Episodes

  • 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.

    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.
    Jan 16 2025
    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 Download the 2023-24 HR Systems Survey White Paper Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn Teri Zipper Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn Jeanne Achille LinkedIn Devon Group Instagram | LinkedIn
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    42 mins
  • HR, We have a Problem - Special episode with the Sapient Insights Group team

    HR, We have a Problem - Special episode with the Sapient Insights Group team
    Jan 13 2025
    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!
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    52 mins
  • Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - HR Tech in 2025: Major mergers, net neutrality, and much, much more

    Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - HR Tech in 2025: Major mergers, net neutrality, and much, much more
    Jan 9 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 Group Download the 2023-24 HR Systems Survey White Paper Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn Stacey Harris Instagram | X | LinkedIn Cliff Stevenson X | LinkedIn
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    51 mins
  • HR, We Have a Problem - How to build a successful HR tech strategy through stakeholder buy-in and system integration.

    HR, We Have a Problem - How to build a successful HR tech strategy through stakeholder buy-in and system integration.
    Dec 19 2024
    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 Download the 2023-24 HR Systems Survey White Paper Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn Teri Zipper Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn Michelle Stewart LinkedIn Federated Co-operatives Limited Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn
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    42 mins
  • Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - HR Tech Giants Announce Major Leadership Changes & Product Launches

    Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - HR Tech Giants Announce Major Leadership Changes & Product Launches
    Dec 12 2024
    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 Download the 2023-24 HR Systems Survey White Paper Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn Stacey Harris Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn Cliff Stevenson Twitter | LinkedIn
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    46 mins
  • HR, We Have a Problem - Mind the Gap: Solving HR's technology integration challenge.

    HR, We Have a Problem - Mind the Gap: Solving HR's technology integration challenge.
    Dec 4 2024
    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 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.
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    42 mins
  • HR, We Have a Problem - From resistance to results: Building a change-ready organization.

    HR, We Have a Problem - From resistance to results: Building a change-ready organization.
    Nov 21 2024
    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. 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 Download the 2023-24 HR Systems Survey White Paper Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn Teri Zipper Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn Jennifer Congdon LinkedIn M Financial Group Twitter | LinkedIn
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    46 mins
  • Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - HR Tech leadership shakeup, including UKG's new C-Suite, PageUp's acquisition, and ServiceNow's bold moves.

    Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - HR Tech leadership shakeup, including UKG's new C-Suite, PageUp's acquisition, and ServiceNow's bold moves.
    Nov 19 2024
    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. 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 Download the 2024-25 HR Systems Survey White Pape Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn Stacey Harris Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn Cliff Stevenson Twitter | LinkedIn | Bluesky
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    40 mins