The HR Huddle

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. Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below: Sapient Insights Group Download the 2024-25 HR Systems Survey White Paper Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn Teri Zipper Instagram |  Twitter |  LinkedIn  Dennis Hill LinkedIn

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. Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below: Sapient Insights Group Download the 2024-25 HR Systems Survey White Paper Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn Stacey Harris Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn Cliff Stevenson Twitter | LinkedIn 

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. Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below: Sapient Insights Group Download the 2024-25 HR Systems Survey White Paper Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn Teri Zipper Instagram |  Twitter |  LinkedIn  Susan Richards LinkedIn Tracey (Tee) Thorsen LinkedIn Mary Ellen Clagett LinkedIn

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. Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below: Sapient Insights Group Download the 2024-25 HR Systems Survey White Paper Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn Stacey Harris Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn Cliff Stevenson Twitter | LinkedIn 

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  Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below: Sapient Insights Group Download the 2024-25 HR Systems Survey White Paper Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn Teri Zipper Instagram |  Twitter |  LinkedIn  Jamie Aitken LinkedIn Betterworks Instagram | LinkedIn

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. Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below: Sapient Insights Group Download the 2024-25 HR Systems Survey White Paper Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn Stacey Harris Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn Cliff Stevenson Twitter | LinkedIn 

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. 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 White Paper Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn Teri Zipper Instagram |  Twitter |  LinkedIn  Stacey Harris Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn RD Whitney LinkedIn

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. 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 White Paper Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn Stacey Harris Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn Cliff Stevenson Twitter | LinkedIn 

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. 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 White Paper Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn Teri Zipper Instagram |  Twitter |  LinkedIn  Brett Ungashick LinkedIn Outsail LinkedIn

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. 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 White Paper Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn Stacey Harris Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn Cliff Stevenson Twitter | LinkedIn