Core HCM

#HRTechChat: David Edwards on the “Last Mile” from Data to Decisions

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In this episode of #HRTechChat, Nicole Roberts (Senior Analyst & Advisor, 3Sixty Insights) is joined by David Edwards—strategic workforce planning practitioner, advisor, and author of The Strategic Workforce Planning Handbook—for a candid conversation about the gap between SWP theory and the messy reality of execution. David explains why strategic workforce planning still suffers from an identity crisis (too many definitions, too many expectations), and why organizations keep getting trapped in short-term thinking that freezes out long-term capability building. Together, they unpack why chasing “perfect data” can be just as risky as oversimplifying, and why the real skill leaders need—especially as AI accelerates planning inputs—is judgment: knowing what’s decision-grade, what matters most, and what to do next. The conversation also tackles the evolving role of managers, […]

#HRTechChat: Aman Kaur-Shaik on Why AI Adoption in HR Starts with Knowledge, Data, and Culture

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In this episode of #HRTechChat, Dylan Teggart speaks with Aman Kaur-Shaik—HR Director at Nutrien, member of the 3SixtyInsights Global Executive Advisory Council, and a 2024 Global Top 100 HR Executive—about what it really takes for organizations to adopt AI successfully. Aman explains why the biggest barrier to AI adoption isn’t the technology itself, but the environment organizations have built around it. From fragmented knowledge bases and outdated policies to inconsistent data and unclear guardrails, many HR teams are trying to layer advanced AI tools on top of systems that were never designed for them. Together, they explore why the hype around AI is beginning to settle, how HR leaders can move from experimentation to practical adoption, and why starting with strong knowledge management and data […]

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Research Agenda: Workforce Strategy, HR Enablement & HR Technology in an AI-Augmented World

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Analyst Overview Nicole brings more than 20 years of senior HR leadership experience, including serving as Chief People Officer and the first HR executive at several high-growth, private-equity–backed, and multi-site organizations. She has built HR functions from the ground up, led organizations through Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) and rapid scaling, and evaluated, selected, and implemented a wide range of HR technologies as a buyer. She specializes in helping HR leaders translate workforce data into clear, executive-ready narratives that resonate with CEOs, CFOs, and private-equity stakeholders. In addition to her executive experience, Nicole serves as faculty with the Human Capital Institute, where she teaches courses in strategic workforce planning, talent acquisition, HR business partnering, change management, and leadership development. This work provides deep insight into the […]

#HRTechChat: Do More With Less Is Breaking Managers (and What to Do About It) — with JD Dillon

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In this episode of #HRTechChat, Dylan Teggart is joined by JD Dillon—advisor, speaker, and author of The Modern Learning Ecosystem—to unpack the “do more with less” reality shaping work in 2026 and why managers are taking the brunt of it. JD explains how constant change, unclear AI mandates, and shrinking labor budgets are pressing frontline and middle managers from both sides—corporate demands on one side, team needs on the other. Together, they explore why traditional leadership development isn’t meeting the moment, why “engagement” is losing meaning as a guiding metric, and what actually helps organizations adapt when disruption hits. JD makes the case that if you’re going to prioritize one investment in the employee experience, make it managers—by giving them time, clarity, and permission to […]

#HRTechChat: The Economics of HR – Speaking the Language of Business with Maria Scarangella

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In this episode of #HRTechChat, Nicole Roberts is joined by Maria Scarangella to tackle one of the most persistent challenges facing HR today: proving business value in a climate defined by cost pressure, efficiency mandates, and heightened executive scrutiny. Drawing on her 37-year career at GEICO—including leadership of a $2.5B P&L—and her current work building Marstella, Maria explains why HR risks losing its strategic seat when it speaks only in HR metrics instead of business outcomes. Together, they explore how quantifying the true cost of hiring, onboarding, training, and turnover can fundamentally change executive decision-making—from smarter workforce planning to more targeted investments in technology and development. Maria outlines why “a lot” is not a number, how lifecycle cost visibility creates accountability across leaders, and why […]

#HRTechChat: Jeff Smith of 15Five on Building Better Managers in the Age of AI

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In this episode of #HRTechChat, Nicole Roberts sits down with Jeff Smith, COO of 15Five, to unpack what it really takes to build better managers in an era of AI, constant change, and overflowing HR to-do lists. A psychologist by training with deep R&D and product experience, Jeff brings a rare lens on how organizations can redesign systems, expectations, and technology to truly support people leaders—not just measure them. They dig into the mounting pressure on HR and managers, the shift from “HR owns all people issues” to shared accountability, and why management has to be treated as a daily practice, not a one-time promotion. Jeff explains how tools like 15Five and Kona AI can turn everyday one-on-ones into continuous performance data, simplify review cycles, […]

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Council Guest Post: HR Transformation: Effective Communication Strategies

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Building Trust and Engagement through transparent and effective communication Introduction The landscape of Human Resources (HR) is continuously evolving, driven by technological advancements, globalization, and changing workforce dynamics. As organizations seek to stay competitive, HR transformation has become a vital process. However, any transformation journey can be fraught with challenges, and one of the most critical aspects of navigating these challenges is ensuring transparent and effective communication. Effective communication strategies not only facilitate the smooth implementation of changes but also build trust and engagement among employees. The Importance of Communication in HR Transformation Initiative Communication is the lifeblood of any organizational change. In the context of HR transformation, it ensures that all stakeholders are informed, engaged, and aligned with the transformation goals. Transparent communication helps […]

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Analyst Insight: California Labor Laws and Compliance – Burden, Benchmark, or Competitive Advantage?

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In more than one phone call with customers, vendors, or other analysts in the HR technology industry, I’ve heard the claim that it’s hard to do business in the state of California. According to these conversations, the state is riddled with unnecessary compliance, too many hoops to jump through, a mountain of litigation risk, and constant changes to the rules. Business groups frequently cite labor, wage, and climate regulations as part of a broader, burdensome business environment. So, I decided to take a look. Is the situation in California really as out of control as people claim? Fact vs Fiction To start, there is a significant kernel of truth behind these claims, especially when compared to the rest of the United States. California’s 2025 statewide […]

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Council Guest Post: CHRO Briefing – Applying Generative AI to the Workforce

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Generative AI is transforming how work gets done, but its impact will be uneven. For CHROs, the challenge is to look beyond product demos and hype to understand what AI truly changes in the workforce. In this CHRO Briefing, Steve O’Brien offers a practical framework to help HR leaders pace adoption, redesign roles, and govern responsibly. Inside the Briefing: Learn how work divides into three realities: task, system, and structural that determine AI’s true impact. Understand why most early value will come from acceleration and augmentation, not full automation. Explore how CHROs can partner with CIOs to align technology, governance, and workforce design. Get six clear imperatives for responsible GenAI adoption across the enterprise. Why It Matters:AI adoption is a workforce transformation—not just a technology […]

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Video: Risk to Retention: How Strategic Background Screening Drives Trust, Safety, and Talent Retention

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  In this video, 3Sixty Insights Principal Analyst Dylan Taggart shares key findings from our research note, “Risk to Retention: Background Screening as Strategy.” Discover how modern background screening is evolving from a compliance task into a strategic tool that shapes candidate experience, organizational trust, safety culture, and talent retention. Dylan highlights insights from Mitratech and its clients, including WillowBridge Property Company, showing how technology and human judgment work together to streamline processes, reduce administrative burden, and improve HR effectiveness. Learn how transparency, fairness, and strategic screening can strengthen your organization’s culture, reputation, and competitive advantage in today’s high-turnover, highly regulated environment. Watch to learn: How background screening influences first impressions and candidate confidence The role of screening in safety and public trust How technology […]

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theHRDIRECTOR: Lessons from HR Tech 2025 – How vendors can stand out in a crowded market

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Recently, I had the opportunity to attend HR Tech 2025 . After years of observing this industry as a customer and analyst, I came away both amazed and thoughtful about the state of HR technology and the way vendors communicate their innovations. The State of HR Technology Today The advancements in HR software over the past few years are nothing short of revolutionary. From AI-driven solutions to streamlined workforce management tools, the software on display at HR Tech 2025 has the potential to accelerate organizations’ capabilities by years—if deployed effectively. For end users, the key takeaway is clear: if you haven’t explored HR technology in the last few years, now is the time. The innovations showcased at this year’s event could fundamentally improve how HR […]

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theHRDIRECTOR: Is HR Tech in its “It’s Toasted” Era?

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One thing’s for sure in HR tech: everything is agentic AI. Or better yet, just “agentic.” In the frigid back conference halls of the Mandalay Bay convention center, past the food court, and up the escalator banks, the word “agentic” bounced across the walls and danced through the air. It’s the hot new thing. Everyone’s talking about it. And maybe that’s the problem. Over the course of the two and a half days at the 3Sixty Insights table, I was briefed, debriefed, and briefed again with vendors from across the HR tech industry. I met and spoke with many witty, intelligent, and forward-thinking people, all telling – or being told to tell – the same story. As an analyst, the result was often walking away […]

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theHRDIRECTOR: Key takeaways from this year’s HR technology conference

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My heart is full and my battery is drained, but in the most beautiful way. Prior to HR Technology Conference, my experience with conferences was from the practioner’s and blogger perspective. I had the opportunity to attend HR Tech as a learner and an analyst in an industry where I’ve been a customer, a decision maker, and a functionality geek. I got to see some amazing people I had not seen in years or even had never met IRL. I’ve always loved learning, attending demos, and seeing how people are looking to solve their business challenges with people tech solutions. It was fun to have the experience of being in HR for 20+ years and now having a different conversation with vendors, finding out from […]

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Research Note: Risk to Retention – Background Screening as a Strategy

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Why forward-thinking HR leaders are reimagining background checks with technology to enhance candidate experience, reduce risk, and strengthen employee retention. Executive Summary Background screening has grown to shape candidate experience and signal organizational culture, just as much as it ensures compliance and protects against risk. Having shifted from a mere compliance safeguard to a strategic element of talent management, when done well, screening builds candidate trust, promotes a safe workplace, and enhances employee retention. The future of background screening will be shaped by regulatory expansion, tighter integration of technology, and increasing candidate expectations for fairness and transparency. Companies that strike a balance between compliance and culture, leverage technology without compromising human judgment, and prioritize candidate trust, will not only reduce risk but also gain an […]

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From Practitioner to Analyst: My Takeaways from This Year’s HR Technology Conference

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My heart is full and my battery is drained, but in the most beautiful way. Prior to HR Technology Conference, my experience with conferences was from the practioner’s and blogger perspective. I had the opportunity to attend HR Tech as a learner and an analyst in an industry where I’ve been a customer, a decision maker, and a functionality geek. I got to see some amazing people I had not seen in years or even had never met IRL. I’ve always loved learning, attending demos, and seeing how people are looking to solve their business challenges with people tech solutions. It was fun to have the experience of being in HR for 20+ years and now having a different conversation with vendors, finding out from […]

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3Sixty Insights’ Nicole Roberts to Facilitate HCI’s Strategic Workforce Planning Certification

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Sixty Insights is happy to share that Nicole Roberts, Analyst with 3Sixty Insights, will serve as a facilitator for the Human Capital Institute’s (HCI) Strategic Workforce Planning (SWP) Certification program. The SWP Certification is one of HCI’s flagship offerings, designed to help HR and business leaders build a forward-looking approach to workforce planning. Participants learn how to align talent strategies with organizational goals, identify and close skill gaps, and create actionable plans that drive measurable impact. Nicole brings her extensive expertise in HR strategy, organizational effectiveness, and people-centric leadership to the classroom. As a facilitator, she will guide participants through HCI’s evidence-based SWP framework, interactive exercises, and practical toolkits that can be applied immediately to real-world challenges. This collaboration underscores 3Sixty Insights’ commitment to advancing […]

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Video: Behind the Scenes – Nicole Roberts Prepares for Her First HR Tech

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Join Nicole Roberts, Analyst at 3Sixty Insights, as she shares her excitement ahead of attending her very first HR Tech Conference. In this video, Nicole talks about the briefings she has lined up, the innovations she’s eager to explore, and why this trip marks a special personal and professional milestone. Whether you’re attending HR Tech or following along virtually, this video gives you a glimpse into how 3Sixty Insights connects with industry leaders, uncovers the latest trends in HR technology, and builds meaningful relationships. Nicole will be at HR Tech Wednesday–Friday — connect with her and the 3Sixty Insights team if you’ll be there too!