With #HRTF15 wrapping up for another year, here are our best moments from the conference. There were so many great speakers, amazing new products, and discussions to be had with other HR pros. Here are just some of the biggest topics talked about and what was being shared on Twitter about each:
1. HR systems need to be integrated to be effective.
HR departments are using so many different programs now that transition needs to feel seamless. Redundant entry of data needs to be eliminated, and systems need to be simplified. Too many HR departments are used to dealing with a dog’s breakfast of over-complicated programs,
Too many HR departments are used to dealing with a dog’s breakfast of over-complicated programs, poor integration, and needlessly complex systems.
Too many companies are using a dog’s breakfast of HR software. You can’t move into the digital economy with this mess. @BrianSSommer #HRTF15
— Steven Ford (@wattsnextSteven) November 30, 2015
The dogs breakfast of HR systems … Looks familiar @lm10003 #HRTF15 pic.twitter.com/vjFIp1aXdV — Ant Hall (@AntHallNZ) November 30, 2015
Closed API is a board game & an open API is a deck of cards, u can play a lot more games with a deck of cards! #HRTF15
— Ben Watts (@wattsnextBen) November 30, 2015
2. Technology and employer branding can ease the hiring manager’s burden
Bill Boorman gave a great talk on the modern challenges of a hiring manager: Over application by unsuitable candidates, and the deteriorating relationship between talent acquisition and hiring managers. Hiring managers need more project management skills to improve time management on each vacancy, employer branding and accurate messaging get the right applicants to apply, and
Hiring managers need more project management skills to improve time management on each vacancy, employer branding and accurate messaging get the right applicants to apply, and
Hiring managers need more project management skills to improve time management on each vacancy, employer branding and accurate messaging get the right applicants to apply, and technology help ease the workload of hiring managers sifting through CVs to find the right applicants.
Recruitment is pure project management. We should all be educated on pm methodologies and our job would be easier #hrtf15 — Dale Clareburt (@DaleClareburt) November 30, 2015
#HRTF15 @BillBoorman says recruiters need to put in SLAs with Hiring Managers! pic.twitter.com/8B3wBvW1J7
— Juhi King (@hrtechgirl) November 30, 2015
3. Selecting HR tech that matters
Know what you’re looking for in HR tech before you make a purchasing decision. Cutting through the hype and finding systems that matter helps to deliver value to your organisation.
Delivering the right systems will make it easier to implement additional HR tech in the future. Take the time to decide what you want, and look past the bells and whistles to check the tech will deliver what you need.
What measurements will get people’s attention? Good start to HR metrics. I like ones my Execs will pay attn to! #HRTF15 — Tim Sackett SCP,SPHR (@TimSackett) November 29, 2015
A great vendor will help you learn in your sandbox so your playtime is fully productive #HRTF15 https://t.co/O6GyYhq0eu
— Pay Compliment (@paycompliment) November 30, 2015
“If lots of user training is required then the system isn’t simple enough”. Your HR Tech has to be awesome at a tech co like @MYOB #HRTF15 — Michael Sleap (@michaelsleap) November 30, 2015
4. Creating organisations that work with people
Technology is evolving at a rapid pace, and it is easy for organisations to get caught up in the technological wave. Organisations need to keep their workplaces human and operate in a way that makes sense. How much of
How much of the human touch is kept as we adopt more technology will be what makes the difference for vendors and organisations as the movement to more technology takes hold.
Highly configurable is often code for – you need to do a lot of work to build this! Hello complexity 🙂 #HRTF15
— Pauline Tarrant (@PaulineTarrant) November 30, 2015
A cloud solution deployment is an opportunity to change your processes. Good point. Not a new way of doing old stuff #HRTF15 — Richard Westney (@HRManNZ) November 30, 2015
5. Change management makes HR tech initiatives stick
Convincing decision makers to purchase HR tech is only part of the challenge. You then need to convince the organisation to use it. Have change management strategies in place to control the
Have change management strategies in place to control the adoption of new technology, and ensure it is being used by all the key stakeholders in the organisation. The best HR tech only adds value when it is being used to its full potential.
The best HR tech only adds value when it is being used to its full potential.
Don’t automate a crap process – HR tech is an opportunity for positive change #HRTF15 — Pauline Tarrant (@PaulineTarrant) December 1, 2015
The @Presenceofit ESC framework helps our clients with socialHR tech to drive culture change not just system #HRTF15 pic.twitter.com/mj5IkOW1TS — Rebecca Hatten (@BecHat10) December 1, 2015
Start with ALL the pain points when creating case for change @BrianSSommer #HRTF15 pic.twitter.com/MuSQviioxM — Clementine Wong (@ClementineWong) December 1, 2015
6. HR should embrace social media
Social media is no longer the domain of the millennial in the marketing department. HR needs to be on social media, and looking at employees active on social platforms. Social media is an opportunity for HR to engage with employees, promote the
Social media is an opportunity for HR to engage with employees, promote the employer brand for candidates, and turn people into company evangelists.
Social media is an easy medium for people to become advocates for your organisation’s brand.
Social HR should have agreed KPIs / metrics for measuring success – don’t rely on anecdotal evidence to drive uptake #HRTF15 @Presenceofit — Rebecca Hatten (@BecHat10) December 1, 2015
Social media policy? 4 words “don’t do dumb stuff” says @HassanahRudd #HRTF15 — Richard Westney (@HRManNZ) December 1, 2015
#Socialmedia is fun and can be part of your job! Make it work for you! Business should recognise it #employerbrand #embracesocial #HRTF15 — Steph Snedden (@steph_sneddz) December 1, 2015
7. HR must become a multi-disciplinary asset
Digital forces are shaping HR in ways like never before. HR needs to keep up with the latest innovations in every area of the organisation. HR should become the department to find new tech to implement in the organisation and be the one to undertake extensive testing of each new initiative. Finding new tech and innovating new process is a new area where
HR should become the department to find new tech to implement in the organisation and be the one to undertake extensive testing of each new initiative. Finding
Finding new tech and innovating new process is a new area where HR can add value to the organisation.
Excellent and challenging session by @BrianSSommer #HRTF15 pic.twitter.com/s84tVTKOdD — Clementine Wong (@ClementineWong) November 30, 2015
To change or not to change- tough, but not an option #HRTF15 pic.twitter.com/l8hmCy9Hxn — Heather Polglase (@PolglaseHeather) November 30, 2015
8. Data is the new oil
Data is fast becoming the most valuable resource for organisations. The more that can be recorded, the more that can be used to make business decisions.
Bill Boorman gave another insightful talk on the need to track data, and now deep HR needs to aggregate to be able to bring value to the organisation.
The best starting point is to choose the right software. Bill stressed the need for organisations to ensure software is right for them, and that the data is relevant.
Rigorous selection processes, customising software to suit the needs of the business, and recording every possible piece of data is the start of the new, data-driven HR.
We keep buying stupid things – if we want HR to be at its best we need to fix this! #HRTF15 — Pauline Tarrant (@PaulineTarrant) December 1, 2015
You will always get the #hrtech you deserve, because you buy it. Nice. @BillBoorman #hrtf15 — Dale Clareburt (@DaleClareburt) December 1, 2015
In case anyone didn’t realise @billboorman is really interested in #opensource #hrtf15 — Weirdly (@WeirdlyHub) December 1, 2015
9. More innovation is happening in the HR Tech space than ever before
One of the biggest talking points at the conference was on the increased number of startups attending.
Presenters and attendees alike discussed how startups are able to take greater risks in the HR space, create more innovative niche products, and close in on new markets faster than the existing big enterprises.
There are more options for HR departments than ever before, and HR departments should be on the lookout for as many new solutions as possible.
It’s more than likely that a pain point in your process has been fixed by a tech startup you haven’t even heard of yet.
@mattalder has never seen so many startups in the #HRTech industry #HRTF15 — Katie Hamilton (@wattsnextKatie) December 1, 2015
Start ups in HR Tech give opportunity to experiment with small stuff more frequently with minimal risk #HRTF15 — Hassanah Rudd (@HassanahRudd) December 1, 2015
Agree. Not enough businesses trying new tech via pilots or small cohorts. The business case is easier if you can see the value #HRTF15 — Peter Forbes (@peterforbes) December 1, 2015
10. #Appgirl was trending almost as much as #HRTF15
HROnboard’s Anne was featured on the official app for HR Tech Fest, which has slingshotted her to the ranks of a viral superstar.
Attendees of HR Tech Fest were star struck when they were given the chance to share drinks with the internet sensation, and lines were around the block to get her autograph on day two of the event.
What’s ‘appening, @AnneFromTheWall? Our very own Anne is the face of the #HRTF15 #app pic.twitter.com/CfA1fDT77K — HROnboard (@HROnboard) November 29, 2015
@saassalesleader @HROnboard great to have a photo with #appgirl — Pauline Tarrant (@PaulineTarrant) November 30, 2015
Come and see #appgirl at the @HROnboard booth today for an autograph! #hrtf15 pic.twitter.com/ifoLfvZJ5C — Rob Cassidy (@saassalesleader) November 30, 2015
@saassalesleader @HROnboard #appgirl! !! — Sarah Moore (@sarahjanechilds) November 30, 2015
@saassalesleader @hronboard Go #appgirl — Weirdly (@WeirdlyHub) December 1, 2015
Don’t worry if you didn’t get to our stand to meet #appgirl. Book your demo of HROnboard today and have a personalised demonstration by #appgirl herself.