Monthly Research Recap | December 2025

Recent Research

Research Agenda: Changing Workplace Dynamics & The Future of Work in 2026

This 2026 research agenda from Dylan Teggart examines how accelerating AI adoption, shifting labor market dynamics, declining employee engagement, and mounting compliance complexity are fundamentally reshaping the world of work. As employers regain leverage and HR technology enters a period of consolidation and commoditization, the focus of this research is on separating signal from noise—understanding what is truly driving measurable workforce outcomes versus what remains aspirational rhetoric. Through in-depth analysis of real organizational experiences, technology decisions, and execution strategies across the employee lifecycle, this agenda aims to equip HR and business leaders with practical, data-driven insights to turn modern HR, AI, and workforce management investments into tangible results in 2026 and beyond.

Analyst Insight: What Makes a Certified Great Place To Work Company

This Analyst Insight explores what the “Great Place To Work Certified” badge truly signals in today’s job market. While certification reflects strong employee trust, pride, and camaraderie, it is just one indicator within a broader set of metrics—including retention, internal mobility, and employee feedback—that reveal a company’s culture. The insight examines how organizations earn certification, why employers pursue it, and the limitations of the label, emphasizing that long-term practices, alignment between HR and business strategy, and continuous investment in culture ultimately determine whether a company is genuinely a great place to work.

Recent Articles:

Efficiency, Precision, and Discovery: Lessons from Vanillasoft’s Marketing Leaders

This article explores insights from Vanillasoft marketing leaders Jeannie Zaemes and James Bishop on how GTM teams are evolving across three core themes: efficiency, precision, and discovery. They discuss the shift toward smarter, more disciplined tech stacks; the balance between targeted data-driven marketing and exploratory market discovery; and how AI-driven search is reshaping the way buyers find information without replacing the fundamentals of communication and trust. Their perspective highlights a GTM future defined not by chasing every new tool, but by focusing on clarity, strategy, and meaningful customer connection.

Council Guest Post: HR Transformation: Effective Communication Strategies

This 3Sixty Insights Council Guest Post explores how transparent and effective communication is essential for successful HR transformation. It highlights strategies for building trust and engaging employees, including developing a comprehensive communication plan, tailoring messages to different audiences, leveraging multiple channels, fostering two-way dialogue, and addressing emotional responses. The post emphasizes that consistent, empathetic, and interactive communication not only smooths the implementation of change but also strengthens employee morale, collaboration, and long-term organizational success.

Recent Podcast and Videos

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

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.

Video: Human in the Loop or Just a Checkbox? Rethinking AI in HR and Support

In this video, Nicholas Biron explores how AI is transforming both customer and employee experiences—and where it’s falling short. While vendors often highlight “human in the loop” safeguards, in practice AI is frequently creating barriers rather than enhancing interactions. From customer support that makes it nearly impossible to reach a live agent, to performance management systems that strip away empathy, automation can leave people feeling undervalued. Yet, when implemented thoughtfully—such as AI handling routine payroll questions—it can free human teams to focus on critical issues and improve overall experience. The key takeaway: AI must be deployed strategically to balance efficiency with genuine human connection.

Video: Are Vendors Losing by Overloading on AI Features?

In this video Nicholas Biron of 3Sixty Insights highlights a common issue in vendor briefings: the tendency to focus heavily on AI feature functionality rather than the actual problems customers want solved. Drawing on observations from virtual analyst events, Biron notes that while AI advancements are impressive, excessive technical detail often disengages audiences. He urges vendors to prioritize problem-solving, competitive differentiation, and practical outcomes to create meaningful connections with both analysts and end users.

Video: Executive Turnover Is Disrupting Business – Here’s How to Keep Momentum

In this video Nicholas Biron explores the rising challenge of short executive tenures, now averaging around 18 months, and how this trend disrupts organizational strategy, marketing plans, and product execution. Drawing on research and firsthand observations, Nicholas emphasizes the importance of leadership retention and institutional knowledge for business success. He cautions that frequent executive changes can stall momentum, create strategic uncertainty, and ultimately hinder organizational growth.

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