Artificial intelligence tools offer the human resources landscape new ways to drive organizational success, but simply adopting technology is not enough. It must be strategically integrated into the broader talent strategy, forming what we call the Golden-Threaded HR Tech Stack.
 

The Golden Thread links HR technology to the overarching talent strategy. It involves choosing, using and optimizing tech solutions that improve HR functions and help the organizations adapt and change. This approach ensures that every new technology has a clear role and supports the overall strategic goals of the HR department.

Becoming a Technologist in HR

In the past, HR technology was limited to monolithic HRM companies, but today's landscape is characterized by many small vendors offering specialized AI tools that can be seamlessly integrated into existing HRM platforms, providing solutions for various HR needs, from candidate matching to talent mobility.

To effectively implement the Golden Thread approach, HR professionals need to become technologists, staying abreast of the latest technologies, understanding their potential impact on HR functions and knowing how to leverage them for strategic advantage. With the rise of advanced tech like Generative AI, these skills are increasingly important for HR professionals.

The Tech Parade

Building a Golden-Threaded HR Tech Stack requires HR professionals to pinpoint the specific problems they aim to solve and choose technologies that align with their talent goals. Without this clarity, you risk adopting a tool that doesn't address your needs, leading to lower adoption rates and integration challenges.

Here are additional criteria to consider:

• When considering new HR tech, cautiously trust what the vendor promises about future updates or features.
• Check references from other companies in your industry.
• Conduct comparative demos of different technologies.
• Understand the limitations of your current tech focus and how new tools can complement it.
• Keep the employee experience at the forefront of your decision-making.
• Obtain a comprehensive understanding of the tool's potential custom integrations.
• Be decisive; while there will always be new technologies emerging, it's important to make informed decisions and not delay implementation unnecessarily.
• Tie the tool’s performance to the agreed standards in the contract to ensure accountability.

Additionally, continually monitor the rapidly evolving tech landscape, maintain ongoing conversations with potential vendors to stay informed and ensure your tech stack remains optimized for your organization's needs.

Addressing Resistance and Fear of Technology

New technologies often are met with resistance, so it’s important to show that technology is meant to augment, not replace, human capabilities. By focusing on how technology can improve the employee experience and drive better business results, HR professionals can alleviate fears and garner support for technology adoption. Culture and leadership play a significant role in successful technology adoption. Great leadership drives a great culture, which, in turn, drives performance. HR professionals must ensure that technology aligns with the organization's values and goals, emphasizing how it empowers employees and transforms their experience through data.

Leveraging Data for Strategic HR Management

Data is the future of talent strategy. HR professionals must use AI to combine data from platforms like Mosaic, BetterUp and Thrive Pulse Surveys to gain valuable insights into employee preferences and tailor talent strategies accordingly.

This golden age of HR technology presents a wealth of opportunities for HR professionals to transform their organizations. By adopting the Golden Thread approach to technology integration, HR can leverage technology to bolster strategic HR management, enhance the employee experience and achieve better business results.

Author Bio

Three-time CHRO, Larry McAlister is distinguished as a career-long innovator and natural-born leader in the HR space. Most recently serving as VP of Global Talent at NetApp, and named in the Top 50 Human Resources Professional Awards (OnConferences, 2021), Larry is consistently sought after to bring transformation and thought leadership — including evolving HR itself, as needed. Larry currently runs The Corporate Humanist Consultancy (CHC), advising on tech-based products-in-development and helping CHROs and growth-minded leaders build cohesive (and transformative) talent strategies, coupled with HR technology, to drive transformation.

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