Episodes

  • Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Updates from isolved Connect for Partners and Dayforce Summit 2025, plus recent acquisitions and discussions around advances in managing contingent workforces and shifts in employee are learning for the future.

    Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Updates from isolved Connect for Partners and Dayforce Summit 2025, plus recent acquisitions and discussions around advances in managing contingent workforces and shifts in employee are learning for the future.
    Jun 26 2025
    In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson provide updates on two recent industry events, just-announced acquisitions and partnerships, and shifting trends in areas such as managing contingent workers, learning approaches to equip employees with AI skills, and a new way to manage and govern AI across enterprise tech. Key points covered include: Cliff provides an update from the isolved Connect for Partners event in Las Vegas, which brought together hundreds of partners to network and collaborate, gain product insights, and learn about isolved’s product roadmaps. Stacey highlights parts of her presentation at the Dayforce Summit 2025 in Dallas and shares other news, including the recent announcement that the Government of Canada is moving forward with the adoption of Dayforce’s HR and pay solutions. ↪️ Beeline’s acquisition of MBO Partners demonstrates Beeline’s commitment to providing a workforce management solution that addresses all types of employees, including contingent workers, freelancers, and consultants, within a unified platform. ↪️ Stacey and Cliff talk about the emerging market entrant Lana AI, which gives companies the ability to “import” blocks of functionality from disparate HR solutions to provide a unified, AI-supported employee engagement platform with advanced analytics. The company recognizes a need to not only unify systems across the enterprise but to also implement and govern AI across functional areas such as recruiting, employee engagement, and skills development. ↪️ Greenhouse's partnership with Clear1 introduces airport-style identity verification to candidate screening. Stacey and Cliff discuss the advantages of integrating Clear1 with Greenhouse’s hiring platform, especially now with the growing trend of AI-generated resumes and fake candidates; they also talk about the debate over though the debate over potential bias and privacy in the verification process. ↪️ The 28th Annual HR System Survey is LIVE. In addition to covering all segments of HR tech, the survey will delve into new areas such as contingent workforces and the confluence of work and HR tech. All participants will get a complimentary copy of the final report. Take the report today https://sapientinsights.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3CAEkoe5QFNOEoC?SOURCE=SIGPodcast&ID=156 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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    58 mins
  • HR, We Have a Problem - From barrier to competitive edge: How forward-thinking employers are discovering that most disability accommodations cost under $500 and deliver outsized returns on talent acquisition.

    HR, We Have a Problem - From barrier to competitive edge: How forward-thinking employers are discovering that most disability accommodations cost under $500 and deliver outsized returns on talent acquisition.
    Jun 19 2025
    In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and guest Sue Ruzenski, CEO of Helen Keller Services, discuss employment opportunities and workplace accommodations for people who are blind, have low vision, or are deaf-blind. They tackle how organizations can better support these talented individuals through practical accommodations that typically cost less than $500 per employee. This conversation explores available resources, assistive technologies, and how employment specialists can bridge the gap between job seekers and employers nationwide. Key points covered include: ↪️ Most workplace accommodations for employees with vision or hearing loss cost under $500, making inclusion accessible for organizations of all sizes. ↪️ AI-powered glasses, navigation apps, and adaptive software are creating new opportunities for independence and workplace success. ↪️ The biggest barrier to employment success is employer assumptions about what's possible, rather than the actual accessibility challenges. ↪️ Remote work opportunities have created new possibilities for independence and career success within this community. The 28th Annual HR System Survey is LIVE. In addition to covering all segments of HR tech, the survey will delve into new areas such as contingent workforces and the confluence of work and HR tech. All participants will get a complimentary copy of the final report. Take the report today https://sapientinsights.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3CAEkoe5QFNOEoC?SOURCE=SIGPodcast&ID=156 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 Helen Keller Services LinkedIn
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    39 mins
  • Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Major acquisitions and AI breakthroughs signal HR tech's most accelerated period since 2010.

    Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - Major acquisitions and AI breakthroughs signal HR tech's most accelerated period since 2010.
    Jun 12 2025
    In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson explore the accelerating pace of change in the HR tech industry, comparing current market activity to pivotal moments including 2010-2011 and post-COVID periods. The discussion covers a wave of significant mergers and acquisitions, including UKG's acquisition of Shiftboard and major funding rounds like Grammarly's $1 billion raise and Awardco joining the unicorn club. They also examine how AI is moving beyond basic automation toward evaluation and analysis capabilities, with companies like Cornerstone, Anaplan, and others embedding AI into their core platforms while addressing limitations and errors. Key points covered include: ↪️ UKG acquires Shiftboard for skills-based scheduling in energy/manufacturing, while Acrisure bought Heartland Payroll and Intuit acquired GoCo to expand market reach. ↪️ Multiple vendors are moving into strategic workforce planning by 2026, with growing emphasis on bridging the gap between HR and finance functions through better planning systems. ↪️ Leading vendors like Cornerstone are being transparent about AI limitations, including hallucinations, while focusing on practical applications and providing clear warnings about accuracy checks rather than promising perfect solutions. ↪️ Key leadership changes include Jura Slattery joining isolved as Chief Customer Officer and Michael Flannery becoming CEO at Daxtra, reflecting companies' focus on customer experience and data-driven solutions. ↪️ The 28th Annual HR System Survey is LIVE. In addition to covering all segments of HR tech, the survey will delve into new areas such as contingent workforces and the confluence of work and HR tech. All participants will get a complimentary copy of the final report. Take the report today https://sapientinsights.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3CAEkoe5QFNOEoC?SOURCE=SIGPodcast&ID=156 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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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • HR, We Have a Problem - Why only 16% of employees are thriving at work and how personalized wellbeing strategies beat the one-size-fits-all approach.

    HR, We Have a Problem - Why only 16% of employees are thriving at work and how personalized wellbeing strategies beat the one-size-fits-all approach.
    Jun 5 2025
    In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem Teri Zipper and guest Kelly Mackin, Co-Founder and CEO of Motives Met and author of “Work Life Well-Lived: The Motives Met Pathway to No-B.S. Well-Being at Work,” discuss her research identifying 28 psychological and emotional "motives" that drive thriving at work, revealing that only 16% of people are truly thriving in their professional lives. The conversation explores how wellbeing is highly individualized, with different needs taking priority for each person across various seasons of life. Key points covered include: ↪️ Work-life harmony is just one of 28 motives that influence workplace wellbeing, and people are either "integrators" who blend work and personal life or "separators" who prefer clear boundaries. ↪️ Creating a thriving workplace culture requires co-creation, with leaders setting the tone but everyone taking responsibility. ↪️ 63% of people fear expressing emotions like stress or frustration at work, contributing to environments of toxic positivity. ↪️ Individuals can take control of their workplace wellbeing by identifying their top motives, developing an action plan, and asking for what they need. 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 Kelly Mackin Instagram | LinkedIn Motives Met LinkedIn
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    45 mins
  • Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - LIVE from UKG’s Analyst Day; BREAKING News: Federal Judge Allows Hiring Discrimination Lawsuit Against Workday to Proceed + Moderna's Decision to Combine Responsibility for HR and Digital Technology

    Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - LIVE from UKG’s Analyst Day; BREAKING News: Federal Judge Allows Hiring Discrimination Lawsuit Against Workday to Proceed + Moderna's Decision to Combine Responsibility for HR and Digital Technology
    May 29 2025
    In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson discuss UKG's major cultural transformation under CEO Jennifer Morgan and discuss how the company is moving from reactive to proactive customer service while targeting double-digit growth in the enterprise market. This conversation also covers Moderna's decision to combine its CHRO and IT leadership roles in an effort to align talent and tech to create an adaptive, AI-ready organization. Key points covered include: ↪️ UKG’s new CEO Jennifer Morgan's transparent approach to addressing cultural and customer challenges related to recent acquisitions while pursuing double-digit growth and strategic partnerships. . ↪️ Industry experts warn against over-reliance on external benchmarks, advocating for organizational DNA-based decision making as AI systems risk homogenizing company cultures ↪️ A federal judge allowed a hiring discrimination lawsuit against Workday to proceed as a collective action, potentially opening floodgates for similar cases based on algorithmic biases in hiring software. ↪️ Work Human is now helping its customers use data for purposes beyond employee recognition, including for employee network analysis, identification of future leaders, and skills mapping; its expanded partnership strategy is a reflection of the broader ways AI and employee data can be used across an organization. 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 StevensonTwitter | LinkedIn
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    56 mins
  • HR, We Have a Problem - Pivot or Perish: Why organizational agility is your competitive advantage.

    HR, We Have a Problem - Pivot or Perish: Why organizational agility is your competitive advantage.
    May 22 2025
    In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, host Teri Zipper and industry veteran Steve Goldberg explore organizational agility as a critical pathway to business success in today's fluid, unpredictable environment. Drawing from decades of experience across investment banks and HR tech leadership roles, Goldberg shares his "Ascension Test" framework for how companies can rise within their industry ranks through strategic pivoting and effective change management. The conversation dives into why many transformations fail despite good intentions, highlighting the delicate balance between technological implementation and human adaptation. Key points covered include: ↪️ Transformation requires addressing "the three Cs": candor, clarity, and communication—especially when explaining the "why" and "why now" behind changes. ↪️ Human capital management must be owned across the organization, not just within HR departments, to enable true agility. ↪️ Change readiness extends beyond process updates to include mindset shifts and leadership demonstrating genuine commitment. ↪️ Historically, companies rarely ascend industry ranks through cost-cutting alone—true advancement comes through enhanced agility and innovation. 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 Steve Goldberg LinkedIn
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    40 mins
  • Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - A recap of major tech conferences, ServiceNow's UKG partnership to integrate AI agents, and how AI is affecting ageism across industries - starting at age 29 in tech.

    Spilling the Tea on HR Tech - A recap of major tech conferences, ServiceNow's UKG partnership to integrate AI agents, and how AI is affecting ageism across industries - starting at age 29 in tech.
    May 16 2025
    In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson recap what they learned at recent major HR tech events, including Unleash America. The conversation also explores what’s behind ServiceNow's just-announced partnership with UKG to integrate UKG AI agents with ServiceNow’s AI Agent Fabric and the latest updates on Oracle’s product and marketing strategy, gleaned from its recent Analytics and Data Summit. This episode also covers critical workplace issues, including how AI is affecting ageism bias, Microsoft's new policy to give under-performing employees a choice between a PIP and a severance package, and the urgent need for organizations to establish proper norms around AI-generated work. Key points covered include: ↪️ By working with tech companies such as NVIDIA, Microsoft, and Google, ServiceNow is set to give organizations the ability to integrate AI agents from any implemented AI tool with ServiceNow’s AI Agent Fabric, allowing AI agents to collaborate across solutions. ↪️ Workday secures a $342,000 government contract with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to modernize the agency’s HR system. The contract, which has drawn some criticism because of the closed bidding process, potentially positions Workday for broader work across the federal government. ↪️ The rise of AI and related skills are accelerating ageism in the workplace; in fact, ageism bias in tech companies can begin as early as 29. ↪️ No, Microsoft isn’t getting rid of performance improvement plans; rather the company is now giving employees a choice to work under a traditional PIP or accept a 16-week severance package. There’s much more to this far-reaching 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 StevensonTwitter | LinkedIn
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • HR, We Have a Problem - How to personalize the employee experience and why the one-size-fits-all engagement strategy no longer works.

    HR, We Have a Problem - How to personalize the employee experience and why the one-size-fits-all engagement strategy no longer works.
    May 8 2025
    In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and seasoned HR executive Pam Myers discuss practical guidance for HR professionals navigating today's changing workplace dynamics, including remote work challenges and mergers & acquisitions. They also cover the critical role leadership plays in creating positive workplace cultures and how data analytics can help organizations become more proactive in addressing employee needs. Key points covered include: ↪️ Employee engagement has evolved from basic job satisfaction to a more individualized approach that considers career paths, social connections, and personal values. ↪️ Leadership that prioritizes autonomy, personal connection, and development opportunities creates stronger workplace cultures. ↪️ Data analytics and AI are creating opportunities for more predictive and personalized approaches to employee engagement. ↪️ The future of employee experience will become increasingly personalized through technology, meeting employees where they are in both their professional and personal life cycles. 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 Pam Myers LinkedIn
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    42 mins