'The Last Mile'

“The Last Mile” is the gulf between technology and users. When new tools are designed and introduced, details like training, the end-user’s background and work environment often delay adoption. HR practitioners are presented with analytics packages that assume they understand data science, or deskless employees are discouraged from tapping into their employer’s social tools during working hours. These are real problems that have a real impact on HCM technology’s success. We dig into these issues here.

For a while, now, it’s seemed to me that at some point, the Learning and HR functions are going to become one. The increasingly dynamic, near-real-time approaches to performance management will be the primary driver, followed by the growth of experiential learning. A logical way for organizations to start...
With the unemployment rate below 5 percent and employers continually bemoaning a talent shortage that is, in the words of ADP Vice President of Strategic Advisory Services Susan Hanold, "lasting longer than anyone expected," HR departments are feeling the pressure to increase both hiring and retention rates. You'd think that...
A study by LendEDU, which is in the business of refinancing student loans, found that despite Gen Y's and Gen Z's penchant for technology, they'd rather deal with a human beings than robo-advisors when it comes to getting financial advice. With the Blade Runner sequel now hitting old-fashioned theaters--you know, the...
For obvious reasons, communicating with deskless employees is more difficult than reaching those who occupy the same seat every day. And despite the hype, mobile platforms won’t provide the complete solution. Communications is a big piece of the engagement puzzle. When you’re not in touch, warehouse workers, field technicians, drivers...
HR analysts and commentators might help practitioners and CHROs more if they spent less time talking inside baseball and more time thinking about what employers actually need to get done. Over on the HR Tech Blog, Sarah Brennan argues that too much discussion about HCM strategy and technology is driven by buzzword-driven...
Too many organizations ignore the human aspects of digital transformation when they begin to add or enhance their technology, the research firm Gartner says. In order to succeed, technology changes must be backed up by corresponding cultural shifts. Without those, the entire digital initiative is put at risk. This is...
The application of workforce analytics has experienced a “stunning regression” since 2014, according to a recent report. This comes despite aggressive efforts by data experts and HCM consultants to inject the use of analytics into everything from candidate screening to engagement measurement and workforce planning. The 2018 Global Leadership Forecast—by...
Workday’s recently announced partnership with Slack will allow employees to access HR information and services without having to switch tools. As Slack said, “Without having to move to another application, they will be able to resolve many of their questions and issues in an intuitive and familiar way.” Last year...
In this guest column, David Mizne of 15Five explores how feedback loops can boost engagement--when they're properly developed. Engagement is one of the key factors influencing employee retention, and providing job satisfaction doesn’t just save you money in recruiting, hiring and onboarding. Studies have also shown that companies with high...
In case there’s any doubt left about the urgent need for mobile and remote HR solutions, Zurich-based International Workplace Group reports that more than 70 percent of employees work outside of their office at least one day a week. Fifty-three percent work remotely for at least half the week,...