation and standardization are becoming critical challenges, with new initiatives like skills-first.org and extended reality training platforms addressing these needs.

↪️ Europe and Asia-Pacific markets are showing stronger AI adoption at the mid-market and SMB levels compared to the more uncertain US market.

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Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - The rise of the workforce systems leader in hr and why CHROs need them in 2025

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 13:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and guest Richard Rosenow, VP People Analytics Strategy at One Model, discuss the evolution of people analytics and systems thinking in HR. This conversation explores the role of "workforce systems leaders" who coordinate the people data supply chain across strategy, operations, technology, data, and analytics.

Key points covered include:

↪️ People analytics is best viewed as "listening at scale," allowing HR professionals to understand workforce dynamics through data while still leveraging their human-centered strengths.

↪️ A new "workforce systems leader" role is naturally emerging to coordinate the people data supply chain (strategy, ops, tech, data, analytics) and relieve overwhelmed CHROs

↪️ The biggest challenge in people analytics today isn't technology or data skills but driving organizational change and securing resources to implement insights.

↪️ Modern analytics platforms are making technology more accessible, allowing HR professionals to return to their core strengths while being data-informed.

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Teri Zipper

Richard Rosenow

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Deel-Rippling corporate espionage, more executive moves and product announcements, and recent survey findings on pay equity and AI use among small businesses.

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 13:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson explore several notable executive movements, including new leadership roles at Udemy, iSolved, and Rippling. They analyze recent product-related announcements such as the full integration of ApplicantPro into isolved’s brand and UKG’s launch of Ready Suite into the Canadian market. The conversation also touches on the high-profile legal dispute between Deel and Rippling and its implications for buyers and data security practices.

Key points covered include:

↪️ isolved's full and complete integration of ApplicantPro into its brand and business,, strengthening the company’s all-in-one platform approach for SMB customers.

↪️ UKG’s launch of Ready Suite into the Canadian market, offering a native payroll solution for small businesses as well as its full product suite. The move is part of the company’s expansion beyond the 3000-plus employee market.

↪️ The lawsuit over alleged corporate espionage between Deel and Rippling highlights critical questions around data access controls and security practices for HR tech vendors.

↪️ According to the recent Paychex survey, while 72% of small businesses have a somewhat positive to very positive sentiment about AI use, 18% struggle with AI use because of poor data.

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Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - How to redirect your career path and transition beyond retirement.

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 14:27:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper sits down with HR tech legend Lexy Martin, the originator of the annual HR System Survey Report. Lexy shares her journey from being one of the first women in tech programming in 1967 to becoming a renowned researcher and thought leader in HR technology.

The conversation explores her groundbreaking work in self-service HR solutions, lessons from decades of research, and her current focus on helping people "redirect" rather than retire. Throughout the discussion, Lexy offers valuable insights on career transitions that apply to professionals at any age.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Integration of HR technology remains a significant challenge, requiring cross-functional collaboration and effective change management.

↪️ People analytics consistently proves to be the technology that most improves organizational performance when properly implemented.

↪️ Successful career "redirecting" requires foundations including financial stability, physical/emotional health, strong relationships, and time to "cocoon" and reflect.

↪️ Modern thought leadership is evolving from individual expertise to community-based learning and knowledge sharing.

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Teri Zipper

Lexy Martin

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - A conversation on recent acquisitions, AI’s impact, targeting frontline workers, plus new data on compensation trends and DEI investments.

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 13:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech,Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson discuss the implications of recent M&A activity including Deel’s acquisition of Safeguard Global's payroll team, which brings with it more than 1,000 payroll clients; BTS Group’s acquisition of Sounding Board, a coaching and leadership development platform; and Employ’s acquisition of Pillar, bringing AI-enabled interviewing insights to Employ’s applicant tracking portfolio. Stacey and Cliff also unpack the broader significance of the just-announced strategic partnership between hireEZ, an AI-enabled hiring platform, with Talroo, a provider of AI-driven job advertising for frontline workers and tradespeople.

The hosts further discuss ways in which AI is being implemented across HR platforms, bringing in examples such as PlanSource's use of AI for benefits administration, SalaryIQ’s ability to uncover competitive job-related insights, and Engagedly's new AI-enabled talent platform. They also cover findings from Payscales’ 2025 report for compensation trends and DEI investments.

Key points covered include:

↪️ M&A activity in the HR tech market was strong in 2024; Drake Star’s Q4 2024 report showed the highest levels of activity and deal values and projected a 9.4% growth for HR tech in 2025.

↪️ Data analysis, chatbots, help tools, AI agents are among the primary ways AI is being used in HR tech applications; careful human oversight is important in all cases. Using the tools in negative ways (such as monitoring employee conversations) results in employee distrust and renders the the tools ineffective.

↪️ Despite political backlash around DEI initiatives, Payscale's 2025 report shows only 11% of organizations plan to reduce DEI investments while 28% plan to increase them.

↪️ HR technology solutions that help companies target frontline workers and tradespeople are seeing increased investment. This is as-yet a largely untapped market and one that could be important in a time of economic uncertainty.

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Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - Skills vs. Tenure: How modern organizations leverage career architecture to make promotion decisions.

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 13:48:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper is joined by HR executive, Bob Hanley, and consultant, Kim Nugent, to examine the shift from tenure-based to skills-based promotion decisions. Both guests bring experience from major organizations including Abbott Labs, Whirlpool, and Microsoft. Their discussion explores generational workplace differences, remote work challenges, and methods for creating trust and psychological safety.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Organizations need flexible career architectures that allow employees, especially younger generations, to create their own career paths rather than following predetermined vertical progressions.

↪️ While technology and analytics have improved talent management, organizations still struggle with the human elements of development - including feedback, communication, and building trust in hybrid work environments.

↪️ HR leaders must balance remote/hybrid work options with intentional in-person experiences to build social networks and mentorship opportunities, particularly for early-career professionals.

↪️ Skills development serves as career security for employees, while organizations need to improve how they identify and sponsor talent beyond traditional experience requirements.

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Teri Zipper

Bob Hanley

Kim Nugent

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - How AI is driving internal changes in many HR tech companies, as well as changes in the overall tech market.

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 14:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson discuss significant internal changes at major HR tech companies, including Workday, Zoho, Anaplan, Dayforce, and Darwinbox. The conversation covers changes in leadership, funding news, workforce layoffs, hiring plans, and growth metrics.

Key topics include:

↪️ Major changes at Workday: Plans to cut approximately 1,750 jobs as company doubles down on AI focus; former Google and SAP executive Garrit Kazmaier is replacing Sayan Chakrobarty as president of product and technology; and the just-announced strategic partnership with global talent company Randstad will integrate Workday’s recruiting agent, powered by Illuminate, with Randstad’s extensive talent network to bring AI support to recruiting and hiring processes.

Shailesh Kumar Davey has assumed the CEO role at Zoho, the Indian multinational tech company; he succeeds founder Sridhar Vembo, who now has the role of chief scientist and will focus fully on R&D initiatives.

↪️ Darwinbox, another Indian company, is looking to raise $120 to $150 million to expand its global footprint, further product innovation, and increase its competitiveness with market leaders such as SAP, Successfactors, and Workday.

↪️ As return-to-office mandates continue to make the news, research shows that hybrid and remote work models can boost productivity by up to 12% compared to full-time office work.

Don’t miss this timely conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - HR is no laughing matter - or is it? The strategic power of humor in HR to build trust in the workplace

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 14:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and guest Peter “The Culture Doctor” Phelan, Founder and CEO of ValuesCulture, explore the powerful role of humor in HR. Through personal anecdotes and scientific insights, Peter illustrates how incorporating appropriate humor can accelerate stakeholder relationships and make complex HR topics more engaging and accessible, while maintaining credibility and professionalism.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Leveraging humor strategically in professional settings requires an understanding of context and timing, with Peter sharing how his early experiences transitioning from academic presentations to Bloomberg Radio helped shape his approach to "edutainment" in corporate environments.

↪️ In an era of increasing AI adoption and workplace uncertainty, humor serves as a powerful differentiator and relationship builder, helping HR professionals become indispensable through stronger human connections with their stakeholders.

↪️ HR professionals who don't consider themselves naturally funny can still effectively incorporate humor by starting with curated content like relevant cartoons and gradually building confidence to share their own relatable workplace experiences.

↪️ The "Trust Equation" framework demonstrates how strategic use of humor can enhance professional relationships by building credibility and intimacy while reducing perceived self-orientation, creating stronger connections with stakeholders.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Peter Phelan

ValuesCulture

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - AI agents, Workday's big bet on digital workforce management and the latest HR tech giants expanding through strategic acquisitions.

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 14:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson explore how companies like ADP, Phenom, Paradox, and HiBob are strategically expanding through acquisitions that enhance their data capabilities and global reach. They analyze how these developments reflect broader industry trends toward data-driven decision-making and the strategic integration of AI in HR processes.

Key points covered include:

↪️ HiBob's pending acquisition of Mosaic for FP&A capabilities and ADP's expansion into Mexico through PEI signal a push toward integrated financial and workforce planning in the mid-market space.

↪️ Workday introduces an industry-first AI agent system of record, emphasizing the growing importance of managing and securing AI tools within HR systems.

↪️ Recent industry events, including Cornerstone's sales kickoff and Visier's conference, reveal increasing focus on skills development, workforce planning, and the critical importance of clean data for effective AI implementation.

↪️ The intersection of HR tech and business outcomes is becoming increasingly important, as evidenced by vendors expanding their capabilities beyond traditional HR functions.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - How the EU Pay Transparency Directive is forcing a new approach to pay equity

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 15:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, WE Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and employment attorney Heather Bussing discuss pay equity legislation and compliance, including the upcoming EU Pay Transparency Directive and its implications for organizations globally. The discussion explores how this directive represents a shift from traditional reactive employment laws to a more proactive, data-driven approach aimed at preventing pay discrimination.

Key points covered include:

↪️ The EU Pay Transparency Directive requires companies to share pay information with candidates before interviews, establish objective criteria for pay and promotions, and conduct pay equity audits with mandatory fixes for gaps exceeding 5%.

↪️ The impact on small businesses (under 100 employees).

↪️ Organizations need to move away from ad-hoc compensation decisions and focus on developing objective, data-driven strategies for pay, which will also help with broader initiatives around skills-based hiring and career pathing.

↪️ Modern technology and data analytics tools make it easier than ever to analyze and address pay equity issues, eliminating the need for complex manual calculations.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Heather Bussing

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - The latest AI in HR news, global pay and benefit changes, the DeepSeek disruption, and so much more.

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 15:00:00 -0000

discuss a very busy month in HR tech news. The conversation starts with several significant acquisitions and partnerships, all related to bringing AI functionality to customers. 15Five's purchase of Kona promises management coaching powered by AI; Nayya’s integrations with bswift and Workday will bring personalized benefit guidance to employees. The two also discuss Workday’s plan to roll out TechWolf’s skills intelligence capabilities to its 20,000+ employees. Cliff and Cindy then share their perspective on the potential industry impact of DeepSeek, the Chinese AI app that rivals ChatGPT in functionality. The discussion also touches on global pay and benefit regulatory changes and recent executive orders affecting DEI initiatives in the U.S.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Recent acquisitions, integration partnerships, and staffing announcements signal continued investments in AI capabilities for HR tech. Workday announces its plan to rollout TechWolf's AI-powered skills intelligence capabilities to its global workforce of 20,000+ employees with the goal of helping them better manage their careers.

↪️ A global wave of new pay and benefit regulations, ranging from Italy's parental benefits to Singapore's mental health protections, reflect a worldwide shift toward comprehensive workplace protection despite DEI rollbacks in the U.S.

–

↪️ The DeepSeek AI app that rivals ChatGPT in terms of functionality but with 95% lower costs challenges assumptions about AI development and sends ripples through the tech market. However, its China-based data centers raise questions about data security.

↪️ The recently announced The Stargate Project is a private joint venture initiative that promises to build AI infrastructure across the U.S. Oracle, Softbank, and OpenAI are lead partners in the project, estimated to cost around $500B.

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Sapient Insights Group

Cliff Stevenson

Cindy Maurer

HR, We Have a Problem - Will AI Agents replace your HR tech stack? What every HR leader needs to know.

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 15:51:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and guest George LaRocque, Founder and Chief Analyst at WorkTech, explore the continued impact of AI on HR platforms, discussing how traditional HR tech is evolving into "work tech" with a focus on data-driven, employee-first solutions. The conversation covers critical considerations for HR leaders navigating this transition, from pricing models to strategic implementation.

Key points covered include:

↪️ The shift from HR tech to work tech represents a fundamental change in how organizations handle workforce management, with emphasis on data relevance, interoperability, and employee-first design.

↪️ The emergence of AI agents is reshaping HR platforms, with a trend toward more integrated ecosystems.

↪️ Organizations should approach their HR tech stack as an investment portfolio, carefully balancing innovation and risk when considering new technologies and, particularly startups.

↪️ HR tech vendors are grappling with new AI-driven pricing models, moving from traditional subscription-based pricing to usage-based and results-based structures.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

George LaRocque

WorkTech

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Will your skills become obsolete by 2030? The Paychex-Paycor deal, UKG’S leadership moves, and the blurring lines between HR and IT.

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 15:39:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson discuss a range of changes in the HR market, starting with Paychex's intent to acquire Paycor for $4.1 billion – a move that would impact the small- and mid-sized HR tech markets. They also cover key executive announcements, including new appointments at UKG and 15Five. The conversation culminates with insights from the World Economic Forum's latest report on the future of jobs, which identifies, broadening digital access, cost of living increases, and climate mitigation, and demographic shifts among the most important trends impacting workforces.

Key points covered include:

↪️ The Paychex’s pending acquisition of Paycor represents a strategic move to gain upmarket share. Stacey and Cliff discuss the signs pointing to market maturity in the payroll tech segment and the potential for further consolidation.

↪️ UKG makes a strategic leadership moves, by appointing as president and CFO Arlen Schenkman, who previously held senior executive roles at Boomi, Citrix, and SAP. 15Five adds to its board of directors Larry Donovan, who most recently was chief revenue officer for Dayforce. Stacey and Cliff talk about how these leaders could influence corporate strategies.

↪️ The World Economic Forum 2025 report, The Future of Jobs, predicts that 39% of workers’ skills will become outdated within five years; the report identifies, analytical thinking, resilience, flexibility, and agility as critical competencies for the future.

↪️ NVIDIA's Jensen Huang suggests IT departments will become the "HR department for AI agents," raising important questions about the future relationship between HR and IT and the implementation and governance of AI-enabled systems..

Special announcement! Fostering a more inclusive and positive culture in a workplace of constant change is hard and messy but not impossible. In our in-depth and collaborative learning program, we break it down. Join Navigating Change with Confidence, a cohort-based, immersive program launching in January 2025. Click here to learn more.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - The impact of executive buy-in on AI adoption - and why HR can’t wait for IT to lead the way.

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 15:12:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and guest Jeanne Achille, Founder & CEO at Devon Group, explore how organizations are grappling with AI implementation, from the ground-up adoption by employees to the challenges of executive oversight. They cover the importance of focusing on AI's benefits rather than limitations, particularly in HR where the technology is becoming increasingly embedded in daily operations.

Key points covered include:

↪️ The rapid advancement of AI adoption (18-24 months) compared to previous tech transitions like the internet (8-10 years), requiring organizations to act quickly and strategically.

↪️ Organizations should focus on automating non-exception tasks first while maintaining human oversight for complex decision-making and exceptions.

↪️ Small and mid-sized companies are showing more agility in AI implementation compared to large enterprises, where IT-led initiatives often delay HR-related AI projects.

↪️ The growing need for executive-level understanding and involvement in AI strategy, as its impact spans across departments from HR to operations.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Jeanne Achille

Devon Group

HR, We have a Problem - Special episode with the Sapient Insights Group team

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 17:23:00 -0000

As the year winds down, we’re taking a moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate everything 2024 brought our way. In this special year-end episode, the team comes together to share memorable moments, hard-earned lessons, and a glimpse into what’s next.

Join us as we dive into the highs and lows, revisit the resolutions

we set, and discuss how we’ve grown—both as individuals and as a team. Whether

you’ve been on this journey with us all year or are tuning in for the first

time, this episode is a heartfelt wrap-up to the year, filled with gratitude,

insights, and a few surprises along the way. Let’s close out the year together

and set the stage for an even brighter 2025!

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - HR Tech in 2025: Major mergers, net neutrality, and much, much more

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 21:33:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson discuss a wide variety of topics, ranging from Sapient’s latest findings on the benefits space to recent mergers and acquisitions, including Deel's acquisition of Assemble, The Cloud Connectors’ merger with Joynd, and the UKG-Experian integration partnership. They also explore the implications of the recent net neutrality ruling and its potential impact on HR technology providers.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Recent HR tech partnerships are focusing on compensation management and integration capabilities. Stacey and Cliff discuss the implications of Deel’s acquisition of Assemble and The Cloud Connectors’ merger with Joynd, both of which have the goal of enhancing HR-specific data integration and connectivity.

↪️ The Federal Appeals Court just struck down FCC net neutrality rules, raising concerns about potential impacts on SaaS providers and small vendors in the HR tech space.

↪️ The Greenhouse 2024 State of Job Hunting report reveals concerning statistics about candidate experience, with 61% of job seekers experiencing ghosting and 64% reporting discrimination during interviews.

↪️ Stacey and Cliff discuss growing concerns about AI's negative impact on the candidate experience in recruiting.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Instagram | X | LinkedIn

Cliff Stevenson

X | LinkedIn

HR, We Have a Problem - How to build a successful HR tech strategy through stakeholder buy-in and system integration.

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 15:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and guest Michelle Stewart, Senior Manager of HR Systems at Federated Co-operatives Limited, explore the challenges of managing multiple HR systems, dealing with frequent software updates, and creating seamless user experiences while working within organizational constraints. This conversation highlights the importance of stakeholder relationships and transparent communication in successful HR technology implementation.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Successful HR systems management requires building strong stakeholder relationships and understanding business needs before implementing technical solutions.

↪️ Transparency in project prioritization and capacity helps manage expectations and builds trust with HR peers and business partners.

↪️ Modern HR tech requires constant evaluation of new features and updates across multiple systems, making it essential to maintain a consolidated backlog of enhancement requests.

↪️ Integration of new technologies should focus on seamless user experiences rather than adding complexity to the tech stack.

Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Michelle Stewart

Federated Co-operatives Limited

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - HR Tech Giants Announce Major Leadership Changes & Product Launches

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 17:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson discuss significant personnel changes at major companies including ADP, Workday, and UKG, exploring what these leadership shifts mean for the industry's direction. The conversation covers new product launches and partnerships, including Paychex's HR Analytics Premium Plus with Visier integration and Anaplan's operational workforce planning application.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Several major HR tech companies announced leadership changes, including UKG naming Suresh Vittal as CPO and Workday appointing Rob Enslin as President and Chief Commercial Officer.

↪️ Paychex launched HR Analytics Premium Plus with Visier integration, expanding their analytics capabilities for SMB customers.

↪️ The merger of JobGet and SnagAJob signals continued focus on solutions for frontline workers, with both platforms continuing to operate independently.

↪️ Industry competition is intensifying in the mid-market and SMB space, leading to more aggressive marketing tactics between vendors.

Special announcement! Fostering a more inclusive and positive culture in a workplace of constant change is hard and messy but not impossible. In our in-depth and collaborative learning program, we break it down. Join Navigating Change with Confidence, a cohort-based immersive program launching in January 2025. Click here to learn more.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - Mind the Gap: Solving HR's technology integration challenge.

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 23:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and guest Tricia Shields, Chief Human Resource Officer at Naviant, discuss the critical intersection of technology within HR leadership. With over 15 years in both IT and HR, Tricia shares her unique perspective on how technology can transform HR departments and enhance cross-functional partnerships. They also discuss the challenges of maintaining up-to-date employee information across disparate systems, the role of strategic planning in HR tech adoption, and the increasing influence of AI in streamlining HR functions. The conversation also covers emerging trends in employee development technology and the importance of connectivity across platforms

Key points covered include:

↪️ HR technology adoption requires strong partnerships both internally (with IT departments and executives) and externally (with vendors, HR networks, and technology communities)

↪️ Organizations often struggle with multiple systems containing employee data (average of 11 different sources of record), highlighting the need for better integration and connectivity between HR tools

↪️ Employee development technology remains a gap in the HR tech landscape, particularly in creating comprehensive solutions that connect performance management, career pathing, learning content, and skills development

↪️ HR professionals should start their technology transformation by identifying paper-based or disconnected electronic processes that could be digitized or automated, rather than being intimidated by the scope of change

HR, We Have a Problem - From resistance to results: Building a change-ready organization.

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 14:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper is joined by guest Jennifer Congdon, Chief Human Resources Officer at M Financial Group. Drawing from her extensive experience in tech, aerospace, and manufacturing, Jennifer shares insights on building effective HR strategies and fostering a people-centered culture. She discusses the power of structured change management, continuous improvement, and provides practical advice on leveraging cross-functional relationships and process rigor to drive business success.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Building authentic connections across organizational hierarchies transforms resistance into partnership, creating natural champions for change at every level.

↪️ Strategic stakeholder engagement isn't just about initial buy-in—it's about creating sustainable feedback channels that turn employees into active participants in the change journey.

↪️ Change initiatives must be anchored in measurable business outcomes, with special attention to how complex organizations require tailored approaches for different departments and teams.

↪️ HR's effectiveness stems from being business partners first—immersing in operations, understanding pain points, and shaping people strategies that directly impact company goals.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Jennifer Congdon

M Financial Group

Download the 2024-25 HR Systems Survey White Pape

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - HR Tech leadership shakeup, including UKG's new C-Suite, PageUp's acquisition, and ServiceNow's bold moves.

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 16:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson deliver breaking news and insights from both the UKG Aspire and Dayforce Discover 2024 conferences. They discuss significant leadership changes at UKG, including the appointment of Arlen Shenkman as President and CFO, and analyze what these moves mean for the industry. This conversation also breaks down EQT’s acquisition of PageUp and ServiceNow's latest strategic moves in operational technology.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Jennifer Morgan’s first Aspire conference as UKG helm CEO alongside new President, GTM Rachel Barger and announce new President/CFO Arlen Shenkman – a leadership shakeup that signals aggressive enterprise growth plans given Arlen’s enterprise software pedigree from SAP and Boomi.

↪️ EQT's PageUp acquisition highlights private equity's growing interest in Asia-Pacific HR tech, where regional expertise is key to capturing emerging market opportunities.

↪️ ServiceNow reports 23% year-over-year subscription growth and acquires Mission Secure, indicating expansion beyond traditional HR tech boundaries.

↪️ LinkedIn enters the AI recruitment space with its first hiring assistant, marking a significant shift toward automation in an industry historically driven by human judgment.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

Twitter | LinkedIn | Bluesky

Back by demand! Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - How ZeroedIn is leveraging innovations in people analytics to help organizations make better use of data for smarter and faster decisions.

Thu, 14 Nov 2024 07:00:00 -0000

In this special episode* of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Jim Gill, CEO of ZeroedIn, delve into how his 20+ years in HR tech is driving ZeroedIn to new heights. Jim walks listeners through the evolution of HR tech, then shares how ZeroedIn’s innovative approach helps organizations make the most of data from multiple sources to gain actionable people and business insights. The conversation also highlights the importance of navigating the strict compliance needs of industries like government, healthcare, and finance.

Key points covered include:

↪️ ZeroedIn’s new analytics platform offers a 360-degree view of workforce data through seamless integration, predictive analytics, and generative AI, all while maintaining robust security and compliance.

↪️ How ZeroedIn tailors its solutions to meet customers where they are in their analytics journeys, providing the right services to ensure ROI and success, recognizing that data maturity and resources vary widely.

↪️ The ongoing challenge of consolidating data from multiple sources into usable formats, a critical hurdle for organizations of all sizes.

↪️ The value of meaningful analytics for organizations facing major workforce challenges, such as large-scale recruitment, reskilling, and preparing for demographic shifts, to make informed, cost-effective decisions.

↪️ The significance of ZeroedIn's work toward obtaining FedRAMP (Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program) authorization, crucial for organizations with high security and compliance needs.

*This episode is sponsored by ZeroedIn.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Jim Gill

ZeroedIn

HR, We Have a Problem - Building resilient teams in turbulent times.

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 16:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper along with special guests Susan Richards, Founder of Sapient Insights Group and Marc Moschetto, Founder and CEO of KickMotor, discuss the complex interplay of external global events and their impact on HR and organizational management. They explore how to better support teams through both high-stakes growth and quieter times, emphasizing the importance of empathy, flexibility, and proactive planning.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Organizations face heightened uncertainty with economic fluctuations, global events, and emerging technologies.

↪️ Adaptive leadership and open communication are critical to sustaining employee trust and engagement.

↪️ Effective change leadership requires empathy, proactive support, and consistent follow-through in actions to align with team motivations.

↪️ Embedding change management into everyday practices cultivates a culture where adaptation becomes second nature for the entire organization.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Susan Richards

Marc Moschetto

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Recent advancements in workforce planning tools and how they’re shaping organizational efficiency.

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 11:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Cliff Stevenson and Teri Zipper discuss the upcoming release of Sapient Insights Group’s 27th Annual HR Systems Survey Report, ADP's recent acquisition of Workforce Software, a new CMO at iCIMS, Paylocity's integrated headcount planning solution, and Workday’s new AI initiative, Illuminate. The conversation also touches on the complexity of accurate headcount tracking for mid-sized and large organizations, analyzing the challenges in defining "employee" amidst various workforce structures.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Sapient Insights Group is releasing its 27th Annual HR Systems Survey Report on October 31st, highlighting key industry trends.

↪️ ADP’s acquisition of Workforce Software is expected to enhance workforce planning capabilities for complex, highly regulated organizations.

↪️ Workday’s Illuminate introduces specialized AI agents for recruiting, expenses, succession, and process optimization, streamlining business operations.

↪️ Paylocity introduces an integrated headcount planning tool, enhancing workforce data centralization.

↪️ Human Resource Executive® and HR Technology Conference & Exposition® change their brands to HR Executive™ and HR Tech™, respectively.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Cliff Stevenson

Bluesky | Twitter | LinkedIn

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - How ZeroedIn is leveraging innovations in people analytics to help organizations make better use of data for smarter and faster decisions.

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 11:00:00 -0000

In this special episode* of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and guest Jim Gill, CEO of ZeroedIn, explore how his 20-plus-year career in HR-related technology is helping him take ZeroedIn to the next level. Jim first takes listeners through a quick history of learning and HR-related tech innovations. He and Stacey then discuss how ZeroedIn is “meeting customers where they’re at” through a combination of software and services to better utilize data from multiple sources for people and business insights. Throughout the conversation, Jim and Stacey emphasize the rigorous compliance requirements of government agencies, as well as those for other industry segments such as healthcare and finance.

Key points covered include:

↪️ ZeroedIn’s new analytics platform which promises customers a 360-degree view of workforce data through seamless integration of multiple data sources, predictive analytics, and generative AI – all while ensuring strict security and compliance.

↪️ The importance of “meeting customers where they’re at” in their analytics journeys and providing the supporting services to ensure actual success and return on their investments. Because people skills, resources, and data maturity vary so greatly, a one-size-fits-all approach to analytics never works.

↪️ Consolidating data from multiple sources into a usable format remains one of the biggest challenges for organizations of all sizes and types.

↪️ Meaningful analytics are especially important for those organizations with critical workforce challenges – such as recruiting large numbers of employees, reskilling workers, or preparing for major demographic shifts – in order to make smart, cost-effective decisions.

↪️ Why ZeroedIn’s work on obtaining full FedRAMP (Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program) authorization is important for organizations with high security and compliance requirements.

*This episode is sponsored by ZeroedIn.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Jim Gill

ZeroedIn

Twitter |

HR, We Have a Problem - The TRUE cost of change.

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 11:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, host Teri Zipper and leadership expert Ashley Goodall discuss the complexities of change management in organizations and its impact on employees. Ashley shares insights from his latest book, The Problem with Change, arguing that constant change, though often praised, may be detrimental to both employees and business outcomes.

Their conversation sheds light on the widening gap between employee performance and organizational transformation, highlighting the critical role of HR in championing employee needs while strategically aligning with broader business goals.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Achieving long-term sustainability requires organizations to prioritize employee well-being alongside financial success, as neglecting this balance can lead to significant challenges.

↪️ Creating a workplace environment that fosters predictability and control is crucial for enhancing employee security and sustaining productivity.

↪️ HR professionals should champion evidence-based strategies to boost performance, moving beyond a dependence on technology and external systems alone.

↪️ There remains a critical gap between performance science and its practical application in the business realm, particularly in compensation practices.

Special announcement! Without proper leadership, organizational changes can have a negative impact on employee morale, business performance, and shareholder value. That’s why we created Navigating Change with Confidence – a cohort-based, collaborative learning program. The first session gets underway in January, but you can save hundreds off the program price if you register before the end of the month. Click here to learn more.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Ashley Goodall

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - How UKG's latest innovations are transforming global payroll, compliance, and workforce management with AI-powered solutions.

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 12:00:00 -0000

In this special episode* of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and guest Jessica Griffin, Vice President of Global Product Management at UKG, give a behind-the-scenes look at UKG’s global payroll and workforce management solutions, focusing on how they serve multinational organizations. The conversation touches on the company’s recent innovations, including the expansion of their One View platform, and how global compliance is becoming a key area of focus.

Key points covered include:

↪️ UKG expands its global payroll platform, One View, to better serve multinational organizations - allowing for more efficient and compliant payroll processing across various countries.

↪️ The seamless integration of time management and payroll systems remains essential for global customers, ensuring efficiency and compliance.

↪️ UKG’s Great Place to Work Hub empowers companies to boost employee engagement and retention through data-driven insights.

↪️ AI-powered features embedded in UKG’s platforms are driving smarter solutions, particularly for small and mid-sized businesses, enhancing productivity and decision-making.

*This episode is sponsored by UKG.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Jessica Griffin

UKG

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - How data integration and AI are shaping Workday’s HR tech strategy.

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 11:00:00 -0000

In this special episode* of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris is joined by two Workday executives: David Wachtel, general manager of talent products, and Cristina Goldt, general manager of workforce management and pay. Harris and her guests discuss a wide range of topics, primarily focused around the importance of product orchestration and seamless data integration. They discuss the benefits recently acquired HiredScore brings to Workday customers, the importance of working partnerships, and examples of how AI can not only improve efficiency but offer up insights that would likely be overlooked. Given Workday’s market leadership in market share and HR tech innovation, this is an episode not to be missed.

Key points covered include:

↪️ How HiredScore is enhancing recruiting and talent processes through deep integration with Workday modules and AI support.

↪️ Examples of how AI and seamless integration are bringing “islands of information” together to help Workday customers make better people and business decisions.

↪️ Examples of how Workday Wellness, announced at Workday Rising, will use AI and robust data integration to help companies make more informed decisions about the benefit offerings most meaningful to employees.

↪️ How offerings such as Extend and Built on Workday are fostering market-wide innovation by helping partners – and customers – create new applications and further increase the business value of people data.

*This episode is sponsored by Workday.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Download the 2023-24 HR Systems Survey Report

Stacey Harris

David Wachtel

Cristina Goldt

Workday

HR, We Have a Problem - The reinvention of HR in a post-pandemic world and how to leverage AI to better understand and retain talent.

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and industry veteran Marc Miller— thought leader and adjunct professor at NYU and Manhattan College—discuss the evolving role of HR leaders in driving strategic value within organizations. The conversation also explores the importance of data storytelling and using AI to enhance employee experience, ensuring a workforce that feels valued, dignified, and connected to the company’s mission.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Marc Miller’s book, “Immortal HR”, which highlights the concept of HR’s resurrection through the lens of the fictional character, Harriet Rose Job, emphasizing how HR adapted to the challenges of COVID-19.

↪️ Predictive and prescriptive analytics offer HR the ability to not only identify trends but also act to improve future workforce outcomes.

↪️ Recognizing workforce sentiment and anticipating flight risks play a pivotal role in strengthening talent management and retention efforts.

↪️ Utilizing AI to enhance human connections in HR ensures that employees feel valued, secure, and connected within their roles.

↪️ Effective HR leaders turn data into compelling stories that senior leadership can understand and act upon.

Special announcement! As a leader, fostering a more inclusive and positive culture in a workplace of constant change is hard and messy but not impossible. In our exclusive, hands-on, in-depth, collaborative learning program, we help you break it down. Join Navigating Change with Confidence - a cohort-based immersive program launching soon. Click here to learn more.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Marc Miller

LinkedIn | Twitter

Marc S. Miller Associates

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Unpacking HR Tech 2024: Key takeaways on AI, data governance, and startup innovations.

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 12:00:00 -0000

In this special episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris along with Susan Richards, Teri Zipper, Cliff Stevenson, Summer Orellano and members of the HR Systems Strategy cohort reflect on the biggest highlights from the 2024 HR Technology Conference. The discussion covers hot topics like data governance, skills management, and AI's role in enhancing the employee experience. They also explore the rise of startups in the HR tech space and the significance of practitioner-driven Ask the Expert sessions.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Data governance emerges as a major focus with high engagement from conference attendees.

↪️ Startups showcase innovative solutions in areas like global services, benefits, and labor.

↪️ AI's potential to improve the employee experience continues to generate significant interest.

↪️ Optimizing HR technology stacks requires a deep understanding of current tools and a creative approach to integration.

If you weren’t able to attend the 2024 HR Tech Conference - no worries!

Click here to discover this year's top vendors by category and download the Free Voice of the Customer Key Findings: https://sapientinsights.com/top-vendors/

Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

Susan Richards

HR, We Have a Problem - How fundamental HR practices can “right the ship” for organizations; Nice-Pak’s grassroots approach to post-pandemic challenges.

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and guest Mike Poole, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Nice-Pak Products, Inc., discuss the importance of cohesive leadership and the significant impact of improved hiring and onboarding processes on reducing turnover. The conversation also explores reimagining performance management and aligning the workforce with broader business objectives.

Key points covered include:

↪️ How leadership alignment is crucial for cascading priorities throughout the organization and driving effective change.

↪️ The power of a robust HR agenda focusing on purpose, values, and engagement to drive performance - and leveraging existing talent through structured development plans.

↪️ How strengthening HR fundamentals can enable an organization to consider and pursue ambitious, long-term strategic goals.

↪️ New communication platforms aim to better connect frontline workers with organizational updates and resources.

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Teri Zipper

Mike Poole

Nice-Pak Products, Inc.

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech: Is Claude the new rival to ChatGPT? Breaking down the Oracle-AWS partnership, new tech acquisitions, OpenAI's 1M users, and the future of AI in business.

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson discuss the Sapient team’s role at HR Tech, along with several tech-related acquisitions and leadership updates. They also discuss the evolving role of AI in HR with a focus on how AI can be used to go beyond automating basic tasks to inform and impact strategic workforce decisions.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Sapient’s prep for HR tech is in full swing; Stacey, Teri, and Susan will all be presenting at the conference.

↪️ Oracle’s partnership with Amazon Web Services marks a significant step toward simplifying integration for cloud platforms.

↪️ OpenAI surpasses 1 million paid business users, showing rapid growth in AI adoption.

↪️ Ilya Sutskever, OpenAI’s former chief scientist and co-founder, launches a new company, Safe Superintelligence, and raises $1 billion in startup funds.

↪️ Anthropic launches Claude Enterprise with the intent of shifting AI capabilities from creative tasks to enterprise business applications.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - HR as the “bad guy” in the workplace and adopting improv’s ‘yes, and’ approach as a fresh way to deal with challenges.

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper along with guest Suzanne Lucas, famously known as the “Evil HR Lady” address the evolving challenges in HR over the past 25 years, the impact of AI on the industry, and the negative perception towards HR. Suzanne also introduces the "yes, and" approach from her improv comedy background, offering a transformative way in handling workplace challenges.

Key points covered include:

↪️ The HR landscape has evolved significantly, with new challenges such as remote work, AI, and changing employee expectations impacting practices and policies.

↪️ The growing importance of HR professionals continuously learning and obtaining certifications to enhance their skills and provide better support.

↪️ AI presents both opportunities and risks, particularly concerning bias in hiring and the potential decline of essential human skills in writing and communication.

↪️ The principles of improv comedy, like "yes, and," can be applied to HR to foster adaptability and positive problem-solving, helping HR professionals navigate organizational challenges.

↪️ Flipping the script on how CEOs and other business leaders perceive the field.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Suzanne Lucas

Evil HR Lady

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Latest tech announcements, proposed law mandating AI oversight, and a tribute to Susan Wojcicki.

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson discuss the latest announcements and partnerships impacting payroll, leave, and compensation, including those from Workday, Tilt, and Salary.com. Stacey and Cliff also talk about a proposed CA law mandating AI oversight and an interesting study on how cultural and other differences impact the expectations of HR across the globe. The hosts also remember Google exec Susan Wojcicki and her significant contributions to the tech industry.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Workday reports strong Q2 financial results and announces new strategic partnerships, including a significant collaboration with Equifax.

↪️ More news from Tilt, Salary.com and other HR tech vendors.

↪️ “Table stakes” functions such as leave management, payroll, and compensation management remain critically important, as evidenced by Sapient’s research and VC investments.

↪️ A LinkedIn post by Johannes Sundlo informs discussion about the differences in HR roles in the U.S. and Europe and the importance of aligning HR strategies with specific regional cultures.

A rundown of Sapient Insights’ presentations at HR Tech, including the big reveal of Voice of the Customer research.

Special announcement! As a leader, fostering a more inclusive and positive culture in a workplace of constant change is hard and messy but not impossible. In our in-depth, interactive learning program, we help you break it down. Join Navigating Change with Confidence, a cohort-based immersive program launching soon. Click here to learn more.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - Grief in the workplace. Developing effective communication protocols with empathy and proactive support.

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper along with Stacey Harris and guest Jason Seiden, Co-founder of Comfort Communications discuss grief in the workplace and how organizations can develop effective communication protocols to help teams support their colleagues during times of loss.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Jason shares his personal story of loss and how it inspired him to create Comfort Communications to normalize conversations around grief.

↪️ Comfort Communications provides a communication protocol, operating models, and tracking systems to help teams support grieving colleagues with empathy and efficiency.

↪️ We discuss challenges with knowing what to say and how to act when a colleague is grieving, and how missteps can lead to further distress.

↪️ We reveal the significance of a supportive culture and proactive communication strategies in helping employees navigate grief.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

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Teri Zipper

Stacey Harris

Jason Seiden

Comfort Communications

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Will the AI bubble burst soon? Analyzing the $2 trillion drop in market value, ethical AI regulations, and possible financial risks for tech buyers.

Thu, 22 Aug 2024 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson discuss the current state of AI in the market and break down the surprising drop in the AI market’s total value by $2 trillion - including its broader implications for businesses and consumers alike. The conversation touches on the role of regulation, particularly in the EU, its impact on AI usage in the workplace, and the need for a practical and measured approach to integrating AI into business operations.

HR, We Have a Problem - How to leverage strategic partnerships and technology to reimagine talent acquisition and career development.

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO and Managing Partner, Teri Zipper and guest Kim Sneeder, Managing Director at CareerCircle discuss how the CareerCircle platform uniquely supports candidates and helps organizations discover talent to build diverse, inclusive work environments.

This episode also highlights success stories of individuals who have transformed their careers leveraging CareerCircle’s strategic partnerships with major tech companies and nonprofits to create a holistic ecosystem.

Teri and Kim talk about:

↪️ Integrating upskilling with job placement, focusing on underrepresented groups such as veterans and women re-entering the workforce.

↪️ Looking at the candidate as a whole person, by considering skills, assessments, and passion projects - not just resumes - to find the best job matches.

↪️ Working with partners like major tech companies including Google, IBM, Microsoft, and Salesforce for training and certifications.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

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Teri Zipper

Kim Sneeder

CareerCircle
Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Salesforce & Workday’s bold move, UKG’s new CEO, and VC funding disparities impacting women and Black founders.

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer and Managing Partner, Stacey Harris, and Sapient Insights Group Director of Research, Cliff Stevenson, cover the successful diversity roundtable hosted at Pendo headquarters, piping hot news about the strategic partnership between Salesforce and Workday, and research findings on venture capital funding disparities.

Plus, they highlight the notable increase in participation of our 27th Annual HR Systems Survey, which received over a thousand more responses compared to the previous year.

Key points covered include:

↪️ The strategic partnership between Salesforce and Workday focuses on AI-powered employee service agents, integrating HR and financial data.

↪️ The evolving landscape of HR technology and its impact on SMBs, including notable developments from companies like Deel and ServiceNow.

↪️ Jennifer Morgan's appointment as the new CEO of UKG, outlining her vision and expected impact on the company’s future direction.

↪️ Women and Black founders face severe limitations in accessing venture capital, with 98% of VC dollars inaccessible to women - and 99.5% of those VC dollars inaccessible to Black founders.

↪️ The recently proposed rule by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to increase transparency and disclosure of fees for paycheck advance products.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - Changing the narrative by creating a workplace that prioritizes inclusivity and representation for adults with disabilities.

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 14:00:00 -0000

In this special episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO and Managing Partner, Teri Zipper and guest Lindsay Wrege, Co-Founder & CEO of 321 Coffee — a company built on creating inclusive workplaces for individuals with intellectual & developmental disabilities (IDD) — discuss the importance of diversity, inclusion, and the positive impact these values have on organizational change.

Key points covered include:

↪️ 80% of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are unemployed — 321 Coffee is working to change this by including people with IDD at the forefront of their business.

↪️ The company emphasizes the importance of representation and individuality, featuring images of team members on packaging, in social promotions, and in stores.

↪️ Faced with the pandemic's impact on retail, the business pivoted to coffee roasting and online sales to expand their reach and share their story with a broader audience.

↪️ Building on their success within the business, academic, and social communities throughout Raleigh, 321 Coffee is now ramping up speaking and consulting engagements, teaching other businesses to thrive through true inclusivity.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Lindsay Wrege

321 Coffee

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - What's happening in the HR tech market? A major surge in mergers and acquisitions, AI innovations in talent acquisition, and leadership moves.

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer and Managing Partner, Stacey Harris, and Sapient Insights Group Director of Research, Cliff Stevenson, analyze the HR tech market following a surge in mergers and acquisitions - including executive hires, and the growing role of AI in the industry.

This conversation explores how companies are leveraging AI for talent management and the innovative applications emerging from this technology.

Key points covered include:

↪️ The HR tech market experiences a surge in mergers and acquisitions, with over 100 transactions in the second quarter of 2024 — the second-highest quarterly volume in two years — driven by market slowdowns and opportunities for growth.

↪️ Michael Pawlyszyn, former SAP SuccessFactors Executive, joins Cornerstone as Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer, signaling a strategic focus on global market expansion and talent agility.

↪️ WorkerHero, a Munich-based startup, recently secured €4 million in funding for its innovative AI-based talent matching platform — a move where AI's integration focuses on enhancing, rather than replacing, human experiences.

↪️ A pressing need for robust oversight of AI-driven HR solutions to ensure they meet basic human standards and don’t make mistakes too quickly.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - You can have it all. A cost-benefit breakdown on leveraging broker relationships to navigate people, processes, and HR tech solutions in complex business environments.

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO and Managing Partner Teri Zipper and guest Holly Larson, HR Technology Consultant at USI and Content Committee Leader at The Advisor Collective, get into the huddle to discuss the nuts and bolts on how brokers can help small to mid-sized organizations navigate complex work / tech environments.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Seeking expert guidance to understand the HR technology options the best fit for unique needs.

↪️ Garnering the right expert advice and making smart decisions when customizing HR technology solutions that align with unique business environments and goals.

↪️ Assessing broker support when thinking about benefits plans, managing vendor escalations, technological upgrades, and business process alignment.

↪️ Leveraging broker relationships to manage vendor selection processes, multiple demos, and competitive pricing negotiations to solidify best-fit solutions.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Holly Larson

The Advisor Collective

USI

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - The future of job search platforms amid AI, UKG massive layoffs, and Supreme Court regulatory shifts.

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer and Managing Partner, Stacey Harris, and Sapient Insights Group Director of Research, Cliff Stevenson, discuss recent mergers and acquisitions, including moves by Bullhorn, Phenom, Monster, and CareerBuilder - and what these developments may mean for the future.

This episode also addresses the recent layoffs at UKG and the implications of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions on compliance and regulatory landscapes.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Bullhorn acquires Textkernel to enhance its AI solutions, focusing on improving resume parsing and reducing bias in the talent acquisition process.

↪️ Phenom's acquisition of Tydy strengthens its pre-boarding and onboarding solutions, aiming to provide a seamless data transfer and unified experience for new employees.

↪️ The merger between Monster and CareerBuilder, driven by controlling interests, reflects a consolidation trend in the job board market as companies seek to compete with aggregators and AI-driven solutions.

↪️ UKG’s massive layoff, where over 2,000 employees were affected globally - equating to around 14% of the workforce - as part of a larger restructuring effort, despite the company's overall strong performance.

↪️ The recent US Supreme Court overturning of the long-standing Chevron deference and the impact of various regulations, including those related to LGBTQIA+ protections and healthcare pricing.

Special announcement! As a leader, fostering more inclusive cultures in a workplace of constant change is complex but not impossible. Let us help you break it down. Join us for a hands-on, deep-dive, and collaborative learning experience: Navigating Change with Confidence - a 90-day cohort-based immersive program launching in August. Click here to learn more.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

Back by demand: HR, We Have a Problem - The stakes have never been higher for HR…fostering meaningful change, building C-suite level trust, and bridging the gaps.

Thu, 04 Jul 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Happy 4th! In case you missed the great conversation, we’re bringing back one of the highest-downloaded episodes in 2024 for our HR, We Have a Problem show. Teri Zipper, CEO and Managing Partner for Sapient Insights Group, joined by her colleague, Chief Research Officer & Managing Partner, Stacey Harris, Stacey Harris and special guest Malika Jacobs, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Myriad, got into a few hot topics on HR leadership alignment and C-suite conversations, and innovative tech solutions to foster trust in dynamic and pressured work environments.

Key points they discuss:

↪️ Increasing demands on HR leaders to navigate crisis situations and support remote workforce engagement.

↪️ Lack of alignment and trust between HR and the C-suite underscores the need for strategies to bridge this gap and enhance collaboration.

↪️ Importance of fostering curiosity and innovation within HR, advocating for solutions that simplify complex processes and support the evolving needs of an organization.

↪️ Addressing pain points such as disparate systems and lack of standardization allows HR leaders to drive meaningful change and elevate the strategic impact of their function.

↪️ The necessity for HR to align its initiatives with broader business objectives, emphasizing the importance of adopting a strategic mindset and facilitating meaningful discussions around organizational goals.

Special announcement! As a leader, fostering more inclusive cultures in a workplace of constant change is complex but not impossible. Let us help you break it down. Join us for an exclusive, hands-on, in-depth, collaborative learning experience: Navigating Change with Confidence - a 90-day cohort-based immersive program launching in August. Click here to learn more.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Stacey Harris

Malika Jacobs

Myriad

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Spilling the Tea on major industry acquisitions and the implications of NDA and non-competes in HR tech.

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer and Managing Partner, Stacey Harris, and Sapients Insights Group Director of Research, Cliff Stevenson, discuss notable acquisitions shaping the HR landscape, including SAP's strategic acquisition of WalkMe and ClearCompany's acquisition of Brainier.

They also share exciting updates for Sapient Insights Group, including the final days of participation in the Annual HR System Survey, upcoming webinars, and our immersive educational series.

Key points covered include:

↪️ SAP's acquisition of WalkMe highlights the importance of adoption platforms and integrating user experience data.

↪️ ClearCompany acquires Brainier, enhancing talent management with specialized learning solutions.

↪️ Visier's research highlights AI's role in democratizing data access, enabling managers to make better decisions and optimize time management.

↪️ Rippling prevents former employees working at competitors from participating in a private stock sale, signaling a more competitive stance within the HR tech industry.

↪️ Data from a Harvard study reveals significant benefits of occasional return-to-office events for work-from-home employees, emphasizing the impact of remote work policies on employee communication and collaboration.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - The Impact of economic shifts, the pandemic, and AI advancements on women in the workforce and how bridging the gap in tech can empower future female leaders.

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 15:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO and Managing Partner, Teri Zipper and guest Jess Von Bank, Global Leader, HR Transformation & Technology Advisory at Mercer, explore how technological innovation, particularly advancements in AI, disproportionately affect women. This discussion also touches on unique challenges and opportunities for women in tech, including the role of mentorship and empowerment programs in developing future female leaders.

Key points covered include:

↪️ The importance of educating people about AI's role in transforming tasks rather than eliminating jobs to alleviate fear.

↪️ Advocating for inclusive AI adoption and education within organizations to ensure all employees, especially underrepresented groups, can benefit and thrive.

↪️ The need to prioritize human outcomes in AI design, ensuring that technology empowers and protects individuals before considering business benefits.

↪️ Encouraging the development of future female leaders by exposing them to diverse opportunities and nurturing problem-solving skills.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Jess Von Bank

Mercer

Diverse Daisies

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - The hidden risks of “hallucinations” in AI and the importance of context; plus breaking news on key industry moves.

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer and Managing Partner, Stacey Harris, and Sapients Insights Group Director of Research, Cliff Stevenson, discuss groundbreaking advancements from Visier, 15Five and SAP, sharing their new initiatives aimed at enhancing people analytics and performance management. They also cover important regulatory changes, key mergers and acquisitions, and feature insightful articles from industry experts.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Visier introduces "Open for Builders" and AI agents to enhance customization and decision-making in people analytics.

↪️ 15Five, with its newest innovation, focuses on business impact by providing tools for executive-level insights, linking performance metrics to business goals.

↪️ SAP's significant AI capabilities, including partnerships with Google Cloud, Meta, and NVIDIA to enhance compensation and business models.

↪️ Humanly acquires Teamable to improve the recruiting process with innovative technology.

↪️ The prevalence of "hallucinations" — incorrect information derived from AI systems — underscores the importance of understanding context and judgment.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - The evolving landscape of performance management and the latest AI-powered tools to create positive change in employee performance, engagement and retention, support managers and connect it all to business impact.

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 15:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO and Managing Partner Teri Zipper and guest Dr. Jeff Smith, Chief Product Officer at 15Five — the strategic performance management platform designed to boost employee engagement, performance and retention. They discuss the relationship between business performance and employee performance at a time when HR leaders are being asked to deliver a bigger impact for the business. They explore the challenges and opportunities HR teams face, the importance of goal-setting, and continuous feedback in fostering high-performing teams and engaged employees.

Key points covered include:

↪️ The importance of continuous performance management, including frequent check-ins, real-time feedback, and one-on-one recognition.

↪️ How to set goals that align with organizational objectives while fostering individual growth and employee satisfaction.

↪️ Strategies for managers to identify signs of disengagement beyond annual surveys and practical advice on maintaining employee engagement through regular, supportive interactions.

↪️ The critical role of managers in providing individualized support and holding them accountable for their team's performance and engagement.

↪️ Highlights from 15Five’s recent platform evolution announced this week, including a rich new set of features that position the platform as a strategic command center for HR leaders to leverage data for enhanced performance, engagement, and retention.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Jeff Smith

15Five

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - The skinny on tech layoffs, leading with real-time data vs. the trickle-down effect of decisions made with the latest economic indicators and transforming workforce management through AI.

Thu, 30 May 2024 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer and Managing Partner Stacey Harris and Sapients Insights Group Director of Research Cliff Stevenson discuss the latest trends and innovations in HR technology - highlighting the strategic implications of recent acquisitions by major HR tech companies, including innovative approaches they are taking to integrate AI across various platforms to enhance career management, workforce efficiency, and user experiences.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Cornerstone shifts from a single large event to multiple regional events, launching the new Cornerstone Galaxy for integrated skills and talent management.

↪️ Meta discontinues Workplace, transitioning customers to Zoom's WorkVivo to focus on AI and metaverse technologies.

↪️ Cornerstone acquires Skyhive to enhance its talent intelligence capabilities, integrating extensive external and internal data for better talent matching and mobility.

↪️ Companies like Visier and Crosschq are creating bespoke AI and analytics solutions that integrate diverse data sources, improving HR and business outcomes.

↪️ Major HR tech players like SAP and Phenom are investing heavily in user experience, combining AI advancements with intuitive design to meet the needs of a global, remote workforce.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - Emerging HR tech trends focused on problem-solving over product demonstrations.

Thu, 23 May 2024 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO and Managing Partner, Teri Zipper welcomes guest Nov Omana, Founder of Collective HR Solutions and Technology Review Council (TRC) — a platform that showcases emerging HR tech startups and provides valuable feedback to vendors. This discussion explores Nov’s extensive experience in the HR tech space, shedding light on the importance of providing a forum for emerging vendors to highlight their solutions and engage with potential clients.

Key points covered include:

↪️ TRC shifts the focus from merely showcasing products to vendors articulating how their solutions solve specific HR challenges.

↪️ Through active participation during presentations, attendees provide real-time feedback, fostering a collaborative exchange of ideas and insights for vendors.

↪️ The council encompasses a diverse range of HR tech solutions from pre-boarding and onboarding tools to termination programs, offering attendees a comprehensive look into emerging HR technologies.

↪️ The growing importance of HR leveraging technology to enhance employee experiences, improve productivity, and drive organizational success.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Nov Omana

Collective HR Solutions

Back by demand: Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Employee engagement and the ethics of leveraging AI to improve workplace wellness.

Thu, 16 May 2024 13:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer and Managing Partner, Stacey Harris, and Sapients Insights Group Director of Research, Cliff Stevenson, welcome special guest Dr. Jarik Conrad, Vice President of Human Insights and Executive Director of Workforce Institute at UKG.

Dr. Jarik shares more on his role as Executive Director of Workforce Institute at UKG, significant megatrends shaping the future of work, and he also highlights how AI can be leveraged to enhance productivity and improve employee well-being and organizational effectiveness.

Key points covered include:

↪️ The need for a tailored approach to employee engagement and support, moving away from a one-size-fits-all model.

↪️ AI presents an opportunity to enhance productivity and employee well-being, but ethical considerations and a people-first approach are crucial.

↪️ Emotional intelligence, health and wellness, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) are central to creating a positive workplace culture and addressing the holistic needs of employees.

↪️ The need for organizations to shift from promises to action in order to maintain credibility and avoid long-term losses.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

Dr. Jarik Conrad

Dive deeper into the insights discussed in this episode by exploring Dr. Jarik Conrad's thought-provoking book, "In Search of Humanity: Why We Fight, How to Stop, and the Role Business Must Play," available now wherever fine books are sold.

HR, We Have a Problem - In this episode, Teri and her guest, Christine Albert, talk about the complexity of defining the evolving role of a CXO in organizations today and the diverse business goals they are expected to achieve.

Thu, 09 May 2024 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO and Managing Partner Teri Zipper and guest Christine Albert, Founder of Adams Street Consulting and former Chief Experience Officer (CXO) at LCMC Health, discuss the collaboration between marketing and HR - exploring the nuances of bridging the gap between these two crucial functions. The conversation underscores that aligning marketing and HR strategies can enhance customer and employee experiences, ultimately driving business success.

Key points covered include:

↪️ The emerging CXO role is nascent and varies across organizations, necessitating a tailored approach to its implementation and execution.

↪️ Aligning marketing and HR functions can enhance customer and employee experiences, driving business results.

↪️ Implementing a cohesive brand strategy can unify disparate organizational identities, fostering clarity and consistency in messaging.

↪️ Recruitment marketing and onboarding processes are vital in attracting and retaining talent, focusing on providing a seamless and engaging experience for candidates and new hires.

↪️ The strategic integration of marketing and HR leads to impactful business results, including increased hiring and cost savings.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Christine Albert

LCMC Health

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech: Cliff and Stacey weigh in from the conference circuit on industry top leadership moves, new partnerships, and intriguing AI tech roll-outs.

Thu, 02 May 2024 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer and Managing Partner Stacey Harris and Sapients Insights Group Director of Research Cliff Stevenson discuss the latest AI developments in HR tech, particularly UKG's appointment of a new president and Paycor's utilization of Visier's AI technology for analytical insights. This episode also touches on Workday's approach to AI governance and the balance between risk and opportunity in HR applications.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Special announcements on the successful launch of Sapient’s new virtual cohort-based program on Building an HR Systems Strategy, along with key insights from their conference circuit travels.

↪️ UKG names Rachel Barger as President of their go-to-market, signaling a strategic move towards enhancing their go-to-market strategies.

↪️ Paycor’s rollout of Visier's AI technology for analytical insights and improved help tools to enhance data retrieval, including natural language processing.

↪️ eQ8 introduces new AI-driven strategic workforce planning solutions, addressing non-standard models and organizations’ unique and broader data needs.

↪️ Workday's adoption of a "one data model" approach stresses its commitment to AI integration and differentiation in the market.

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Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - Stabilizing teams in high-change environments as a competitive advantage.

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 09:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO and Managing Partner Teri Zipper gets into the huddle with industry veteran and guest Carolyn Troyan, President and CEO of Leadership 360 — an HR consulting and leadership coaching firm specializing in customized support for individuals and organizations. This conversation tackles strategies for fostering team effectiveness, common characteristics of high-performing teams, and the role of leadership in promoting collaboration and trust.

Key points covered include:

↪️ High-performing teams often display vulnerability-based trust, engage in productive conflict, and demonstrate commitment to shared goals.

↪️ Autonomy and accountability are key attributes of effective teams, fostering creativity, trust, and shared responsibility.

↪️ Encouraging vulnerability and sharing experiences can cultivate a culture of trust and collaboration within teams.

↪️ Leaders play a crucial role in modeling vulnerability, facilitating open dialogue, and empowering team members to take ownership of team effectiveness.

↪️ The importance of constructive conflict resolution can lead to more innovative ideas and stronger team dynamics, provided it is handled respectfully and with a focus on problem-solving.

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Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Carolyn Troyan

Leadership 360

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Future proofing HR: Navigating vendor acquisitions, skill prioritization, and AI impact on workforce dynamics.

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 14:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer and Managing Partner, Stacey Harris, and Sapients Insights Group Director of Research, Cliff Stevenson, talk about the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its implications for the workforce and innovation. They also address the evolving conversation around human capital metrics and employee well-being.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Vendor acquisitions, such as Deel's acquisition of Zavvy, underscore the shifting priorities of HR technology vendors towards catering to the varied requirements of modern workforces.

↪️ Insights from the World Economic Forum’s and PwC’s report on prioritizing skills development and lifelong learning in the workforce.

↪️ The importance of human capital metrics is gaining recognition, with organizations realizing the value of prioritizing employee wellbeing alongside financial returns.

↪️ Repercussions of vendor dynamics on HR operations, considering the effects of vendor shutdowns and disruptions on employee benefits and recognition programs.

↪️ Growing concerns about AI's impact on job security, citing anecdotal evidence of shifting perceptions and the need for proactive discussions to address workforce implications.

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Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - The pivotal role of HR technologists in navigating technological advancements, building communities, and solving complex problems in HR.

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 14:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO and Managing Partner, Teri Zipper speaks with guest Dr. Dennis Hill, Chairman of the Board and CEO at the International Association For Human Resource Information Management (IHRIM), a global leader in advancing HR technology since 1980. Their conversation touches on the history and evolution of HR technology, exploring its growth, development, and the challenges HR professionals face today.

Key points covered include:

↪️ HR technology has evolved from its early days of personnel management to a strategic focus on people, driving the need for organizations like IHRIM to bridge the gap between HR and IT.

↪️ The pandemic accelerated the adoption of technology, prompting HR departments to rethink their people strategies and embrace new technologies like remote work solutions and data-driven analytics.

↪️ HR technologists are crucial in solving contemporary challenges such as wellness programs, remote work accommodations, and integrating emerging technologies like AI and collaborative robotics into HR practices.

↪️ CHROs and HR leaders must recognize the strategic importance of HR technology and foster collaboration between HR and IT teams to drive innovation and effectively address evolving workforce needs.

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Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Dr. Dennis Hill

IHRIM

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - The long view of balancing AR/VR technological advancements with a human-centric approach in HR.

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 15:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer and Managing Partner, Stacey Harris, and Sapients Insights Group Director of Research, Cliff Stevenson, explore recent news in HR technology partnerships and innovation. They tackle the implications of strategic partnerships between industry giants Workday and Insperity, the rise of AI-driven HR solutions, and the growing skills gap in AI talent.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Workday's collaboration with Insperity marks a strategic shift towards targeting small and mid-sized businesses, signaling potential changes in HR technology dynamics.

↪️ The acquisition of Talespin by Cornerstone highlights the growing importance of immersive learning technologies, such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), in enhancing workforce training and development.

↪️ Borderless AI's launch from stealth with a $27 million investment signals a new frontier in AI-powered HR assistance.

↪️ The skills gap in AI talent, especially in regions like India, poses challenges and opportunities for organizations seeking to leverage AI-driven HR solutions.

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Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - The stakes have never been higher for HR…fostering meaningful change, building C-suite level trust, and bridging the gaps.

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 14:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO and Managing Partner, Teri Zipper along with Sapient Insights Group, Chief Research Officer & Managing Partner Stacey Harris welcomes guest Malika Jacobs, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Myriad — a daily technology platform that assists HR leaders in strategizing, planning, and communicating with executive stakeholders. This discussion explores the challenges faced by HR professionals, the dynamics between HR and executive leadership, and the need for innovative solutions to support HR functions.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Increasing demands on HR leaders to navigate crisis situations and support remote workforce engagement.

↪️ Lack of alignment and trust between HR and the C-suite underscores the need for strategies to bridge this gap and enhance collaboration.

↪️ Importance of fostering curiosity and innovation within HR, advocating for solutions that simplify complex processes and support the evolving needs of the organization.

↪️ Addressing pain points such as disparate systems and lack of standardization allows HR leaders to drive meaningful change and elevate the strategic impact of their function.

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Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Stacey Harris

Malika Jacobs

Myriad

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Hot week! Notable acquisitions, spotlighting women in leadership, and why cohort-based learning is on fire.

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 15:00:00 -0000

In celebration of International Women's Day, this episode also explores recent stories highlighting women in leadership roles, analyzing broader industry trends, and the ongoing debate over all-in-one talent solutions.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Workday's acquisition of HiredScore signals a strategic move beyond Human Resource Management Software (HRMS) solutions into talent acquisition technology.

↪️ isolved expands its leadership with strategic hires, signaling potential shifts towards upmarket expansion.

↪️ Culture Amp's appointment of global workplace thought leader Esther Perel as an advisor suggests a strategic focus on enhancing organizational culture and employee engagement.

↪️ Deel's expansion into payroll services reflects a trend of HR tech companies broadening their offerings to meet evolving customer needs.

↪️ Legislative changes, such as New York's social media law, underscore the need for HR professionals to stay updated on compliance issues and adapt accordingly.

↪️ The concept behind Sapient’s launch of a brand new immersive cohort-based program on Building an HR Systems Strategy That Works

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Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - Connecting data governance and data privacy in HR to shape a seamless employee experience.

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 11:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO and Managing Partner Teri Zipper talks with guest Danielle Bushen, Global Head of People Analytics, Data Governance, and Stewardship at Sanofi, a global pharmaceutical and healthcare company. Their conversation touches on the strategy behind data privacy and governance, data-driven decision-making, and end-to-end process integrations.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

↪️ Prioritizing data governance as a strategic imperative informs HR’s decision-making and organizational effectiveness.

↪️ By integrating data governance principles into all processes ensures seamless operations and elevated employee experiences.

↪️ Embracing AI’s potential means HR must prioritize data quality and hygiene to mitigate risks associated with biased or inaccurate predictions.

↪️ Establishing data governance councils and fostering cross-functional collaboration is essential to ensure alignment, accountability, and effective data management across the organization.

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Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Danielle Bushen

Sanofi

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - The national spotlight on AI safety, transparency and organizational trust turns to Washington + new developments in acquisitions in payroll and talent management solutions.

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 15:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer and Managing Partner, Stacey Harris, and Sapients Insights Group Director of Research, Cliff Stevenson, discuss crucial topics surrounding AI and its implications for HR, platform enhancements, and upcoming industry events. Their conversation turns to broader AI safety concerns addressed by the current administration, highlighting the significance of transparency and trust in leadership.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Recent shifts within OpenAI and Great Place to Work highlight the importance of trust and transparency in organizational leadership.

↪️ Claro's AI-powered labor market reports offer valuable external data for workforce planning, presenting complex data in a user-friendly format to assist decision-making processes.

↪️ The establishment of the AI Safety Institute Consortium (AISIC) signifies a significant step towards ensuring AI safety and ethics in various sectors, including HR.

↪️ Updates regarding platform enhancements and new payroll rollouts showcase efforts towards enhancing user experience and functionality, as seen in Ramco and HiBob.

↪️ AI's role in streamlining content creation and distribution challenges traditional journalism standards, raising concerns about the potential compromise of journalistic integrity.

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Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - The shared responsibility between HR and marketing to build a better employee experience.

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 13:00:00 -0000

In this special episode* of HR, We Have a Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO and Managing Partner Teri Zipper engages in a lively discussion with Celia Fleischaker, Chief Marketing Officer at isolved, about the evolving relationship between marketing and HR and the employee experience. From an employer’s brand to recruitment marketing to HR’s reputation, there is more HR and marketing crossover than ever before. They explore the shifting dynamics of organizational silos, the impact of employee experience on business outcomes, and the collaborative efforts between marketing and HR in driving a better workplace culture.

Key points include:

↪️ How shared responsibility between marketing and HR fosters a holistic approach to enhancing the employee experience, leveraging cross-functional strengths to drive positive organizational outcomes.

↪️ Why an organization's brand is pivotal in attracting and retaining talent, necessitating HR's involvement in communicating and reinforcing the brand proposition to applicants and employees.

↪️ When prioritizing employee experience results in tangible benefits like improved retention, customer experience, and strengthening the organization's brand proposition.

↪️ Why the ethical deployment of AI to enhance the employee experience can also address job insecurity concerns.

*This episode is sponsored by isolved.

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Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Celia Fleischaker

isolved

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - HR’s role in supporting employee well-being and breaking HR tech news.

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 15:00:00 -0000

In this Spilling the Tea on HR Tech episode, Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer and Managing Partner Stacey Harris and Sapients Insights Group Director of Research Cliff Stevenson discuss upcoming events, including the Oracle Application Summit and the Workday Innovation Summit. The hosts also announced a new cohort-based immersive program launched by Sapient Insights Group called "Building an Adaptable HR System Strategy" - a six-month virtual series starting this spring.

HR, We Have a Problem - Aligning HR initiatives with core business objectives to cultivate a dynamic environment.

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 15:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO and Managing Partner Teri Zipper speaks with guest Scott Mason, Founder and CEO of Life’s Work Associates and an expert in HR leadership. Drawing on his 25-year journey in running global leadership and development consultancies, Scott shares insights about the evolution of HR practices and the critical role of HR in driving organizational success through constant change. This episode emphasizes the importance of strategic partnerships between HR and business leaders to navigate challenges effectively.

Key points covered:

↪️ Moving beyond compliance - HR must be seen as a strategic partner in organizational decision-making to keep pace in today’s complex business environment.

↪️ Leveraging data analytics to inform decision-making and strategic planning in HR practices.

↪️ Cultivating a collaborative culture cross-functionally to foster organizational innovation, problem-solving, and agility.

↪️ Aligning HR activities to core business objectives for efficient resource allocation and achieving key goals.

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Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Scott Mason

Life’s Work Associates

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Consumer privacy takes center stage as the HR world turns in a complex landscape of regulatory shifts, technology, and compliance questions.

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 16:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer and Managing Partner Stacey Harris, along with Sapients Insights Group Director of Research Cliff Stevenson, discuss the latest industry trends and partnerships shaking up the HR landscape from leading companies such as Ceridian, Plum, and Degreed. They dive into recent acquisitions and survey findings and offer high-level insights about the future of HR technology and compliance.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Degreed's partnership with BetterUp highlights the growing importance of coaching and mentoring in today's learning and development landscape.

↪️ Donald Taylor's video on the L&D Global Sentiment Survey emphasizes the significance of contextualizing learning initiatives and staying attuned to evolving trends.

↪️ One Model's survey results underscore the growing prominence of people analytics conferences, with the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) Chicago topping the list, indicative of the industry's focus on data-driven HR strategies.

↪️ Ceridian's acquisition of eloomi and Mitratech's acquisition of Syntrio and Mineral demonstrate a strategic focus on expanding learning and compliance capabilities within HR technology platforms.

↪️ The proliferation of state-level consumer privacy laws presents a complex challenge for HR, necessitating meticulous attention to data handling and compliance within varied regulatory frameworks.

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Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - A call to action for HR practitioners and the critical career balance between soft and hard skills in today’s modern workplace.

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 15:00:00 -0000

In the newest episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO and Managing Partner Teri Zipper with multi-hyphenate guest Fermin Diez — C-Suite Leader, a Top HR Influencer in Asia, Board Director, Speaker, Adjunct professor, and Consultant — discuss the fundamental skills essential for a successful HR career, emphasizing the critical balance between soft and hard skills. The conversation highlights the importance of meshing empathy, understanding, and rapport with the ability to drive hard results that contribute to a company's growth and profitability.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Recognition of the importance of factors like diversity, equity, and inclusion, which may not have an immediate, measurable ROI but are crucial for the overall well-being of the workforce.

↪️ HR professionals should grasp financial concepts and accounting principles to comprehend how a company makes money and translate soft variables into tangible business results.

↪️ Transforming HR practices to align with business goals by focusing on measurable outcomes, such as yield improvement in manufacturing.

↪️ The role of analytics and AI in HR functions to seize the opportunity to leverage technology to optimize processes and deliver more strategic value to the business.

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Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Fermin Diez

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Emerging trends in skills management and the evolution of employee-employer relationships, and other 2024 predictions.

Thu, 25 Jan 2024 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer and Managing Partner, Stacey Harris, and Sapients Insights Group Director of Research, Cliff Stevenson, sit down with special guest Dr. Jarik Conrad, Vice President of Human Insights and Executive Director of Workforce Institute at UKG, to discuss his role and new initiatives. This thought-provoking conversation also covers the importance of understanding the complexities of the employee-employer relationship and predictions for 2024.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Evolving dynamics of the employer-employee relationship and the risk of a one-size-fits-all approach.

↪️ The strategic HR professional and leveraging AI’s automation of mundane tasks.

↪️ Challenges and opportunities HR faces in the age of AI, highlighting HR's pivotal role in voicing ethical considerations.

↪️ Exciting opportunities at UKG, including hiring a lead economist to enhance their understanding of the labor market and its potential impact.

↪️ 2024 is crucial for organizations to differentiate themselves and the importance of translating promises into actions.

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Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

Dr. Jarik Conrad

HR, We Have a Problem - The dichotomy of HR compliance - a delicate balance and pace to manage innovation and foundational needs.

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 13:00:00 -0000

In the latest episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO and Managing Partner Teri Zipper and guest Mark Stelzner, Founder and Managing Principal at IA, reflect on the timeless struggle of managing compliance, emphasizing the need to make decisions before fully understanding the consequences. Their conversation takes an interesting turn to the idea that compliance serves as either a distraction or an accelerant for HR functions globally.

Key points include:

↪️ Challenges in HR surrounding roles, responsibilities, accountability, awareness, consumption, deployment, influence, lobbying, and disagreement.

↪️ Complexities faced by small and large businesses as they adapt to the evolving nature of work brought about by the rise of remote work and global expansion.

↪️ The strain on HR to keep pace with the relentless changes and shifting risk tolerances within organizations.

↪️ Increasing reliance on third-party providers for monitoring compliance and the challenge of finding the right partners and ensuring accountability is not entirely outsourced.

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Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Mark Stelzner

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - How notable events in 2023 could shape an exciting 2024 in HR tech.

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 07:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer and Managing Partner, Stacey Harris and Sapients Insights Group Director of Research, Cliff Stevenson kick off the new year with a reflective look back at the notable events and trends in HR tech from 2023 - including the unique stories and developments that shaped the industry.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Ongoing layoffs in the gaming and technology industries underscore dynamic challenges within HR tech, emphasizing the need for effective responses to layoffs, innovation, ethics, and regulations.

↪️ The swift progression from EOC guidelines in March to President Biden signing an extensive AI executive order in October showcasing the rapid pace of developments in the tech space.

↪️ Live events make a comeback, signaling positive energy, more client interactions, and a revived sense of community in the HR tech space.

↪️ Sapient’s 55 by 25 Challenge to the HR community sees significant success in this year’s survey findings, marked by a 4% increase, reaching a milestone of 50% of organizations recognized as strategic partners.

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Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - In the evolution of HR activating Performance Enablement is a flipside to traditional performance management.

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 13:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO and Managing Partner Teri Zipper and guest Jamie Aitken, Betterworks Vice President of HR Transformation, discuss the transformation of traditional performance management into a more dynamic and impactful process known as "Performance Enablement."

Key points covered include:

↪️ Continuous Conversations: Performance Enablement advocates for ongoing, regular conversations between employees and managers throughout the year, facilitating a more proactive approach to addressing challenges.

↪️ Shift from Process to Outcome: The need for a shift from fixating on the completion of performance management forms to achieving desired business outcomes and aligning with organizational goals.

↪️ Strategic Evolution of HR with AI: The traditional silos within HR, dedicated to specific processes like recruitment or learning, are challenged, emphasizing the importance of

positioning AI to provide comprehensive perspectives.

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Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Jamie Aitken

Betterworks

Holiday re-post of one of our most popular episodes! - Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - The transformative power of AI, innovations in wellness, and the allure of celebrity voice technology.

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 07:00:00 -0000

In this prior episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech host and Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer & Managing Partner Stacey Harris, along with co-host and Director of Research Cliff Stevenson, discuss AI's influence on work life, share updates on cutting-edge HR analytics platforms, navigate the changing landscape of HR benefits and wellness and explore the world of voice technology featuring familiar celebrity voices.

Here are a few episode highlights:

↪️ One Model secures $41 million to expand its people analytics capabilities, focusing on data-driven decision-making and integrations.

↪️ Artifact's news app takes a creative spin with AI text-to-speech voices featuring celebrities like Snoop Dogg and Gwyneth Paltrow.

↪️ Alight introduces Alight Worklife, an employee experience platform designed for mobile self-service, wellness, and an AI-powered chatbot.

↪️ The complexities of generational shifts and the pivotal importance of understanding the unique context of workers' lives.

Don’t miss this exciting episode! Follow the hosts, companies mentioned, and articles they discuss below:

Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

One Model lands $41M to bring data science-powered insights to HR

Alight expands engagement experience with latest release of Alight Worklife®

Ceridian Offers New Tiered Approach to Dayforce Managed Payroll

News app Artifact adds AI text-to-speech voices, including Snoop Dogg and Gwyneth Paltrow

HR, We Have a Problem - Building strategic value by bridging the gap between HR and Finance - critical functions of any organization.

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 09:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO and Managing Partner Teri Zipper and guest James Williams, Co-Founder and Lead CFO of Next Level Financial, take a deeper dive into the relationship between HR and finance - and the need for regular communication, shared goals - and connecting on critical HR initiatives.

Key points covered include:

↪️ While finance and supply chain are viewed positively, HR hovers at around 50%, prompting an engaging discussion on the historical perception of HR as a compliance-focused function.

↪️ The evolution of the CFO role, drawing parallels to HR's potential transformation and the idea of leveraging data to provide strategic insights to key organizational functions.

↪️ The importance of understanding different personalities within an organization and employing tools such as a DISC assessment to support internal communication and collaboration.

↪️ The positive correlation between strategic HR practices and organizational outcomes and the need for HR leaders to share and report on metrics regularly.

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Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

James Williams

Next Level Financial

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - At the intersection of accessibility, diversity, and analytics in an era of remote work | Canada takes on AI with Bill 149.

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 08:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer and Managing Partner, Stacey Harris, and Sapients Insights Group Director of Research, Cliff Stevenson, kick off the episode on the significance of International Person with Disabilities Day and the intersection of accessibility, diversity, and analytics in a work-from-home era. The episode delves into Canadian developments, dissecting Bill 149's provisions on AI transparency and its potential impact on pay transparency and equity.

Key points covered include:

↪️ International Person with Disabilities Day and its complexities in a remote work environment, emphasizing the need for accessibility and diversity in HR tech.

↪️ The implications of Bill 149 in Ontario, including provisions on AI transparency in job postings and the connection to global trends in pay transparency and equity.

↪️ Walmart Canada's AI tool, "My Assistant," is highlighted as a valuable self-service tool. McDonald’s collaboration with Google on the AI chatbot "Ask Pickles" is discussed in the context of learning and development for restaurant workers.

↪️ Stacey and Cliff’s takes on WorkLeap's acquisition of Pingboard, Sage's focus on simplifying absence requests with Microsoft Teams, and updates from SAP SuccessFactors, Workday, and Namely in an ever-evolving HR technology landscape.

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Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

HR, We Have a Problem - Beyond borders: exploring HR practices, tech innovation across diverse regions, and the need for a global perspective.

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 08:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO and Managing Partner Teri Zipper and guest Thomas Otter, General Partner at Acadian Ventures, discuss

the often-overlooked realm of HR in emerging markets, shedding light on the unique challenges and innovations taking place outside the United States. With a focus on diverse regions like Africa, Europe, and Asia, the conversation aims to uncover the global trends shaping HR practices.

Key points covered include:

↪️ The growing global audience of HR-related podcasts, the focus on exploring HR trends in emerging markets beyond the U.S., and the need for a nuanced understanding of these diverse regions.

↪️ Thomas Otter shares his extensive HR technology career across South Africa, Germany, and the UK - including his former SAP product head turned investor role and insights into his transition and commitment to exploring opportunities in emerging markets.

↪️ Kenya's mobile app M-Pesa, which serves as a multifunctional tool for financial transactions, further highlights technological advancements’ impact in emerging markets.

↪️ The importance of adapting HR solutions for frontline workers in emerging markets, leveraging platforms like WhatsApp for communications and recruitment.

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Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Thomas Otter

Acadian Ventures

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Balancing innovation and responsibility amid global AI legislation - will it help?

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 13:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer and Managing Partner, Stacey Harris, and Sapients Insights Group Director of Research, Cliff Stevenson, discuss breaking national news on Sam Altman's testimony in Congress, global AI legislation, and updates on new partnerships. The conversation turns to the changing dynamics of the HR technology landscape, with insights from Stacey on her recent trip to Barcelona for Workday Rising EMEA.

Key points they cover:

↪️ Insights from the Workday Rising EMEA event in Barcelona, exploring the increased focus on skills management and Workday's partnership with Accenture.

↪️ A discussion on the global landscape of AI legislation and the impact of regulations on the development and deployment of AI technologies, emphasizing the need for a balance between innovation and responsibility.

↪️ The collaboration between ADP and Convera is dissected, with a focus on global payroll and how it facilitates secure and compliant cross-border transactions between businesses.

↪️ Infor's move to offer on-demand pay through its partnership with DailyPay, emphasizing the growing importance of this feature in addressing employees' financial needs.

↪️ Chrono.tech's LaborX platform, exploring the potential of blockchain in providing a secure and decentralized environment for global recruitment.

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Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

Back by demand - HR, We Have a Problem - AI compliance, zero-touch processing and the critical role of payroll governance.

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 10:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO & Managing Partner, Teri Zipper, and guest GxT Advisors Founder & Principal Analyst, Pete Tiliakos, get into the huddle and discuss prevalent misunderstandings and intricacies related to payroll transformation. The conversation also sheds light on the necessity for payroll to secure a prominent seat at the decision-making table, emphasizing its critical role in the broader organizational landscape.

Some key points they discuss:

↪️ AI and machine learning are already streamlining traditional payroll processes, eliminating manual tasks, and paving the way for more strategic roles within the payroll domain.

↪️ The ability of AI to process and interpret vast amounts of legal information ensures practitioners stay ahead of compliance changes, providing valuable insights for payroll professionals.

↪️ The future of payroll involves a move towards zero-touch processing, with continuous calculations, on-demand pay, and AI-driven anomaly detection, creating a seamless payroll experience.

↪️ The integration of various financial wellness tools, on-demand pay solutions, and open banking APIs is creating an interconnected ecosystem around employee pay, offering a dynamic and personalized payroll experience.

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Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Pete Tiliakos

Linkedin | Twitter

GxT Advisors

LinkedIn | Twitter

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Buckle up! For a rapid fire conversation on ADP's move into construction, Docebo's AI power play, and the EY-IBM AI revolution - to name a few.

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 11:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer and Managing Partner, Stacey Harris, and Sapients Insights Group Director of Research, Cliff Stevenson, share insights on a range of topics including the global expansion of UKG, AI's impact on healthcare and large language models and the the collaboration between EY and IBM in AI automation services for HR processes is explored.

The hosts also explore ADP's strategic venture into the construction industry and discuss Docebo's acquisition of Edugo.ai, emphasizing the significance of AI-driven learning technology. Finally, the episode concludes with a lightning round covering diverse HR tech news, including the Atlas and Coursera's partnership, LinkedIn CRM Connect, and OpenAI's developer event.

Here's a snapshot of key takeaways:

↪️ UKG’s multi-national global expansion: UKG's strategic expansion, focusing on multinational organizations and industry-specific conversations. How service delivery, updated service models, and industry-specific partnerships positions UKG as a key player in the global HR tech market.

↪️ ADP's venture into construction space: ADP's noteworthy move into the construction industry with a specialized HCM solution highlights the unique HR challenges faced by construction businesses, emphasizing ADP's potential to address compliance, union management, and job costing in this sector.

↪️ Docebo's acquisition of Edugo.ai: Docebo's recent acquisition of Edugo.ai, an AI-driven learning technology underscores the significance of integrating AI into the Docebo platform, particularly in the context of content creation and its potential impact on the learning and development space.

↪️ EY and IBM collaboration on AI: The partnership between EY and IBM aims to guide organizations in effectively embedding AI, combining IBM's Watson technology with EY's workforce-centric services to navigate the ever-evolving AI landscape.

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Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

People mentioned

Dan Beck

Jamy Conrad

Anne Fulton

Holger Mueller

HR, We Have a Problem - How to Build an Adaptive Workforce

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 08:00:00 -0000

https://forms.workday.com/en-us/whitepapers/contingent-workforce-management-key-to-adaptive-hr-strategy/form.html?step=step1_default

In this special episode* of HR, We Have a Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO and Managing Partner Teri Zipper, along with Sapient Insights Group Director of Research Cliff Stevenson, welcome guest Kerry Kiley, Head of Extended Workforce Program Management at Workday, to discuss the significance of adapting to the modern global workforce and the rising number of contingent workers in today's competitive and complex talent landscape.

Their conversation touches on the significant headwinds managers continue to face due to pressures like remote work, the great resignation, and the impact of AI while providing unique perspectives on how organizations are expanding their use of extended workforce programs to leverage this growing segment of the workforce strategically.

Key points they talk about:

↪️ How companies are expanding their use of contingent labor to address shrinking talent pools, skill gaps, support innovation, and enhance workforce flexibility as a short and long-term talent management strategy.

↪️ The cross-functional collaboration to effectively manage contingent labor should include HR, procurement, finance, and IT as a holistic talent strategy.

↪️ Acknowledging and supporting HR’s central role in overseeing, supporting, and engaging contingent workers is crucial.

↪️ Tapping into technology, such as contingent workforce and vendor management systems, can be pivotal to an organization’s visibility, compliance, and data analysis capabilities when making informed decisions about extended workforce programs.

*This episode is sponsored by Workday.

Hey, before you go, Workday has a special gift for our listeners!

Today, 66% of organizations use contingent workers as part of their workforce. What does that mean for HR strategy?

Learn how to rethink your HR strategy to manage your contingent workforce better. Download your copy here:

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Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Cliff Stevenson

Workday

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - No longer outside of HR - riding a new wave of productivity and work tech.

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 07:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer and Managing Partner, Stacey Harris, and Sapients Insights Group Director of Research, Cliff Stevenson, attempt to compare and contrast a few topics starting with naming off 37+ tech organizations they encountered after weeks of conference circuit travel from new start-ups to prominent marketplace rainmakers - noting the disparities in what they do differently versus how unified they all are under the HR tech banner. They also reveal stand-out stats from this year’s recent publication of the 2023-2024 HR Systems White Paper around change management, and the staggering number of changes HR practitioners handle within their organizations today in contrast to just a few years ago. Stacey shares her perspective on how organizations need to manage change vs letting change manage them.

Key points they discuss:

↪️ The overall themes and updates from the companies Stacey and Cliff met with and what stood out to them: organizations focus on skills, line manager role support, talent management space, including expansion plans, new technology, and renewed energy toward SMBs.

↪️ Microsoft's introduction of an AI-powered skills service within the Viva platform and how it aims to improve engagement and help organizations identify skills within their workforce, contributing to workforce planning and development.

↪️ Skills management being at the forefront of HR tech conversations, and how organizations are looking for ways to leverage existing tools and data to address skills gaps.

↪️ The importance of transparency and compliance in collecting and using biometric data, as demonstrated by a class action lawsuit against Paylocity in Illinois, highlights the need for organizations to be cautious and informed when working with HR tech vendors.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts, companies mentioned, and articles they discuss below:

Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

https://tinyurl.com/yc2b48e9

Kate Bischoff

Heather Bussing

Richard Rosenow

A Quarter of US Employers Surveyed by Salary.com are Battling a Skills Gap with Another 42% Saying It Will Hit Them Within 2 Years

HR tech vendor Paylocity hit with IL biometrics class action over worker fingerprint scans

https://tinyurl.com/56jwvj9k

Introducing Skills in Microsoft Viva, a new AI-powered service to grow and manage talent

HR, We Have a Problem - The need to embrace a data-driven mindset and the impact of incorporating assessments into daily experiences.

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO and Managing Partner, Teri Zipper along with guest, Dr. Scott Dust, a highly published Management Professor at the University of Cincinnati and the Chief Research Officer at Cloverleaf, an automated assessment and coaching solution, dive deep into the dynamic world of HR assessments and usage of HR practices to provide concrete insights and demonstrate the true impact of HR initiatives over time.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Drawing a parallel between the rise of Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) and HR - how CMOs gained a seat at the table by quantifying and tracking the ROI of their marketing investments. HR needs to follow suit and embrace a data-driven approach.

↪️ The importance of HR professionals becoming comfortable with research methods and data analysis by leveraging readily available free tools and resources.

↪️ Incorporating assessments into daily experiences to provide continuous feedback and growth opportunities for employees - leading to higher job satisfaction and organizational success.

↪️ Micro interventions, or nudges, offer bite-sized, actionable insights in real time, helping individuals reflect and learn continuously.

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Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Dr. Scott Dust

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - New mergers, leadership shifts, and more insights on the responsible adoption of AI.

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 14:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer and Managing Partner, Stacey Harris, and Sapients Insights Group Director of Research, Cliff Stevenson, get into the huddle and discuss key mergers, leadership transitions, and the role of artificial intelligence in shaping the future of HR technology.

Also, tune in for a surprising twist as we mention a pigeon dating simulator that you won't want to miss!

↪️ Virgin Pulse, a digital wellness leader, merges with HealthComp, creating a comprehensive AI-driven wellness platform for enhanced employee well-being.

↪️ ServiceNow acquires Enable Professional Services, marking its expansion into organizational health and safety, a critical area in today's work environment.

↪️ Former Workday co-CEO Chano Fernandez becomes CEO at Eightfold AI, highlighting the growing influence of AI and diverse data adoption approaches in HR tech.

↪️ Workday and ADP partner for deep payroll integration, addressing mid-market customer concerns with holistic tech and service solutions.

Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

SAP

https://tinyurl.com/2n2dhkrr

Ceridian (now Dayforce)

Epic

ServiceNow

Workday

Virgin Pulse

Virgin Pulse and HealthComp Announce Intent to Merge to Create Comprehensive Employer Health Platform
https://tinyurl.com/5357tkzy

ServiceNow acquires Enable tech to improve health and safety management
https://tinyurl.com/a3hryy8h

Former Workday co-CEO takes similar role at Eightfold AI

ADP Launches Corporate Venture Capital Fund

https://tinyurl.com/bcps3vah

Layoffs at Epic

https://tinyurl.com/tww9mf72

Creator Of Hit Pigeon-Dating Sim Says Epic Never Paid Her Royalties

HR, We Have a Problem - Broker advantages, benefits administrative obstacles and the transformative role of AI in HR decision-making.

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 07:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO and Managing Partner, Teri Zipper welcomes guests Steve Hansen, National Practice Leader - HR Technology and Ashley Tsolis, Manager of HR Tech Consulting, both from Marsh McLennan Agency. They discuss the benefits of collaborating with a broker, the intricacies and obstacles of benefits administration technology, and the future of HR technology, including the involvement of AI in HR.

Key points covered include:

↪️ The complexity of benefits and wellness applications, making it essential to have the right support and technology in place to manage them effectively.

↪️ The advantages of working with a broker include wellness, HR tech services, HR consulting, safety, compliance, and claims management - helping HR professionals to make the most of their resources.

↪️ The importance of seamless integrations between HR Technology and various systems such as payroll vendors, carriers, and HRIS platforms to improve agility in HR processes.

↪️ AI's potential to simplify tasks like automated training and decision support. It underscores the critical need for clean, pertinent data in driving well-informed HR decisions.

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Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Marsh McLennan Agency

Steven Hansen

Ashley Tsolis

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - The HR Technology Conference buildup - will 2023 be the largest HR industry live event since COVID-19?

Thu, 05 Oct 2023 07:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer and Managing Partner, Stacey Harris and Sapients Insights Group Director of Research, Cliff Stevenson kick off the episode with an update on next week's HR Tech Conference in Vegas and Sapient’s not- to-miss exclusive events - including where to catch the big reveal on this year’s HR systems survey’s key findings, ServiceNow's latest additions to its platform, the recent legal ruling in California that could have implications for AI regulation, ADP's acquisition of Sora and takeaways from the ADP Innovation Summit.

Key points they covered include:

↪️ Twenty-six years of data crunching - what Sapient Insight Group’s 2023-2024 Annual HR Systems Survey reveals about vendors from the Voice of the Customer.

↪️ What the Sapient Insights Group team will be doing at one of the hottest HR industry events of the year - the 2023 HR Technology Conference and Exposition in Vegas.

↪️ ServiceNow introduces new automation solutions for data security and compliance, including zero-trust access, third-party risk management, and a software bill of materials.

↪️ The California Supreme Court's recent ruling in the Raines case highlights liability concerns for third-party groups and AI solutions in hiring processes.

↪️ Insights on ADP - its acquisition of Sora, the Innovation Summit, and the "One Integration" launch for seamless workflows and integrations across their applications.

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Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

ServiceNow delivers comprehensive automation solutions with the Now Platform Vancouver release

When It Raines, it Pours: HR Tech Solution Providers May Be Liable for Discrimination in California

2023 Talent Health Index: Your holistic guide to talent success

LinkedIn announcement from Jack Altman, CEO of Lattice

ADP Acquires Sora, Enhancing Seamless Integration Capabilities

HR, We Have a Problem - Should I stay or should I go? The state of employee retention in real-time - starting with compensation, pay equity, and remote work.

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 17:00:00 -0000

In this special episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO and Managing Partner Teri Zipper and guest Ruth Thomas, Chief Product Evangelist at Payscale, discuss the challenges and opportunities organizations face in a continuing tight labor market, why employee retention should remain top of mind on the brink of pay review season and considerations for other looming economic factors.

Essential points they talk about:

↪️ Surprising data on pay transparency reveals how employees feel about pay as a strong indicator of retention versus the actual amount paid.

↪️ Correlating the top five characteristics influencing an employee’s intent to leave or stay with their current organization.

↪️ The interplay between fair pay perception and transparency is not what you may think.

↪️ Current stats on remote work, its effect on employee engagement and productivity, and how productivity hasn't declined significantly.

↪️ Assessing how organizations communicate with their customers compared to their internal talent.

↪️ Creating opportunities for collaboration and mentorship with remote teams requires a shift in management style.

This episode of HR We Have a Problem is sponsored by Payscale.

Interested in learning more about Payscale’s latest research and insights on pay transparency? Catch Access Payscale’s Retention Report here – and watch out for their soon-to-be-released Remote Work Report you’ll be able to access their Remote Work Report - available on 10/4/23.

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Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Ruth Thomas

Payscale

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Navigating HR tech drama: Acquisitions, data-driven insights, and return-to-work policies.

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 16:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer and Managing Partner, Stacey Harris, and Sapients Insights Group Director of Research, Cliff Stevenson, discuss the drama surrounding Deel's interest in acquiring Papaya Global, highlighting the significance of aligning tech partners with your organization's values and reputation. Lastly, they reflect on the growing importance of data-driven decision-making in HR and its impact on employee work-life balance.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Deel, a San Francisco-based HR company, acquires Papaya Global, shedding light on the complexities and challenges associated with such partnerships.

↪️ The growing importance of data-driven decision-making in HR, particularly in understanding employee work-life balance and preferences, and how data can inform strategic HR initiatives.

↪️ Amazon's approach to return-to-work policies and questions about the importance of making data-driven decisions rather than relying solely on gut instincts or industry norms.

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Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

https://tinyurl.com/StT0001

Cliff Stevenson

Deel

Papaya Global

Amazon

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Eynat Guez, CEO at Papaya Global response on LinkedIn

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Firstup Surpasses $100M ARR, Cementing Market Leadership in Intelligent Workforce Communication

https://tinyurl.com/StT0003

Amazon’s Andy Jassy shouldn’t make return-to-office decisions in an echo chamber of CEOs driven by feelings

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Is Technology the Answer to HR’s Growing Burnout Problem?

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To be seen as strategic, HR must laser-focus on outcomes

https://tinyurl.com/StT0007

HR, We Have a Problem - Is the lack of a precise, universally accepted definition of Artificial Intelligence spawning advancement or confusion? Breaking down the AI paradox.

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 07:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO and Managing Partner, Teri Zipper along with her colleague Chief Research Officer, Stacey Harris welcome guest Holger Mueller, VP & Principal Analyst at Constellation Research to breakdown the challenges in defining AI and all the other subcategories such as predictive or generative AI that keeps flooding the market.

Key points they discuss:

↪️ The popularity of generative AI like ChatGPT among non-technologists leading to widespread discussions about its capabilities and applications, often before technologists fully grasp its implications.

↪️ AI's primary activity in making machines intelligent causes simple tasks to feel magical, surprising, and efficient for users, with little knowledge or care of how it happens.

↪️ AI advancements are driving demand for AI-related skills like "prompt engineering" rapidly reshaping job roles and responsibilities across various departments, including HR and IT.

↪️ Organizations can enhance AI models by adding industry-specific "foundation models" while ensuring data security within the AI environment, safeguarding intellectual property.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts, and topics they care about below:

Sapient Insights Group

Teri Zipper

Stacey Harris

Holger Mueller

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - The latest HR tech advancements: Oracle's top-secret cloud leap, Namely's global payroll play, and more!

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 15:00:00 -0000

Get into the huddle for this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech with host and Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer & Managing Partner Stacey Harris, along with co-host and Director of Research Cliff Stevenson as they delve into the latest HR tech news including Oracle's achievement of top-secret cloud authorization, Namely's expansion into global payroll support, Deltek's acquisition of Replicon for enhanced time tracking and project management, and Howdy.com's acquisition of Geekhunter to focus on AI engineers.

Key insights include:

↪️ Oracle's achievement of top-secret cloud authorization opens up opportunities for collaboration with government and defense organizations, enhancing modern HCM capabilities in the cloud.

↪️ Namely's expansion into global payroll support is a significant move, as it enables organizations to navigate the complexities of global payroll regulations.

↪️ Paradox's substantial growth in the conversational AI space, particularly in the hiring process, highlights the increasing importance of AI-driven automation for HR functions.

↪️ ZipRecruiter's partnership with UKG aims to streamline the hiring process, offering more options and capabilities for organizations, especially in the SMB space.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts, companies mentioned, and articles they discuss below:

Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

Oracle Achieves Top Secret Cloud Authorization

Namely Expands Partner Program by Adding Global Payroll Support

Paradox Named to Third Consecutive Inc. 5000 List -- Growing by More than 720% Since 2020

ZipRecruiter Announces Technology Partnership with UKG to Bolster Enterprise Hiring and Streamline HR Workflows

Deltek Completes Its Acquisition of Replicon

Howdy.com Acquires Brazilian Talent Marketplace, GeekHunter, As Demand for AI Engineers Increases

Two-thirds of employers rethinking role of HR with rise of AI

Zoom CEO Says Employe

HR, We Have a Problem - Payroll's strategic power: Data-driven insights for proactive workforce management

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 13:00:00 -0000

In this special episode* of HR, We Have a Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO and Managing Partner, Teri Zipper along with Sapient Insights Group, Chief Research Officer & Managing Partner Stacey Harris welcome guest Sherry Yarbrough, Principal Outbound Payroll Product Manager at Workday, to discuss the importance of understanding the strategic value of payroll data and its impact on business outcomes. The conversation explores ways to empower managers with data, use payroll information for labor and workforce planning, and embrace the potential of AI in enhancing payroll analytics.

Key points covered include:

↪️ The misconception of payroll as merely transactional, highlighting its role in understanding business costs and outcomes, elevating its strategic importance through accurate processing.

↪️ Analysis of payroll trends such as overtime and leaves offers early insights for staffing needs, enabling informed and proactive decisions to address upcoming challenges.

↪️ Self-service tools for employees and data-rich dashboards for managers to access payroll information enhances satisfaction and informed decision-making, optimizing workforce management.

↪️ AI's capacity to streamline data analysis, identify trends, and provide actionable insights, emphasizing the necessity of upholding data security and trust in AI systems.

*This episode is sponsored by Workday.

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Teri Zipper

Stacey Harris

Sherry Yarbrough

Workday

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Looking forward in HR tech: AI's transformative power, wellness innovations - and celebrity voice technology?

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 14:00:00 -0000

Get into the huddle for this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech with host and Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer & Managing Partner Stacey Harris, along with co-host and Director of Research Cliff Stevenson as they discuss advancements in AI's impact on work life, updates on HR analytics platforms, the evolving landscape of HR benefits and wellness, and the emergence of voice technology featuring celebrity voices. Here are a few episode highlights:

↪️ The company, One Model, secures $41 million to expand its people analytics capabilities, focusing on data-driven decision-making and integrations. (Article)

↪️ News app, Artifact adds AI text-to-speech voices, including celebrities like Snoop Dogg and Gwyneth Paltrow, highlighting the rise of AI-driven content customization. (Article)

↪️ Alight introduces its Alight Worklife, an employee experience platform focused on mobile self-service, wellness, and an AI-powered chatbot, underscoring the integration of health and wellness within the workplace. (Article)

↪️ Generational shifts and the significance of understanding the context of workers' lives, including geographical data mapping to make informed decisions.

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Stacey Harris

Cliff Stevenson

One Model

Alight

Ceridian

Artifact

AWS

Back by request: HR, We Have a Problem - What is the strategy around human capital in today’s market anyway? HR’s approach to talent change and shortages.

Thu, 17 Aug 2023 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have A Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO & Managing Partner, Teri Zipper, along with guest, Dr. Amy Dufrane, CEO of Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI), get into the huddle and discuss the rapid changes in the market around human capital and how organizations can effectively respond.

A few key points they discuss:

↪️ The rapid change in our current market, from bank collapses and ChatGPT, to numerous job opportunities with extensive workforce reductions.

↪️ How are organizations bridging the gap between the vast number of open positions and the comparatively limited pool of applicants?

↪️ The loss of senior-level institutional knowledge and its impact on current employees and corporate culture

↪️ To what extent does the "required expertise and potential talent" factor impact the recruitment process?

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Teri Zipper

Dr. Amy Dufrane, Ed. D., SPHR, CAE

Linkedin | Twitter

HRCI

LinkedIn | Twitter

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Game-changing acquisitions, AI accuracy dilemmas, and remote work realities.

Thu, 10 Aug 2023 07:00:00 -0000

Get into the huddle for this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech with host and Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer & Managing Partner Stacey Harris, along with co-host and Director of Research Cliff Stevenson, as they dive into more exciting HR tech news from around the world - including the acquisition and new funding of UK and Norway companies. They also explore inaccuracies of popular AI programs and tools.

Here are a few episode highlights:

↪️ Game-based learning platform out of Oslo, Kahoot!, has been acquired by an investor consortium, including Goldman Sachs and General Atlantic, for 1.72 billion. Follow their discussion on how this generational learning tool is surprisingly a bigger deal than people may think.

↪️ Prolific, a UK-based ethical research and AI training firm, has raised $25 million in Series A funding.

↪️ Concerns rise about the accuracy of AI programs like Chat-GPT, prompting the need for a thoughtful response.

↪️ Research by Crosschq Data Labs reveals a surge in job applicants misrepresenting themselves during reference checks. Cliff poses the question - should this be considered fraud?

↪️ Remote work intensifies the importance of policies and guidelines for employee management and HR outsourcing models.

Did you know? Our Chief Research Officer & Managing Partner, Stacey Harris, authored a book: “Introduction to HR Technologies: Understand How to Use Technology to Improve Your Performance and Processes.”

This book covers all the core areas of HR, including recruitment, performance management, learning and development (L&D), and reward, allowing practitioners to identify areas where technologies can be used to drive performance and what to look for when assessing technological solutions.

Get it here!

Follow the hosts, companies mentioned, and articles they discuss below:

Sapient Insights Group

Stacey Harris

Kahoot! Agrees to Cash Offer

Cliff Stevenson

Kahoot

Prolific

Crosschq

Prolific, a UK-based Ethical Research and AI-training Firm has Rais

HR, We Have a Problem - Navigating the Labor Crisis: Discussions on talent management decisions, filling the gap and Gen Z hot buttons.

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 08:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO & Managing Partner Teri Zipper, and guest Caitlin McGregor, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder at Plum, get into the huddle to talk about the current labor crisis and key strategies around effective talent management. Be sure to take advantage of Plum’s free talent assessment survey available to podcast listeners (link below).

Key points they discuss:

↪️ What are the core issues that organizations should be thinking about?

↪️ Gen Z is the future of the workforce but how do they feel about remote or hybrid work arrangements? What can companies do to attract and retain the brightest talent?

↪️ How can organizations fill the gap between unfilled job roles and the increasing demand for flexibility and personalized incentives?

↪️ What organizations can do to create an inspiring work culture.

Hey, before you go, Plum has unlocked a special gift for our listeners!

Learn how to harness your natural talents with the Plum Discovery Survey. This 25-minute assessment will help you build the foundation of a thriving career.

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Teri Zipper: LinkedIn | Twitter

Caitlin McGregor: Linkedin | Twitter

Plum: LinkedIn | Twitter

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Unveiling the intersection of HR Tech, Global Payroll, and AI within Workspaces

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 08:00:00 -0000

HR tech startup Propel wants to power the open talent economy via tech communities

Get into the huddle for this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech with host and Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer & Managing Partner Stacey Harris, along with co-host and Director of Research Cliff Stevenson, as they dive into some exciting HR tech news from around the world - including HR tech startups in Africa and the changing landscape of global payroll providers. They also explore the evolving role of AI in hiring and the importance of HR and IT collaboration.

Here are a few episode highlights:

↪️ Introducing HR tech startup Propel, a new HR tech startup in Africa, is on a mission to connect local communities to remote work opportunities and jobs in Europe.

↪️ UKG's acquisition of Immedis expands global payroll reach with UKG OneView, simplifying complex payroll management.

↪️ Payscale's initiatives on pay equity, transparency, and skills-based compensation transform compensation discussions.

↪️ HR and IT collaboration is crucial as AI usage in HR increases, with new laws emphasizing compliance and reskilling.

Don’t miss this exciting episode! Follow the host, guest, companies mentioned, and articles they discuss below:

Sapient Insights Group

Instagram & Twitter: @sapientinsights

Stacey Harris

Instagram: @staceyharris.hr | Twitter: @staceyharrisHR

Cliff Stevenson

Twitter: @cliffordDarrell | LinkedIn: @CliffordStevenson

Propel

LinkedIn: @WithPropel

UKG

Twitter | LinkedIn: @ukg

Visier

Twitter: @Visier | LinkedIn: @visier-analytics

Payscale

Twitter | LinkedIn: @payscale

Multinational Businesses Cheer UKG Acquisition of Immedis

4 Things Job Seekers Must Know About The New Role Of AI In Hiring

Top 4 Trends Reshaping IT And HR Collaboration

HR, We Have a Problem - The lack of change in performance reviews for over 100 years? The way we work is evolving at cut-rate speed, but not the way we measure.

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 16:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO & Managing Partner Teri Zipper, and guest Josh Merrill, Chief Executive Officer at Confirm, get into the huddle to talk about the most disliked HR function - performance review.

Key points they discuss:

↪️ The pendulum swings around the evolution of work methods contrasted with age-old stagnant measurement practices.

↪️ Work evaluations and the significant role that generative AI is poised to play in critical business processes.

↪️ Understanding Organizational Networking Analysis (ONA): definition, frequency, and the parties involved in initiating the process.

↪️ Prioritizing moving from manager-driven evaluations to revolutionizing the performance review process.

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Sapient Insights Group: LinkedIn | Twitter

Teri Zipper: LinkedIn | Twitter

Josh Merrill: Linkedin | Twitter

Confirm: LinkedIn | Twitter

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Unveiling HR Tech's next frontier: Emerging technologies, game-changing findings, and industry innovations

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 15:00:00 -0000

https://sapientinsights.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1MMiFSWjyoG5K

Get into the huddle for this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech with host and Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer & Managing Partner Stacey Harris, along with co-host and Director of Research Cliff Stevenson, where they uncover emerging technologies, share crucial HR findings and explore the latest HR products and capabilities in the market.

Here are a few episode highlights:

↪️ SilverLake has officially acquired Qualtrics, and Workday welcomes Emma Chalwin as their new Chief Marketing Officer, bringing fresh perspective to the team.

↪️ isolved introduces Benchmark Insights, empowering organizations to access real-time salary data, leave indicators, and a wealth of HR information on the isolved cloud.

↪️ Anne Fulton, from Fuel50, announcing her highly anticipated book, "The Talent Revolution: Optimizing Our Workforce for the New Talent Economy."

↪️ Greenhouse's research revealed that 76% of employees would actively seek new job opportunities if their company eliminated flexible work arrangements.

Follow the host, guest, companies mentioned, and articles they discuss below:

Sapient Insights Group

Instagram & Twitter: @sapientinsights

Stacey Harris

Instagram: @staceyharris.hr | Twitter: @staceyharrisHR

Cliff Stevenson

Twitter: @cliffordDarrell

Lisa Rowan

Twitter: @lisarowan | LinkedIn: @lisa-rowan-215b05

Lexy Martin

Twitter and LinkedIn: @lexymartin

Emma Chalwin

Twitter: @EmmaChalwin | LinkedIn: @emmawood

Anne Fulton

Twitter: @Anne_Fuel50 | LinkedIn: @annefultonfuel50

Roel Deuss

Twitter: @deusSAP | LinkedIn: @roeldeuss

Geena Davis

Twitter: @GeenaDavisOrg

Workday

Twitter & LinkedIn: @Workday

Salesforce

Twitter & LinkedIn: @salesforce

Oracle:

Twitter: @OracleHCM LinkedIn: @oraclecloudhcm/

Qualtric

Twitter & LinkedIn: @Qualtrics

Silver Lake

Twitter: @silverlake_news | LinkedIn: @Silver-lake

Harri

Twitter: @harri | LinkedIn: @harri-com

Isolved

Twitter: @isolvedhcm LinkedIn: @isolved

Greenhouse:

Twitter & LinkedIn: @greenhouse

Fuel50

Twitter & LinkedIn: @Fuel50

15Five

Twitter & LinkedIn: @15Five

Take the Sapient Insights Group 26th Annual HR Systems Survey.

HR, We Have a Problem - Navigating the Future of Work: Leadership challenges and AI's role in growth

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 13:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem as Sapient Insights Group CEO & Managing Partner Teri Zipper, and guest Amy Lavoie, Chief People Officer at Torch, get into the huddle to talk about challenges in leadership development and the evolving world of work.

Key points they discuss:

↪️ The science of happiness and how to leverage leadership to support organizational growth

↪️ The idea of “coming back to the office” versus “coming back to work” and the impact of leading remote and hybrid workforces

↪️ Best practices for developing leadership and what the role AI plays in affecting change

Don’t miss this insightful episode! Follow the host, guest, companies mentioned, and articles they discuss below:

Sapient Insights Group: LinkedIn | Twitter

Teri Zipper: LinkedIn | Twitter

Amy Lavoie: Linkedin

Torch: LinkedIn | Twitter

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - From Rippling's UK expansion to Visier's AI Assistant and Skillable's new CMO - catch up on what’s hot this summer.

Thu, 22 Jun 2023 13:00:00 -0000

Rippling launches in the UK

Get into the huddle for this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech with host and Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer & Managing Partner Stacey Harris, along with co-host and Director of Research Cliff Stevenson, to hear more about the surprising impact of labor cost on overall inflation, Visier’s new AT digital assistant and Skillable’s new CMO.

Here are a few episode highlights:

↪️ Rippling expands into the UK with an integrated automated payroll system for small businesses.

↪️ Skillable appoints Sarah Danzel as Chief Marketing Officer, signaling its investment in the skills and L&D market.

↪️ Visier introduces V, an AI-based digital assistant, and Smart Compensation, a compensation planning tool.

↪️ The impact of rising labor costs on overall inflation, highlighting the need to consider broader economic factors?

Don’t miss this exciting episode! Follow the host, guest, companies mentioned, and articles they discuss below:

Sapient Insights Group

Instagram & Twitter: @sapientinsights

Stacey Harris

Instagram @staceyharris.hr | Twitter @staceyharrisHR

Cliff Stevenson

Twitter: @cliffordDarrell

Sarah Denzl

Instagram & Twitter: @sarahdanzl

Skillable

Instagram & Twitter: @Skillable

Visier

Instagram @Visier-analytics | Twitter @Visier

Rippling

Instagram & Twitter: @Rippling

The Federal Reserve Board of the United States

Instagram @federal-reserve-board | Twitter @federalreserve

How Much Do Labor Costs Drive Inflation?

Skillable Further Bolsters Leadership Team and Market Position with New Chief Marketing Officer

Introducing Vee, Visier’s New Generative AI...

A Hiring Law Blazes a Path for A.I. Regulation

Take the Sapient Insights Group 26th Annual HR Systems Survey.

Participate and share your voice by accessing the link here:

https://sapientinsights.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1MMiFSWjyoG5K8C?SOURCE=SIGPodcast&ID=156

HR, We Have a Problem - Revolutionizing the employee experience and a human-centered approach to achieve organizational success

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 16:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem as Sapient Insights Group CEO & Managing Partner Teri Zipper, and guest Sophie Wyne, CEO, and Co-Founder at Ariglad, get into the huddle to talk about the hot but often hard-to-define topic of the employee experience, declines in productivity, and how a human-first approach correlates to organizational success.

Key points they discuss:

↪️ Defining the “employee experience” and the increasing challenges C-suite executives face

↪️ Driving employee engagement with transparency and communication and the importance of using data and metrics to track success

↪️ Demonstrating organizational culture and the employee experience to top talent from the first touchpoint

↪️ The impact of AI and role of ChatGPT in improving the employee experience

↪️ What it means when leading with a human-first approach

Don’t miss this insightful episode! Follow the host, guest, companies mentioned, and articles they discuss below:

Sapient Insights Group: @sapientinsights
Teri Zipper: @tazipper
Sophie Wyne: @sophie_wyne_
Ariglad: @arigladapp

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Getting ahead of the fear that drives the AI conversation, plus breaking local, national, and international news you don’t want to miss.

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 13:00:00 -0000

Global People Analytics Leader Visier Introduces New Products that Lower the Hurdle for Data-driven Workforce Strategies

Get into the huddle for this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech with host and Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer & Managing Partner Stacey Harris and co-host and Director of Research Cliff Stevenson to learn more about the launch of our 26th Annual HR Systems Survey, Visier’s recent expansion and other HR Tech news you don’t want to miss.

Here are a few episode highlights:

↪️ Visier introduces People Essentials, an easy on-ramp for people’s analytics.

↪️ Launching the 2023-2024 HR Systems Survey and why the value of your HR voice matters now more than ever.

↪️ The 2023 HR Technology Conference and how to catch key survey findings first.

↪️ Anticipated results from the May jobs reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

↪️ Hitting AI head-on with honest and proactive conversations to be having now.

Don’t miss this exciting episode! Follow the host, guest, companies mentioned, and articles they discuss below:

Stacey Harris: LinkedIn | Twitter

Clifford Stevenson: LinkedIn | Twitter

Sarah Greesonbach: LinkedIn

Visier: LinkedIn | Twitter

Workday: LinkedIn | Twitter

UKG: LinkedIn | Twitter

Beamery: LinkedIn | Twitter

Visier accelerates adoption of people analytics in Asia-Pacific region

Stacey Harris Keynoting at HR Tech

Sapient Insights Group Annual Systems Survey has had its public launch

Workday new CFO

UKG: Expect “Upside Surprise” in May Jobs Report

Nonfarm payroll employment up in 40 states from April 2022 to April 2023

HR, We Have a Problem - Raising the Bar on HR! Find your voice and get good with uncomfortable.

Tue, 30 May 2023 18:00:00 -0000

In this first-ever live episode of HR We Have A Problem, host and Sapient Insights Group CEO & Managing Partner Teri Zipper stirs things up with special guest and Chief People Officer of Perceptyx, Lisa Sterling, along with co-hosts Sapient Insights Group Founder & Managing Partner, Susan Richards and Chief Research Officer & Managing Partner, Stacey Harris!

They quickly get into the huddle for a lively chat on why HR leaders will and should continue to find a voice despite revolving C-suites, cultural evolutions, and a fever pitch of internal financial pressures.

Key points they talk about:

↪️ The Great 55 by 25 Challenge - the growing intensity behind the movement and what HR leaders are doing and not doing to answer the call

↪️ Surprising and not-so-surprising key data findings from the 25th Annual HR Systems Survey that started the movement

↪️ Helping executives understand the value and “whole” function of HR

↪️ Finding and asking for necessary budget support when it feels like you’re competing with Finance and other departments for resources?

↪️ Getting intentional about key internal relationships and why they are pivotal

↪️ Actionable insights on how HR leaders can and should continue to elevate the C-suite conversation

Don’t miss this exciting episode! Follow the host, guest, companies mentioned, and articles they discuss below:

Sapient Insights Group: LinkedIn | Twitter

Teri Zipper: LinkedIn | Twitter

Susan Richards: Linkedin

Stacey Harris: LinkedIn | Twitter

Lisa Sterling: LinkedIn | Twitter

Perceptyx: LinkedIn | Twitter

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - The ethics of AI in HR Tech, industry moves, and more.

Wed, 24 May 2023 11:00:00 -0000

UKG Developer Hub Helps Businesses Quickly Evolve and Adapt

Jump into the huddle for this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech with host and Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer & Managing Partner Stacey Harris and co-host and Director of Research Cliff Stevenson to hear about the latest industry moves and hot topics around AI in HR Tech.

A few points they talk about:

↪️ Key highlights from the recently held UKG Summit and answering the question on what they are doing well.

↪️ Why the acquisition of Modern Hire is a good move by HireVue.

↪️ The AI wars in the HR tech space.

↪️ Insights from the Sam Altman testimony in front of the US Senate Judiciary Committee’s subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law.

Don’t miss this exciting episode! Follow the host, guest, companies mentioned, and articles they discuss below:

Sapient Insights Group: LinkedIn | Twitter

Stacey Harris: LinkedIn | Twitter

Clifford Stevenson: LinkedIn Twitter: @clifforddarrell

UKG: @UKG

SAP: @SAP

Microsoft: @Microsoft

Modern Hire: @ModernHire

HireVue: @HireVue

OpenAI: @OpenAI

Sam Altman: @sama

Salesforce: @salesforce

Informatica: @Informatica

HireVue Acquires Modern Hire to Transform the Global Talent Experience

Sam Altman calls for ‘incredible scrutiny’ of major AI companies, including OpenAI and Microsoft

Push to unionize tech industry makes advances

SAP taps Microsoft AI Copilot to streamline hiring and upskilling for enterprises

HR, We Have a Problem - THE perfect interview and making good hires.

Thu, 18 May 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Catch this episode of HR, We Have a Problem as Sapient Insights Group CEO & Managing

Partner Teri Zipper, and guest Tim Partasevitch, Co-Founder at Juggl and Chief Growth Officer at Smart IT, get into the huddle and discuss the ideal job interview, potential bias and red flags.

Some key points they discuss:

↪️ Goals for an interviewee

↪️ Top questions to ask in every interview regardless of a potential hire’s job level or position

↪️ Key metrics for finding and making good hires

↪️ Impacts of machine learning and AI tools in the hiring process

Don’t miss this exciting episode!

Follow the host, guest, and companies mentioned:

Sapient Insights Group: LinkedIn | Twitter

Teri Zipper: LinkedIn | Twitter

Juggl: Linkedin | Website

Smart IT: Linkedin | Twitter

Tim Partasevitch: LinkedIn

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - HOT HR tech news on leading tech partnership announcements, the official launch of the 26th Annual HR Systems Survey, and more!

Fri, 12 May 2023 13:00:00 -0000

Rippling CEO Confirms an IPO Ahead

You don’t want to miss this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, where host and Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer & Managing Partner Stacey Harris, joined by co-host and Director of Research Cliff Stevenson, share their thoughts on the latest Rippling announcement, new industry-leading partnerships and the latest HR tools in development.

Key points they discuss:

↪️ An interesting new partnership between @Betterworks and @Visier, plus good news recently announced by @UKG and @NWSL

↪️ The main focus of the recently held @OracleHCM Application Industry Analyst Summit - what can we expect?

↪️ Heads up! Sapient Insights Group officially launched the much anticipated 26th Annual HR Systems Survey on May 9th with new enhancements and updates!

↪️ Are small organizations ready to take on advanced HR tech capabilities? This type of market information will be available in the soon-to-be-released SMB Action Report - the first in a series of in-depth data analysis reports available to the public for purchase from Sapientinsights.com.

Don’t miss out; tune in today! Follow the host, guest, and companies mentioned, and check out the articles they discuss:

Sapient Insights Group LinkedIn | Twitter

Stacey Harris LinkedIn | Twitter

Clifford Stevenson LinkedIn Twitter: @clifforddarrell

Rippling People Center, Inc. @Rippling

Betterworks System, Inc. @Betterworks

Microsoft @Microsoft

Visier, Inc. @Visier

Oracle HCM @OracleCloudHCM

UKG, Inc. @UKG | @UKGInc

National Women's Soccer League @NWSL

Betterworks and Visier Team Up to Revolutionize Employee Performance Analytics

Microsoft Viva Summit: Copilot in Microsoft Viva, Viva Glint, and Work Trend Index

Nearly four in five employers struggle to fill job roles, a 17-year high

UKG and National Women’s Soccer League Announce Historic Pay Equity Milestone

HR, We Have a Problem - The mission and power of payroll and why failure to notice is not an option.

Fri, 05 May 2023 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO & Managing Partner, Teri Zipper, and guest GxT Advisors Founder & Principal Analyst, Pete Tiliakos, get into the huddle and have a lively discussion on common misconceptions and complexities around the hot topic of payroll transformation and why it needs a seat at the table.

Some key points they discuss:

↪️ Assumptions and common misconceptions widely held by leadership and why.

↪️ Challenges and increasing compliance complexities payroll practitioners and vendors need to face.

↪️ Getting ahead of payroll (tech) and why staying agile means applying a mix of art and science to achieve success.

↪️ Current market forces that disrupt payroll and the intensity of the times for tech providers to keep up.

Don’t miss this exciting episode!

Follow the host, guest, and companies mentioned:

Sapient Insights Group: LinkedIn | Twitter

Teri Zipper: LinkedIn | Twitter

Pete Tiliakos: Linkedin | Twitter

GxT Advisors: LinkedIn | Twitter

HR, We Have a Problem - Take two! Digging into pay transparency and pay equity - moving targets in today’s business environment?

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have A Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO & Managing Partner, Teri Zipper, along with guest Sean Luitjens, Vice President of Product Management at Korn Ferry get into the huddle to break down the highly complex issues around pay equity and pay transparency. You don’t want to miss this one!

Some key points they discuss:

↪️ Getting smart about pay transparency and the impact of downstream impacts

↪️ Remediating pay equity as a moving target

↪️ Using technology to track pay and performance in today’s environment is a must

↪️ The answer to creating a defensible position on why people should be paid differently

↪️ The EU and pay gap explanations beyond 5% (of what)?

↪️ What should you be doing now to mitigate differing US pay transparency laws from state to state

Don’t miss this exciting episode!

Follow the host, guest and companies mentioned:

Sapient Insights Group: LinkedIn | Twitter

Teri Zipper: LinkedIn | Twitter

Sean Luitjens: Linkedin

Korn Ferry: LinkedIn | Twitter

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Hot off the press news on new players in the AI tech game and what it means to you.

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 13:00:00 -0000

A pro-innovation approach to AI regulation [UK]

You don’t want to miss this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, where host and Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer & Managing Partner, Stacey Harris joined by co-host and Director of Research, Cliff Stevenson, talk about all things AI – including new players in the marketplace and their break down of AI features in existing HR tech products.

Key points they discuss:

↪️ Breaking down our walkthrough of Cornerstone’s new Opportunity Marketplace - a talent marketplace differentiator?

↪️ What we learned after talking to CoachHub about their new AI assistant coaching tool

↪️ New players and opportunities in the AI game: Fyndo’s AI hiring platform, FairNow’s emerging AI compliance tool, and a brief intro to Beamery’s talent lifecycle management platform

↪️ Breaking policy news out of the UK on AI - a growing, impactful trend in AI tech?

Don’t miss out! Tune in today! Follow the host, guest, and companies mentioned and check out the articles they discuss:

Sapient Insights Group: LinkedIn | Twitter

Stacey Harris: LinkedIn | Twitter

Clifford Stevenson: LinkedIn Twitter: @clifforddarrell

Cornerstone: @CornerstoneInc

Phenom: @PhenomTXM

Office for AI: @officeforAI

CoachHub: @coachHub_IO

Beamery: @BeameryHQ

FairNow: @Fairnow

Cornerstone Opportunity Marketplace

Phenom Unveils Phenom X+ — Generative AI for Human Resources — and 18 Intelligent Talent Experience Platform Innovations at IAMPHENOM

Hiring Platform Fyndo Launches With Eye on SMBs

FairNow Emerges With Artificial Intelligence and Predictive Analytics Management Platform for Human Resources and Beyond

Beamery Launches TalentGPT to Create Personalized Experiences With AI

CoachHub launches AIMY

HR, We Have a Problem - Job descriptions and the impact of AI – oh my!

Fri, 07 Apr 2023 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO & Managing Partner, Teri Zipper, along with guest, JDXpert’s Co-founder & VP of Sales and Marketing, Don Berman, get into the huddle to talk about assessing job descriptions as an effective approach when navigating today's current labor market.

Some key points they discuss:

↪️ The impact of automations and AI tools on creating and posting job descriptions

↪️ How organizations can leverage creating and rewriting job descriptions

↪️ Key job titles and roles emerging from the remote work environment and AI tech

↪️ Best practices for job structuring, recruitment processing and content creation for job descriptions

Don’t miss this exciting episode!

Follow the host, guest and companies mentioned:

Sapient Insights Group: LinkedIn | Twitter

Teri Zipper: LinkedIn | Twitter

Don Berman: Linkedin

JDXpert: LinkedIn | Twitter

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Evolving in today’s tech landscape - reasons to be optimistic?

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 12:00:00 -0000

Rippling raises $500M in Series E financing

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, host and Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer & Managing Partner, Stacey Harris along with co-host and Director of Research, Cliff Stevenson, get into the huddle to discuss their recent experiences at the Workday AI and ML Innovation Summit and ADP’s 2023 Meeting of the Minds conference, including breaking HR tech news and surprise rulings.

Key points they talk about:

↪️ Announcements on big changes for this year’s 2023 HR Systems Survey relevant to buyers and vendors

↪️ The evolution of Workday - their new domains and aggressive growth despite continuous market change

↪️ Cliff’s perspectives on ADP’s Meeting of the Minds conference

↪️ What prompted Rippling to raise Series E Funding?

↪️ Impacts from NLRB’s (National Labor Relations Board) recent decision on non-disparagement clauses in severance agreements

Don’t miss this exciting episode! Follow the host, guest, and companies mentioned and check out the articles they discuss:

Sapient Insights Group: LinkedIn | Twitter

Stacey Harris: LinkedIn | Twitter

Clifford Stevenson: LinkedIn Twitter: @clifforddarrell

Workday: @workday

ADP, Inc.: @adp

Rippling People Center, Inc.: @Rippling

National Labor Relations Board: @NLRC

General Counsel Issues Guidance on the NLRB's Recent Decision on Non-Disparagement and Confidentiality of Agreement Provisions in Severance Agreements

HR, We Have a Problem - What is the strategy around human capital in today’s market anyway? HR’s approach to talent change and shortages.

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 14:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have A Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO & Managing Partner, Teri Zipper, along with guest, Dr. Amy Dufrane, CEO of Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI), get into the huddle and talk about talent retention in an upside-down world, the impacts on recruiting and challenges for the road ahead. A few key points they discuss:

↪️ The velocity of change in our market today from bank collapses and ChatGBT, to the sheer number job openings amongst massive layoffs

↪️ The current labor market’s impact on the talent supply chain

↪️ The effect of senior-level institutional knowledge loss on current employees and corporate culture

↪️ The amazing amount of resources employers are throwing at the talent gap, upskilling, and hiring processes just to keep up

Subscribe to The HR Huddle and don’t miss this exciting episode! Follow the host, guest and companies mentioned:

Sapient Insights Group: LinkedIn | Twitter

Teri Zipper: LinkedIn | Twitter

Dr. Amy Dufrane, Ed. D., SPHR, CAE: Linkedin | Twitter

HRCI: LinkedIn | Twitter

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Artificial Intelligence: a positive or negative influence? You decide!

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 12:00:00 -0000

Technology As Equalizer: Solutions That Open Management Doors To Women And Minorities

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, host and Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer & Managing Partner, Stacey Harris along with co-host and Director of Research, Cliff Stevenson, get into the huddle to discuss the impact of Artificial Intelligence within an organizational structure and some of the top headlines from the last few weeks.

Key points they talk about:

↪️ Thoughts and insights about the lawsuit filed against Workday over its allegedly discriminatory software - and why raising this type of issue is important.

↪️ Potential concerns when AI is used for HR Management

↪️ Breaking news…what we know about the recent launch of SAP Datasphere

Don’t miss this exciting episode! Follow the host, guest, companies mentioned and articles they discuss below:

Sapient Insights Group: LinkedIn | Twitter

Stacey Harris: LinkedIn | Twitter

Clifford Stevenson: LinkedIn Twitter: @clifforddarrell

Workday: @workday

Hierology: @hireology

SAP: @sap

Indeed: @indeed

DataRobot: @DataRobot

Databricks: @databricks

Collibra: @collibra @augmentir

Confluentinc: @confluentinc

Workday AI Biased Against Black, Older Applicants, Suit Says

Augmentir Expands its AI-based Connected Worker Platform with ChatGPT Foundational Technologies

Intelligent Hiring: AI Recruiting Tools Get EEOC Scrutiny

Unleashing the Power of Business Data with SAP Datasphere

Hireology Enhances Partnership With Indeed

HR, We Have a Problem - From cost center to value creator – starting with your HR data.

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 13:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR We Have A Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO & Managing Partner, Teri Zipper, along with guest and Sapient Insights Group, Chief Research Officer & Managing Partner, Stacey Harris, get into the huddle and talk about Stacey’s recently published article in Human Resource Executive Magazine where she shares the real value of HR data and how to leverage it.

Some key points they discuss:

↪️ Metrics and monthly reporting – challenging leadership and their way of thinking

↪️ The impact of remote work on HR data collection

↪️ A value creator role vs cost center

↪️ Where to start on becoming smart about your HR data

Don’t miss this exciting episode!

Follow the host, guest and companies mentioned:

Sapient Insights Group: LinkedIn | Twitter

Teri Zipper: LinkedIn | Twitter

Stacey Harris: LinkedIn | Twitter

Human Resource Executive Magazine: LinkedIn | Twitter

Article mentioned: Your HR data is extremely valuable — how to do more with it

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Tech layoffs, ChatGPT, and the humanistic approach to doing our jobs better.

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 14:00:00 -0000

Plum Raises $6 Million USD to Help Employers Ensure Their Employees Flourish

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, host and Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer & Managing Partner Stacey Harris and co-host and Director of Research and Sapient’s principal analyst, Cliff Stevenson get into the huddle and talk about the latest news on tech layoffs, economic headwinds, AI, and a humanistic approach to doing our jobs better.

Key points they discuss:

↪️ Why are investors betting on this talent assessment platform, Plum.io?

↪️ An honest assessment of the latest LinkedIn 2023 WorkPlace Learning Report

↪️ Secret uses of ChatGPT and other AI tools - what are employee concerns?

↪️ Widespread layoffs and the positions most adversely impacted and how organizations can address the imbalance

Don’t miss this exciting episode! Follow the host, guest companies mentioned, and articles they discuss:

Sapient Insights Group: LinkedIn | Twitter

Stacey Harris: LinkedIn | Twitter

Clifford Stevenson: LinkedIn Twitter: @clifforddarrell

Plum: @Plum_io

LinkedIn Learning: @LI_learning

Microsoft: @Microsoft

Otter AI: Otter_ai

2023 Workplace Learning Report: Building the Agile Future

Most employees using ChatGPT, other AI tools for work aren’t telling their bosses

Layoffs Reveal DE&I Policies at Top Tech Companies May Not Be What You Think

HR, We Have a Problem - Talent Intelligence – benefits, bias and best practices.

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 14:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR, We Have A Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO & Managing Partner, Teri Zipper, along with special guest Founder & CEO of Inspiration at Work, Alexandra Levit, get into the huddle to talk about Talent Intelligence and its significance for today’s market.

Some key points they discuss:

↪️ Defining Talent Intelligence and how it can future-proof your business and elevate internal mobility of a future workforce

↪️ How private and public sectors can leverage the power of skills-based artificial intelligence

↪️ Answering questions around bias - and other data privacy concerns

↪️ Bonus: Alexandra is a syndicated columnist for the Wall Street Journal and has authored a number of books about people, technology and the workforce, one of which is discussed in this episode!

Don’t miss this exciting episode! Follow the host, guest and companies mentioned:

Sapient Insights: @SapientInsights

Teri Zipper: @tazipper

Alexandra Levit: LinkedIn | Twitter

Inspiration at Work: LinkedIn | https://www.inspirationatwork.net/

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Workday’s multimillion dollar expansion and a time-theft ruling that could impact remote work.

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 16:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, host and Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer & Managing Partner, Stacey Harris along with co-host and Director of Research, Cliff Stevenson, have an insightful discussion about the $250 million expansion plan of WorkDay’s Ventures Fund, a recently issued time-theft ruling and breaking HRTech news that you may have missed.

Key points they talk about:

↪️ Will we see more vendors, like WorkDay, investing in smaller organizations despite the current market situation?

↪️ With the surprising investment in human resource company Darwin, what does Microsoft hope to achieve?

↪️ What is Cloudsnap? And how is it different from other integration platforms?

↪️ Will the time-theft ruling recently issued by a British Columbia Tribunal have an impact on remote work in the United States?

Don’t miss this exciting episode! Follow the host, guest, and companies mentioned and check out the articles they discuss:

Sapient Insights Group: LinkedIn | Twitter

Stacey Harris: LinkedIn | Twitter

Clifford Stevenson: LinkedIn Twitter: @clifforddarrell

Workday: @Workday

Microsoft: @Microsoft

Darwinbox: @theDarwinbox

PayLocity:@Paylocity

Cloudsnap: LinkedIn

LinkedIn: @LinkedIn

HR, We Have a Problem - New goals, new budgets and new tech solution? It's that time of year.

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 17:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR We Have A Problem, host and Sapient Insights Group CEO and Managing Partner Teri Zipper, along with guest and Sapient Insights Principal Analyst Joe Almodovar, get into a huddle and break down the vendor selection process, where to find great vendor information and ways to find the right implementation partners.

Some key points they talk about:

↪️ Beyond buying a system - the problem with the lift and shift approach

↪️ Starting with a business case - how vendor selection is only one step in a much larger plan and process

↪️ Solving the problem - approaching your purchase as a technology-led event vs. transformation for your organization. The differences between requirements and capabilities

↪️ In a thousand words or less - how implementation partners can make or break you

Don’t miss this exciting episode!

Follow the host, guest and companies mentioned:

Sapient Insights Group: LinkedIn | Twitter

Teri Zipper: LinkedIn | Twitter

Joe Almodovar: LinkedIn | @JoeAlmodovar2

Sapient Insights Group: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sapient-insights-group/

Teri Zipper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terizipper

Joe Almodovar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joealmodovar

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Making sense of HR Tech Data - it's not as daunting or dull as you think!

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 16:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, host Sapient Insights Group Director of Research and Principal Analyst, Cliff Stevenson, along with guest Tammy Smith, Sapient Insights Senior Research Analyst, take a deep dive into the use of data in HR and the story it tells us. Tammy shares her passion for all things data and the real fun of looking below the surface.

Some key points they discuss:

↪️ Data and the world we live in

↪️ Sapient Insights HR Tech Systems 25-year annual survey - ethical methods to the madness

↪️ How to know you can “trust” the data

↪️ A new era of spammers - collecting, flagging and filtering good from bad data

Don’t miss this informative episode!

Follow the host, guest and companies mentioned:

Sapient Insights Group: LinkedIn | Twitter

Clifford Stevenson: LinkedIn | Twitter

Tammy Smith: LinkedIn | @TammySm87122449

Sapient Insights Group: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sapient-insights-group/

Clifford Stevenson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cliffordstevenson

Tammy Smith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammy-lee-smith

HR, We Have a Problem - Is it time to leave your current PEO?

Wed, 25 Jan 2023 21:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR We Have A Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO and Managing Partner, Teri Zipper, along with guest Rukmini Banerjee, COO of Vouch Insurance, have an engaging chat about the challenges for fast-growing businesses ⁠when outgrowing a PEO and the impact of building their HR function.

Some key points they discuss:

↪️ Defining a PEO (Professional Employer Organization) – benefits and drawbacks of working with them

↪️ Transitioning to and from a PEO, how they can help and recognizing when to engage appropriate external resources

↪️ Smart moves when building an internal HR and complexities to consider

Don’t miss this exciting episode!

Follow the host, guest and companies mentioned:

Sapient Insights Group: LinkedIn | Twitter

Teri Zipper: LinkedIn | Twitter

Rukmini Banerjee: LinkedIn | Twitter

Vouch Insurance: LinkedIn | @vouch_group

Sapient Insights Group: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sapient-insights-group/

Teri Zipper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terizipper

Rukmini Banerjee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rukminibanerjee/

Vouch Insurance: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vouch-group

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - HR Tech start-ups, trending topics and predictions for 2023

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, host and Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer & Managing Partner, Stacey Harris along with co-host and Director of Research, Cliff Stevenson, have an insightful discussion about how some startups have begun addressing industry needs and industry news about Confirm – a performance review calibration tool.

Key points they talk about:

↪️ The pitfalls of relying too much on AI and technology to solve bias issues and objectively pointing out the positives of AI if used correctly

↪️ They cover a series of articles (linked below) from UKG, Paycor, and Business Insider on trending topics for HR in 2023

↪️ The rise of HR Tech in smaller organizations and the increased accessibility of new, powerful tools

↪️ What to expect from Sapient Insights Group’s upcoming SMB-white paper and their own predictions on the importance of data and data-based decisions

Don’t miss this exciting episode! Follow the host, guest and companies mentioned and check out the articles they discuss:

Sapient Insights Group: LinkedIn | Twitter

Stacey Harris: LinkedIn | Twitter

Clifford Stevenson: LinkedIn Twitter: @clifforddarrell

Confirm: @confirmHR

UKG: @UKGInc

Paycor: @PaycorInc

Workday: @Workday

2023 HR Megatrends: Emerging trends shaping the global workforce (UKG): https://www.ukg.com/solutions/human-resources/megatrends-2023

HR in 2023: Insights & Predictions (Paycor): https://www.paycor.com/resource-center/guides-white-papers/hr-in-2023-insights-predictions/

HR execs open up about the biggest challenges that will define 2023: https://www.businessinsider.com/hr-execs-the-biggest-workplace-challenges-of-2023-ibm-hilton-2023-1

HR Tech Startup Confirm Launches First and Only Auto-Calibration Solution for Employee Performance Reviews: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/hr-tech-startup-confirm-launches-194200434.html

HR, We Have A Problem - The revolution of pay transparency

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 16:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR We Have A Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO and Managing Partner, Teri Zipper, along with guest David Turetksy, VP of Consulting for Salary.com, have a lively chat about pay transparency, what it means and how to prepare for changes.

Some key points they discuss:

↪️ Defining pay transparency and its slow and dramatic evolution

↪️ Mandates and potential ramifications for non-compliance

↪️ How pay transparency can affect brand and culture

↪️ Business strategies for staying on track in 2023

Don’t miss this exciting episode!

Follow the host, guest and companies mentioned:

Sapient Insights Group: LinkedIn | Twitter

Teri Zipper: LinkedIn | Twitter

David Turetsky: LinkedIn | Twitter

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - New Year, New Us, New Workday + market insights, trends and updates

Fri, 06 Jan 2023 14:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, host and Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer & Managing Partner, Stacey Harris, introduces our new Director of Research, Cliff Stevenson.

They have a lively chat about what they’re looking forward to in the new year for Sapient Insights Group - also what HR Technology buyers, vendors and investors can expect in the market.

Some key points they discuss:

↪️ The new research, data and insights that Sapient Insights Group is preparing for in 2023

↪️ Market shifts and investment in payroll, workforce, and time management

↪️ Updates on Workday - Carl Eschenbach is named new Co-CEO for Workday as Chano Fernandez steps down

↪️ Favorite movies for Cliff Stevenson and Stacey Harris - we’ve got some 80’s movie lovers in the house!

Don’t miss this exciting episode! Follow the host, guest and companies mentioned:

Sapient Insights: @SapientInsights

Stacey Harris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceyharris/

Cliff Stevenson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cliffordstevenson

Workday: @Workday

Carl Eschenbach: linkedin.com/in/carl-eschenbach-980543

HR, We have A Problem - 2023 Big Bets: The Future of Data and Becoming More Human in a Tech-Driven World

Thu, 05 Jan 2023 16:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR We Have A Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO & Managing Partner, Teri Zipper, along with Founder & Managing Partner Susan Richards and Chief Research Officer & Managing Partner, Stacey Harris, have a lively chat about significant trends they saw in 2022, what to expect in 2023 and more.

Some key points they discuss:

↪️ Reflecting on 2022 as a year of surprises including transforming how we use technology, determine policies and processes and engage with employees and other stakeholders

↪️ Shared insights into some of the biggest bets for 2023 in the HR space, including becoming more human in a technology-driven world, shared service models and data flow architecture

↪️ Teri, Susan and Stacy’s favorite holiday traditions and personal stories

↪️ What they wish for listeners in the new year

Don’t miss this exciting episode! Follow the host, guest and companies mentioned:

Sapient Insights: @SapientInsights

Teri Zipper: @tazipper

Susan Richards: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susansapientinsights

Stacey Harris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceyharris

Spilling The Tea On HR Tech - Recent Travels and Learnings

Wed, 21 Dec 2022 20:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling The Tea On HR Tech, Sapient Insights Group Chief Research Officer and Managing Partner, Stacey Harris along with guest, Sapient Insights Group Principal Analyst, Joe Almodovar discuss recent travels and learnings.

Some key points they discuss:

↪️ Wrapping up the year with HR and Finance

↪️ Oracle’s approach to AI in Netsuite and their focus on the healthcare industry at the CloudWorld event

↪️ Stacey take on the UKG Aspire event in November; leadership transitions, the new PaaS platform and UKG’s plans to transition on-premise customers to cloud products

↪️ Stacey’s take on the Ceridian Insight Event and her first hand account on how they are addressing customer service concerns

↪️ Stacey’s insights on Workday Rising, Europe in Stockholm Stacey and Joe’ discussion on partner roles, skills, and payroll for Workday.

↪️ Bonus: Discussions on Global Payroll and Technology selection nuggets!

You don't want to miss this exciting episode!

To stay connected follow our host, guest, companies mentioned and Sapient Insights Group on social media:

Stacey Harris: @ StaceyHarrisHR

Joe Almodovar: @ JoeAlmodovar2

Sapient Insights Group: @SapientInsights

HR, We Have A Problem - How Layoffs Affect Companies and Employees: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Wed, 14 Dec 2022 17:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR We Have A Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO and Managing Partner, Teri Zipper, along with guest CEO of Onwards HR, Sarah Rodehorst discuss Onward’s focus on making layoffs and terminations consistent, compliant and supportive. Sarah provides a unique perspective: she co-founded the firm after 20 years of experience launching SaaS solutions for startups as well as Fortune 500 companies.

Some key points they discuss:

↪️The complexities organizations face when offboarding such as employee experience, severance, compliance, state regulations and more

↪️ The good, the bad, and the ugly in today’s market and the impact of a remote workforce

↪️ Improving communications to the employee, company and marketplace

↪️ The importance of culture and brand: how employees think about the company when they leave (and what they say)

You don't want to miss this exciting episode!

To stay connected follow our host, guest, companies mentioned and Sapient Insights Group on social media:

Teri Zipper: @tazipper

Sarah Rodehorst: @SarahRodehorst

Onwards HR: @OnwardsHR

Sapient Insights Group: @SapientInsights

HR, We Have A Problem - The Case for Change Management And Why It Matters

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 14:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR We Have A Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO and Managing Partner, Teri Zipper, along with guest Susan Richards, Sapient Insights Group Founder and Managing Partner, have an in-depth discussion about change management and why it matters.

Some key points they discuss:

↪️ What change management really is and what Adaptive Change Management means

↪️ The significance of change management and common plan pitfalls

↪️ Impactful outcomes for organizations doing change management

↪️ The importance of professional certification and review of a few case studies from their personal experience

You don't want to miss this exciting episode!

To stay connected follow our host, guest, and Sapient Insights Group on social media:

Teri Zipper: @tazipper

Susan Richards: @SRRAtlanta

Sapient Insights Group: @SapientInsights

HR, We Have A Problem - Discussions on Quiet Quitting

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 17:00:00 -0000

In this episode of HR We Have A Problem, Sapient Insights Group CEO and Managing Partner, Teri Zipper, along with guest Marc Moschetto, CEO and Founder of KickMotor, have a lively chat about Quiet Quitting in today’s fragmented work environment, what’s real or not…. and more.

Some key points they discuss:

↪️ What is Quiet Quitting? And why employees stop advocating for themselves.

↪️ Employers and managers are challenged to be more empathetic and to create a flexible work environment while making sure that tasks are getting done.

↪️ The importance of maintaining connections with employees and creating opportunities to collaborate.

↪️ Employee engagement and retention are issues that can't be solved by HR alone.

Don’t miss this exciting episode!Follow the host, guest and companies mentioned:

Sapient Insights: @SapientInsights

Teri Zipper: @tazipper

Marc Moschetto: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcmoschetto

KickMotor:https://www.linkedin.com/company/kickmotor

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Cornerstone & Oracle User Conferences + Atlas HXM new EOR

Wed, 09 Nov 2022 15:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Spilling The Tea on HR Tech, host and Chief Research Officer, Stacey Harris along with guest, Sapient Insights Group CEO, Teri Zipper, discuss the Cornerstone Users Conference, Oracle Cloud HCM Users Conference, the Investor HR RoundTable event, and their onsite visit to a new direct Employer of Record, AtlasHXM.

Some of the key findings they discuss:

↪️ Cornerstone’s refocused efforts on creating a skills-based approach while new senior management changes took place

↪️ Oracle Cloud HCM’s focus on the healthcare industry and investments in recruiting technology

↪️ Stacey and Teri’s discussion with other HR professionals at the Investor HR RoundTable event on changes in the market based around talent management and implementation challenges

↪️ AtlasHXM’s implementation of a global Employer of Record model and how international hybrid workforces are changing the dynamics of talent management

You don't want to miss this exciting episode!

Follow the host, guest, and companies mentioned:

Sapient Insights: @SapientInsights

Stacey Harris: @StaceyHarrisHR

Teri Zipper: @tazipper

Cornerstone Inc: @CornerstoneInc

Oracle Cloud HCM: @OracleCloudHCM

Atlas: @Atlas_HXM

Marc Levinson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-levinson-7a791a9/

Kate Naylor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katesnaylor/

Himanshu Palsule: https://www.linkedin.com/in/himanshu-palsule/

Toya Del Valle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toyadelvalle/

Ryan Courson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-cameron-courson/

Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Latest and hottest trends and tools in the HR Tech space

Tue, 18 Oct 2022 16:00:00 -0000

What are some of the latest and hottest trends and tools in the HR Tech space today and in the coming years?

During the HR Tech Conference, one of the industry’s leading events for HR and HRIT professionals, we got the latest on the veteran HR technology providers and market leaders as well as some of the newest tech solutions on the block. Fortunately, we had a team of people working the Expo to find the gems and we are going to share what we learned with you.

In this episode of Spilling The Tea on HR Tech, host Stacey Harris, together with her colleagues, breaks down the hottest trends and tools they discovered during HR Tech.

After 2 years of pandemic travel, they all agreed that this year’s HR Tech Conference allowed them to reconnect with their colleagues, vendors, and the other members of the HR Tech community. A much needed opportunity!

Some of the key findings they discuss:

↪️ Growing desire for opportunities to learn is supported and encouraged by employers

↪️ On-demand pay programs as an additional employee perk and a tool to address long-time HR issues

↪️ New and key players in AI and Analytics that can help address HR issues

↪️ Importance of creating a better employee experience, from onboarding to offboarding, and lots of options

↪️ More HR Technology being adopted by companies under 50 employees and as small as 5

↪️ Work/life balance conversations were prevalent especially for frontline workers

↪️ A focus on the strategic HR function and putting the human back in HR

↪️ Not to mention the bigger, fancy, glossy booths!

Don’t miss this exciting recap and keep up with the host in real-time:

StaceyHarris - @staceyharrishr

Sapient Insights Group – @SapientInsights

HR, We Have A Problem - Extended workforce transparency; unpacking the challenges.

Thu, 17 Mar 2022 09:00:00 -0000

Still using spreadsheets to manage your contingent workers?

These outdated systems may be hurting your organization's ability to effectively utilize your extended workforce.

In this episode of HR, We Have A Problem, host Stacey Harris unpacks the challenges and opportunities HR has in taking ownership of this critical, but often misunderstood area.

Joining the HR Huddle are two industry experts: Daina Parker, Vice President of Shared Services at ChristianaCare and the Co-founder and Chief Operations Officer at Utmost, Daniel Beck.

Parker and Beck argue it's time to stop sacrificing transparency and treating contingent workers like a number on your bottom line. They also make the case for:

Why you no longer need to fear or avoid compliance
Getting a handle on payment per person, time collection, skills mix
Why extended workforce management is the future of work
Managing dual-role employee’s access, benefits, and more
Getting company buy-in for implementing a VMS
What benefits extended workers actually want
Why your contingent worker population is central to your orgs survival
Engaging workers who choose to remain independent

Want to learn more about how a VMS can radically transform your workplace?

Head over to Utmost.co
Follow Utmost on Twitter and Linkedin

Connect online via ChristianaCare
Like ChristianaCare on Facebook

Keep up with the host in real-time:

StaceyHarris - @staceyharrishr
Sapient Insights Group – @SapientInsights

HR, We Have A Problem - Stopping the churn of top talent & cultivating new leaders

Thu, 06 Jan 2022 16:00:00 -0000

Desperate to prevent the next wave of resignations at your organization? Need more employees to step up and lead even as they work remotely?

In this episode of HR, We Have A Problem, industry expert and host Kim Seals uncovers powerful solutions to help you stop the churn of top talent and cultivate new leaders.

Joining the HR Huddle is author and TED-X speaker, Dr. Catherine Rymsha to help you retain your highest performers by harnessing the power of Stay Interviews.

Dr. Rymsha, one of the most in-demand global consultants on leadership, is here to shake up the way you think about feedback, challenge who gets to be a “leader,” and how to develop your leadership brand, including:

Stop forcing team members to become people managers
How to get buy-in on Stay Interviews
Why HR must use Stay Interviews within their department first
Asking crucial questions to top talent before they leave
Helping your workforce (or yourself) break out of the “trap of mediocrity”
How to strategically position yourself as a leader
Getting noticed by the right people at your company
Motivating young employees to lean into leadership tracks

Ready to implement Stay Interviews or to learn how to develop untapped leaders?

Head over to TheLeadershipDecision.com

Get your copy of The Leadership Decision: Decide to Lead Today on Amazon

Connect with Catherine on LinkedIn

Keep up with the host in real-time:

Kim Seals - @kseals

Sapient Insights Group – @SapientInsights

HR, We Have A Problem - The future of the workplace and looming skills gap crisis

Wed, 29 Dec 2021 11:00:00 -0000

Caught in a tug-of-war with employees about the future of your workplace?

In this episode of HR, We Have A Problem, industry expert and host Kim Seals helps you get ahead of the looming skills gap crisis, and breaks down the latest HR technology you need to know for 2022.

Joining the HR Huddle is the founder and General Partner at Acadian Ventures, Jason Corsello, who breaks down the most surprising findings from Acadian Ventures' State of Work 2021 report.

Corsello, a global leader in the Future of Work and Human Capital Management, offers powerful insights on macro trends, including:

The one question you need to answer before deciding your remote work policy
Solutions for the growing skills gap
What Compa is doing to solve for hiring during the workforce migration
How benefits are being redefined
New approaches to employee wellness
The explosion of unicorn HR tech companies in the last year
Low- and no-code tech movement
Exodus from Silicon Valley

Want to stay in the loop on all things future of work and HR tech trends?

Head over to AcadianVentures.com

Follow on Twitter @JCorsello

Keep up with the host in real-time:

Kim Seals - @kseals

Sapient Insights Group – @SapientInsights

Spilling The Tea On HR Tech - Ransomware attacks and vendor liability

Fri, 24 Dec 2021 03:00:00 -0000

Should a vendor be held accountable when a ransomeware attack leaves thousands of their client's employees at risk of not being paid?

On this special late-night episode of Spilling The Tea On HR Tech, industry experts and hosts, Stacey Harris and Kim Seals serve up a hot take on the hack at UKG, including:

What obligation does UKG have to help their clients right now?
Do companies need a back-up plan for their business continuity plan?
Are ransomware attacks inevitable?
What should you be asking your vendors?
Do vendors need to be more transparent going forward?

Follow the hosts for real-time tea:
Stacey Harris – @StaceyHarrisHR
Kim Seals - @kseals
Sapient Insights Group – @SapientInsights

HR, We Have A Problem - Pulling no punches on the real cost of poorly written job posts

Fri, 17 Dec 2021 11:00:00 -0000

Are your job posts full of cliches, lies, and costing you qualified candidates?

In this episode of HR, We Have A Problem, host Kim Seals takes on the worst offenders in your hiring process to help you tap into top talent. Yes, even in this labor market.

Katrina Kibben, one of the nation’s foremost experts on writing job posts, pulls no punches on the problem with your recruiting strategy and shares tactical advice, including:

The secret formula for writing job posts
Removing writer’s block forever
How to nail job titles every time
Trading buzzwords and biased language for radical empathy
Understanding the difference between a job ad, post, and description
Why the corporate ladder is obsolete
Meeting candidates with vulnerability

Want to help your recruiting teams write better job postings?

Head to threeearsmedia.com
Follow Katrina on Twitter @katrinakibben

Keep up with the host in real-time:

Kim Seals - @kseals
Sapient Insights Group – @SapientInsights

HR, We Have A Problem - Coming to terms with your digital HR strategy and the denial of the new world of work

Wed, 08 Dec 2021 11:00:00 -0000

Think your digital HR strategy is the tech department's problem? Think again.

In this episode of HR, We Have A Problem, host Kim Seals challenges everything you thought you knew about digital HR, including who is responsible for it at your workplace.

Joining her in the HR Huddle is the Cofounder and CEO of Leapgen, Jason Averbook who calls out companies in denial about the new world of work.

Averbook, consistently named one of the world’s top HR influencers and thought leaders, passionately makes the case for organizations to:

Come to grips with digital HR
Scrap meaningless engagement surveys
Quit buying irrelevant HR tech
Understand implementation vs. deployment
Acknowledge employee engagement drives customer engagement
Stop using the bait & switch approach when hiring
Close the "cultural chasm" between recruiting & working at your company

Want to hear more of Jason’s powerful perspective?

Connect via Linked at Jason Averbook
Head to Leapgen.com

Keep up with the host in real-time:

Kim Seals - @kseals
Sapient Insights Group – @SapientInsights

Spilling The Tea On HR Tech - Venture capital & the HR Tech market, biggest deals & news

Tue, 30 Nov 2021 06:00:00 -0000

Forget making it rain, because venture capital is flooding the HR Tech market with investment money, but will all this investment be a wash for the organizations who purchase it?

On this episode of Spilling The Tea On HR Tech, industry experts and hosts, Stacey Harris and Kim Seals serve you a fresh brew of the biggest deals and news happening now.

Plus, can Cornerstone OnDemand’s new employee development experience, Cornerstone Xplor help your workforce level-up their skill sets?

Follow the hosts for real-time tea:
Stacey Harris – @StaceyHarrisHR
Kim Seals - @kseals
Sapient Insights Group – @SapientInsights

HR, We Have A Problem - HR's role: a hindrance to healthy and authentic culture?

Tue, 16 Nov 2021 11:00:00 -0000

If your company’s culture is solely HR’s responsibility, it's broken.

In this episode of HR, We Have A Problem, host Kim Seals tackles the controversy surrounding HR’s role in setting an organization’s culture.

Joining her in the HR Huddle is the Chief People Officer at SmartRecruiters, Lisa Sterling who believes Human Resources is actually the biggest hindrance to healthy and authentic culture at most companies.

Sterling has helped take two companies public in the last three years and argues that in order to become a talent magnet, organizations need to:

Stop trying to lure employees back to the office
Offer less gym memberships and more freedom of wellness options
Admit leadership has unconscious biases before attempting to fix it
Expand parental leave benefits to include caretaking and family addiction
Allow employees to choose student loan repayments instead of 401k contributions
Be radically transparent with workers during an IPO

Want to hear more of Lisa’s powerful perspective?

Follow on Twitter @LisaMSterling
Connect via MamaLlamasWorld.com

Keep up with the host in real-time:

Kim Seals - @kseals
Sapient Insights Group – @SapientInsights

Spilling The Tea On HR Tech - Biggest deals and news; Microsoft (Ally.io), Workday's borderless workspace & 24th Edition HR Systems Survey

Tue, 02 Nov 2021 10:00:00 -0000

Is Microsoft's acquisition of Ally.io the missing piece in its enterprise tech puzzle?

On this episode of Spilling The Tea On HR Tech, industry experts and hosts, Stacey Harris and Kim Seals serve you a fresh brew of the biggest deals and news happening now:

Microsoft purchases Ally.io, the OKR startup that raised $76 million
Workday announces its borderless workspace experience for employees, Workday Everywhere
Out Now: 2021 HR Systems Survey, 24th Edition

Plus, want to know where you peers are investing?
Listen for the new top five HR tech spending categories from this year's white paper.

Sign up for your all access pass today.

Follow the hosts for real-time tea:
Stacey Harris – @StaceyHarrisHR
Kim Seals - @kseals
Sapient Insights Group – @SapientInsights

HR, We Have A Problem - Eerie HR horror stories and more

Tue, 19 Oct 2021 10:00:00 -0000

Every HR professional has on-the-job experiences that will haunt them forever.

In this episode of HR, We Have A Problem, host Kim Seals celebrates spooky season by swapping horror stories from the human resources department, including: eerie employee behavior, petrifying policy violations, and bosses from the netherworld.

Joining her around the HR Huddle campfire is the Managing Partner and Principal of HR and People Strategy at Peridus Group, Robin Schooling.

Schooling clears the cobwebs to leave you with strategies you can use should you ever find yourself or your organization in similar spine-chilling situations.

Need Robin's help navigating your HR nightmares?

Head to PeridusGroup.com
Connect via RobinSchooling.com
Follow on Twitter @RobinSchooling

Keep up with the host in real-time:
Kim Seals - @kseals
Sapient Insights Group – @SapientInsights

Spilling The Tea On HR Tech - The Top 5 Hottest Takeaways from HR Tech Conference 2021

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 10:00:00 -0000

On this episode of Spilling The Tea On HR Tech, industry expert and host, Stacey Harris and the Sapient Insights team serve you The Top 5 Hottest Takeaways from the HR Tech Conference.

Tune in for critical insights on:

Vendors
The two new wellness areas
Systems that impact workforce planning
Where to invest for 2022

Want the freshest brew & news?
Join us for a live webinar on Oct. 27th to exclusively review cutting-edge results with our team.

Sign up: https://bit.ly/3i1uQHu

Follow the hosts for real-time tea:
Stacey Harris – @StaceyHarrisHR
Susan Richards – @SRRAtlanta
Pam Jeffords – @pamjeffords
Joe Almodovar – linkedin/joealmodovar
Sapient Insights Group – @SapientInsights

Spilling The Tea On HR Tech - Key takes from the Annual HR Systems Survey and the return to HR Tech

Tue, 28 Sep 2021 10:00:00 -0000

On this episode of Spilling The Tea On HR Tech, industry experts and hosts, Stacey Harris and Kim Seals serve you a fresh brew of the hottest news and insights from Sapient Insights Group's Annual HR Systems Survey, including:

Key spending trends
Vendor feedback
Where to invest for 2022
How you can access the data too

Plus, the return of The HR Tech Conference this Fall.

Not attending HR Tech this year?
Join us for live webinars on Oct. 7 or Oct. 27 to exclusively review the results with our team.

Sign up: https://bit.ly/3i1uQHu

Follow the hosts for real-time tea:
Stacey Harris – @StaceyHarrisHR
Kim Seals - @kseals
Sapient Insights Group – @SapientInsights

HR, We Have A Problem - ESPN leak, DE&I and 70's style corporate rules

Tue, 21 Sep 2021 10:00:00 -0000

Is your organization’s risk mitigation strategy actually jeopardizing it?

This is part two of our conversation on the fallout at ESPN.

In this episode of HR, We Have A Problem, host Kim Seals breaks down the network’s bungled attempts to mitigate the leaked audio of reporter, Rachel Nichols, who is White, complaining she was replaced by Black colleague, Maria Taylor, as a "diversity play.”

Joining her in the huddle is Ball Corp's Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion and former college athlete, Charles "CJ" Johnson, along with co-host, Pam Jeffords.

Johnson calls out obsolete “70’s style” corporate rules, that ignore historical and societal context, often leaving employees with an impossible choice: Violate current procedures in order to expose workplace discrimination and injustice? Or risk HR sweeping it under the rug?

Tune in to Per My Last Email, to hear part one of this discussion from the DEI perspective.

Keep up with the hosts in real-time:
Pam Jeffords – @pamjeffords
Kim Seals - @kseals
Sapient Insights Group – @SapientInsights

Spilling The Tea On HR Tech - The hottest deals & news on iCIMS, Paylocity, UKG & Microsoft

Tue, 14 Sep 2021 10:00:00 -0000

Is iCIMS going public and planning a name-change? Does UKG’s latest acquisition mean they’re squaring off with Microsoft? Are U.S.-based multinational companies on the hunt for a better global payroll platform?

On this episode of Spilling The Tea On HR Tech, industry experts and hosts, Stacey Harris and Kim Seals serve you a fresh brew of the hottest deals going down:

Talent cloud company iCIMS files for IPO
UKG is acquiring Great Places To Work
Paylocity acquires Blue Marble

Can't wait for the next cup?

Follow the hosts for real-time tea:
Stacey Harris – @StaceyHarrisHR
Kim Seals - @kseals
Sapient Insights Group – @SapientInsights

Per My Last Email - September 7, 2021

Tue, 07 Sep 2021 10:00:00 -0000

Nearly a year after audio leaked of ESPN's Rachel Nichols, who is White, complaining she was replaced by Black colleague, Maria Taylor, as a "diversity play," the network is still struggling to manage the fallout.

In this episode of Per My Last Email, host Pam Jeffords tackles ESPN's DEI strategy failures with the help of Ball Corp's Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion and former college athlete, Charles "CJ" Johnson, along with HR Huddle co-host, Kim Seals.

Johnson says it's time for organizations to stop putting out crafty statements and covering up difficult situations, and instead, be radically transparent about them.

Don't think your company could do the same?

Listen in for key takeaways on how you can:

Find the deeper truth within diversity-centered incidents
Harness extreme honesty to build a stronger culture
Own the narrative internally and externally
Understand why employees may bypass the HR process

Tune in part two of this conversation for strategies your HR department can implement to avoid becoming the next ESPN in HR, We Have A Problem.

Keep up with the hosts in real-time:
Pam Jeffords – @pamjeffords
Kim Seals - @kseals
Sapient Insights Group – @SapientInsights

Spilling The Tea On HR Tech - The 3 biggest [acquisition] deals happening right now

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 10:00:00 -0000

Did someone say acquisition season? On the first episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, industry leaders and hosts, Stacey Harris and Kim Seals break down three of the biggest deals happening now:

Private equity firm, Clearlake Capital, to acquire Cornerstone OnDemand
SAP acquires the intellectual property of SwoopTalent
PayScale acquires pay equity solution, CURO Compensation

Also, will A.I. finally make good on its promise to revolutionize integrated talent management? And can compensation data companies compete with Excel?

Tune in weekly for the hottest news in HR tech and the behind-the-scenes scoops from vendors you need to know.

Follow the hosts for real-time tea:
Stacey Harris – @StaceyHarrisHR
Kim Seals - @kseals
Sapient Insights Group – @SapientInsights

Trailer - Introducing The HR Huddle: Cause when the shit goes down, you need a crew you can count on

Tue, 24 Aug 2021 10:00:00 -0000