AI is here to stay and it’s already impacting People Operations. But it’s not the only thing on the minds of today’s HR professionals (or in their evolving HR tech stacks).
To stay ahead in this environment, HR professionals must leverage the right technology and the right mindset to rise to new challenges.
This was the theme of this year’s HR Tech Summit Canada, where Giftbit CEO Leif Baradoy was joined by leaders from across the HR Technology spectrum.
Through a series of fast-paced tech talks, these thought leaders shared new options for cutting-edge Human Resources tech—along with insights on how best to implement any type of new software to your organization.
Here are six ways they see HR evolving today, along with how technology can support these emerging trends.
Rethinking collaboration and culture is essential now that hybrid work models are increasingly the norm.
According to Greg Ward, Talent Development Director at Microsoft Canada, hybrid organizations can strengthen team cohesion by using the office for ‘moments that matter.’ This means using in-office time strategically for activities like team lunches and onboarding, bringing people together to create those connections that just don’t happen the same way in video calls.
Pro-tip: Individual digital gift cards to restaurants and meal delivery services like UberEats are a great way to finance team lunches and give employees a little perk at the same time. Here’s Giftbit’s full employee rewards catalog.
Of course we need the right technology to bridge the gap between remote and in-person work, ensuring seamless collaboration. Platforms supporting hybrid environments help manage these crucial interactions. This also highlights the need for streamlined software that integrates with your existing workflows.
But beyond technology, leadership engagement is critical for building a positive and collaborative culture. Leaders must actively collaborate with HR to drive initiatives supporting a high-performance organization.
So what can HR managers do to support their leadership? Ward stresses that you can’t just send out one employee engagement survey a year and think your work is done. For example, Microsoft sends daily opt-in surveys to a random sample of 2,500 employees.
Of course, Microsoft also has over 180,000 employees in over 100 countries. But while smaller companies might not need daily surveys, more is always better. Keep your surveys anonymous, of course, and encourage your employees to be honest and candid in their responses.
Pro-tip: If you’re struggling with low survey responses, check out our guide to increasing employee survey results.
It’s not just collaboration and culture that took a hit with the sudden pivot to hybrid and remote working. So too did our understanding of productivity, and where and how people do their best work.
Specifically, Ward highlights the importance of addressing 'productivity paranoia,' where leaders worry about remote workers' efficiency. ‘Paranoia’ is the right term here, because we now have crystal clear data that proves that when people want to work from home, they’re able to be just as productive as their in-office counterparts.
Rethinking productivity should involve shifting the focus from hours worked to output and impact. By measuring productivity based on results, leaders can foster a culture of trust and accountability. This shift also helps create an environment where employees feel valued and motivated.
Beyond addressing productivity paranoia, the Summit’s thought leaders also highlighted several more ways HR initiatives can support productivity.
For example, Ward suggests using the office for strategic interactions like onboarding and project kick-offs are more effective in person. Again, these 'moments that matter' help teams connect and accelerate progress.
Of course AI can play a crucial role in boosting productivity. Leaders should approach AI implementation with the intent to enhance productivity, not replace jobs. By automating routine tasks, it allows employees to focus more time on high-value activities.
Digital overload is a real concern in today's workplace, which can really drain productivity and morale. Streamlined HR tech software like Giftbit, Hireguide, and Rippling