The HR Huddle

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 GroupDownload the 2023-24 HR Systems Survey White PaperInstagram | Twitter | LinkedInStacey HarrisInstagram | Twitter | LinkedInCliff StevensonTwitter | LinkedIn 

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 GroupDownload the 2023-24 HR Systems Survey White PaperInstagram | Twitter | LinkedInTeri ZipperInstagram |  Twitter |  LinkedIn Peter PhelanLinkedInValuesCultureLinkedIn

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 GroupDownload the 2023-24 HR Systems Survey White PaperInstagram | Twitter | LinkedInStacey HarrisInstagram | Twitter | LinkedInCliff StevensonTwitter | LinkedIn 

Heather Bussing, an employment attorney and law professor with expertise in HR technology, joins to discuss the EU Pay Transparency Directive's major implications for workplace pay equity. They delve into how the directive mandates companies disclose pay information prior to interviews and necessitate objective pay criteria. Key points include the impact on small businesses, the shift to data-driven pay strategies, and the vital role of technology in analyzing pay equity issues. The conversation emphasizes the urgency of compliance and the need for a collaborative approach in HR to foster inclusivity.

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.  Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:Sapient Insights GroupDownload the 2023-24 HR Systems Survey White PaperInstagram | Twitter | LinkedInCliff StevensonTwitter | LinkedIn Cindy MaurerLinkedIn

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 GroupDownload the 2023-24 HR Systems Survey White PaperInstagram | Twitter | LinkedInTeri ZipperInstagram |  Twitter |  LinkedIn George LaRocqueTwitter | LinkedInWorkTechTwitter | LinkedIn

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 GroupDownload the 2023-24 HR Systems Survey White PaperInstagram | Twitter | LinkedInStacey HarrisInstagram | Twitter | LinkedInCliff StevensonTwitter | LinkedIn 

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 GroupDownload the 2023-24 HR Systems Survey White PaperInstagram | Twitter | LinkedInTeri ZipperInstagram | Twitter | LinkedIn Jeanne AchilleLinkedInDevon GroupInstagram | LinkedIn 

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 resolutionswe set, and discuss how we’ve grown—both as individuals and as a team. Whetheryou’ve been on this journey with us all year or are tuning in for the firsttime, 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 togetherand set the stage for an even brighter 2025!

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 GroupDownload the 2023-24 HR Systems Survey White PaperInstagram | Twitter | LinkedInStacey HarrisInstagram | X | LinkedInCliff StevensonX | LinkedIn