SuccessFactors Release Embeds Experience Tools, Refines Learning

SAP SuccessFactors continues to hone its approach to “Human Experience Management,” the idea that experience is central to the implementation of successful HCM and recruiting strategies.

When rolling out HXM at 2019’s SuccessConnect, the company said that the focus on employee experience was the most meaningful trend it saw in the HR world. This week, SuccesssFactors made showed that it doesn’t think the Covid-19 pandemic has changed that.

During this year’s (virtual) SuccessConnect, SuccessFactors argued that putting workers at the center of business thinking results in greater productivity, loyalty and a more effective, highly contributing workforce.

New Home Page, Embedded Qualtrics

In a blog post, SVP of Products and Design Amy Wilson said HXM “continues to guide the entire product strategy” for SuccessFactors. It’s not surprising, then, that while the company didn’t announce major new products, its second-half release includes notable updates that build on the HXM concept. Among them:

• A redesigned home page that offers a more personalized experience for users accessing the SuccessFactors suite. The page will focus on dynamic content, such as regularly performed tasks or time-sensitive matters, and is organized according to the individual user’s needs. Qualtrics remote-work surveys will be surfaced to solicit feedback on employees’ remote-work environments.

• SuccessFactors Learning will offer a more consistent approach to presenting learning items, and also recommendations for related courses. The idea here, SuccessFactors said, is to increase engagement and make the learning experience easier to use on both desktop and mobile platforms.

• SuccessFactors is also embedding Qualtrics capabilities into different parts of HXM. Besides the home page, email surveys will be used to gather feedback from mentoring participants, and employees will be queried about benefits after the make submissions.

Many, if not most, of these features were discussed during June’s SAP SAPPHIRE. Still, the company could talk about growth, and it did: More than 4,000 customers now use SuccessFactors Employee Central, it announced.

Qualtrics Remains Key to Strategy

During a media call, SuccessFactors President Jill Popelka said that the planned IPO of Qualtrics, which SAP acquired for $8 billion in 2018, “will change nothing” in terms of SuccessFactors’ vision and the integration of services into the HXM platform. SVP of Product, Engineering and Operations Meg Bear said her team will continue to leverage Qualtrics “to give HR they tools they need to adapt to change.”

SuccessFactors has moved aggressively to take advantage of Qualtrics’ expertise in experience management ever since the company was acquired for SAP’s cloud portfolio.

In a statement, SAP said it will remain a majority stakeholder in Qualtrics, and “has no intention of spinning off or otherwise divesting its majority ownership interest.”

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Image: SAP SuccessFactors