Workday Podcasts Why Payroll Has Earned a Seat at the Strategy Table - Future of Work Podcast
Dec 9, 2025
Join Pete A. Tiliakos, a seasoned analyst on payroll strategy, as he sheds light on the transformative 'golden age' of payroll. He discusses the evolution from a cost center to a strategic driver for business performance, emphasizing the wealth of data payroll provides. Pete warns of the risks of unprepared payroll operations and explains how AI and modern tools enable payroll leaders to become vital business advisors. He encourages professionals to embrace technology, establish executive relationships, and seize their newfound strategic importance.
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Payroll Is A High-Impact Business Lever
- Payroll has been treated as a hidden cost center but actually holds major ROI and risk implications for the business.
- Treating payroll as strategic reveals it as one of the largest impacts on P&L and compliance risk.
Payroll Holds Rich, Accurate Workforce Data
- Payroll contains some of the organization's richest and most accurate workforce data beyond paychecks.
- That data becomes strategic when integrated with other business systems to enable better decisions.
Unready Payroll Undermines Organizational Agility
- About half of payroll operations lack readiness to support business strategy, creating agility gaps.
- This immaturity undermines scaling efforts like rapid store openings or international expansions.