Digital HR Leaders with David Green

Is your HR tech stack fixing real business problems, or just fuelling the shiny object hype? With new HR technologies arriving faster than ever, many organisations are quick to jump on the next big thing. But in the rush to modernise, are we losing sight of the real business problems we’re meant to be solving? In this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, host David Green is joined by Matthew Brown, Director of Research, HCM at ISG, whose diverse career spans practitioner, former Chief People Officer, and now respected industry analyst. And together they tackle a fundamental question: Are we truly leveraging HR technology to create business value, or are we just keeping up with trends? Tune in and join them as they explore:  Why the disconnect between HR and tech adoption persists, and how to bridge it The risks of adopting AI without clear business purpose Why data quality remains an overlooked but critical obstacle What HR tech vendors should be doing to ethically upskill their customers When reimplementation of existing systems may be a smarter choice than replacement How to distinguish genuine tech partners from transactional vendors If you’re questioning whether your HR tech strategy is driving real results or just driving activity, this conversation, sponsored by HiBob, offers timely insight, practical guidance, and fresh perspective from both sides of the industry. HiBob is a fast-growing new leader in the HCM market. In fact, according to HR tech guru Josh Bersin, HiBob is one of the few SaaS companies that have successfully cracked the code on user experience.   Josh Bersin says that Bob is not only feature-rich but genuinely enjoyable to use.   Read his review of Bob--as an HR tech analyst and user--at www.hibob.com/davidgreen2025.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it really take to build an HR function that’s agile, data-driven, and truly influential at the top table? In this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, host David Green speaks with Janine Vos, Chief Human Resources Officer and Managing Board Member at Rabobank to explore how she has led her team through a significant transformation - shaping an HR function that not only keeps pace with business change, but helps lead it. From embedding agility into the day-to-day to using data as a lever for influence, Janine shares the strategies that have helped her team earn credibility and drive impact. Join them, as they discuss: What being agile actually looks like in practice, and how Rabobank brought it to life How to shift behaviours and mindsets to support new ways of working Why data is only powerful when it’s paired with trust and strong relationships How Janine helps her team move beyond the numbers to tell meaningful stories The value of having people analytics report directly to the CHRO - and what others may be missing What HR leaders need to prioritise today to stay relevant tomorrow Whether you're leading transformation or seeking to add more strategic business value, this episode sponsored by HiBob, offers practical insights and forward-thinking strategies to help you navigate what's next. HiBob is a fast-growing new leader in the HCM market. In fact, according to HR tech guru Josh Bersin, HiBob is one of the few SaaS companies that have successfully cracked the code on user experience.   Josh Bersin says that Bob is not only feature-rich but genuinely enjoyable to use.   Read his review of Bob--as an HR tech analyst and user--at www.hibob.com/davidgreen2025.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How is AI redefining the HR operating model we’ve known for decades? With AI redefining how work gets done, the pressure is mounting to move beyond legacy structures and rethink HR from the ground up. The traditional three-pillar model is being pushed to its limits, and a new, work-centric, product-driven approach is emerging. To discuss this in more detail, in this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, host David Green is joined by Volker Jacobs, CEO and Founder of TI People, an organisation at the forefront of helping enterprises transform to innovate people’s work. Drawing from TI People’s latest groundbreaking research, Volker unpacks how AI is reshaping HR roles, structures, and mindsets - and why it's time to move beyond services toward building HR "products" that solve real work problems. Join them, as they uncover: Why the classic three-pillar HR model is under pressure - and what might replace it The three ways AI is transforming HR: efficiency, innovation, and personalisation Which HR roles are being disrupted most, and what that means for team design What a product-oriented approach to HR looks like in practice The mindset and cultural shifts needed to make this transition stick Where HR leaders can start today, without overhauling everything at once Whether you're leading transformation or just beginning to explore what AI means for your HR model, this episode sponsored by HiBob offers practical insights and forward-thinking strategies to help you navigate what's next. Click here to access the full report.  HiBob is a fast-growing new leader in the HCM market. In fact, according to HR tech guru Josh Bersin, HiBob is one of the few SaaS companies that have successfully cracked the code on user experience.  Josh Bersin says that Bob is not only feature-rich but genuinely enjoyable to use.  Read his review of Bob--as an HR tech analyst and user--at www.hibob.com/davidgreen2025.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this engaging discussion, Dave Ulrich, Co-Founder of The RBL Group and the father of modern HR, explores how HR can become a strategic leader in business. He addresses the complexities HR faces and offers insights into overcoming barriers for greater impact. Key topics include aligning HR with stakeholder value, the critical metrics that matter, and how AI can both support and distract from HR's mission. Ulrich encourages HR leaders to adopt proactive strategies that expand their influence beyond internal stakeholders.

In this discussion, Dean Carter, former Chief People Officer at Patagonia and founder of Modern Executive Solutions, shares his insights on the transformative power of people analytics in HR. He reveals how his analytical awakening reshaped HR strategies and emphasizes the need for HR to lead with data. Dean explains the impact of renaming his team to 'Insights and Outcomes' and advocates for reclaiming workforce planning as a strategic lever. Plus, he highlights the success of Patagonia's four-day workweek in enhancing productivity and employee well-being.

In this insightful discussion, Kevin Heinzelman, SVP of Product at Workhuman, delves into the harmonious coexistence of AI and human intelligence in the workplace. He emphasizes the importance of a human-first approach, ensuring that technology supports rather than replaces people. Topics include how HR can maintain control over AI processes, the role of recognition in enhancing company culture, and practical strategies to navigate ethical concerns and biases in AI. Join them as they explore embedding empathy and responsibility into the evolving HR landscape.

Alan Susi, Vice-President and Global Head of Organisational Analytics and People Insights at S&P Global, discusses the revolutionary approach to workforce planning at S&P. He emphasizes integrating workforce strategies with core business decision-making, particularly through collaboration with finance. The conversation highlights the role of AI in shaping future planning, the need for agility amid rapid change, and balancing short-term and long-term workforce health. Susi shares insights on fostering trust and empathy in upskilling employees for a tech-driven landscape.

In a compelling discussion, Erik Schultink, CTO and Co-Founder of Worklytics, delves into the challenges of proving AI's value in the workplace. He emphasizes the need for data-driven insights to enhance AI adoption and explores the pivotal role of people analytics teams. Erik highlights how leading organizations integrate AI into workflows, the unintended consequences on productivity, and the significance of Organizational Network Analysis. He provides actionable strategies for HR leaders to create an impactful, people-first approach to AI.

Ashish Parulekar, Director of Data Science and Global Head of Talent Acquisition Analytics at Amazon, sheds light on scaling talent acquisition at a massive scale. He discusses how Amazon leverages data and advanced analytics to hire smartly and fairly across diverse roles. The conversation dives into optimizing high-volume hiring with technology, the importance of machine learning, and maintaining a human touch in decisions. Parulekar also emphasizes the critical skills for professionals in people analytics and the evolving landscape of careers in this field.

Annie Dean, Vice President of Workplace and Future of Work Transformation at Atlassian, shares insights from their journey as a distributed company. She discusses how behavioral science and AI are reshaping workplace dynamics, revealing that AI power users save up to 7 hours a week. The conversation highlights the benefits of asynchronous collaboration for productivity and well-being, alongside lessons learned from five years of flexible work. Dean also provides strategies for integrating AI into team workflows and emphasizes the need for data-driven flexibility in HR.