isolved

WRKdefined Logo

Guest Podcast: What AI Can’t Replace – Pamela Stroko on Talent, Truth, and the Human Advantage

Posted on by

You can’t automate empathy—and that’s the difference. In this episode, recorded live at isolved Connect in Chicago, industry veteran Pamela Stroko joins William Tincup to talk truth in HR tech. With over two decades across Oracle, analyst firms, and practitioner trenches, Pamela cuts through the noise around AI, hiring mistakes, and vendor hype. She shares lessons from launching The Five Talents That Matter podcast series, what 300,000 listens taught her about real talent signals, and why most companies are still getting hiring wrong—by design. From her earliest days in HR to her sharpest critiques of today’s tech landscape, Pamela makes one thing clear: connection still wins. Listen to the full podcast here: What AI Can’t Replace – Pamela Stroko on Talent, Truth, and the Human Advantage

isolved Logo

isolved Press Release: isolved Launches Tailored Restaurant Solutions to Reduce Turnover, Ensure Compliance and Improve Guest Experience

Posted on by

The Company Strengthens its Vertical Focus with Purpose-Built Technology and Expert Services CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Rising labor costs, crippling turnover and constantly changing compliance requirements are stretching restaurant teams thin. In fact, 64% of restaurant HR leaders say their industry is facing a talent crisis and nearly three-quarters are looking for more effective ways to manage their growing workload. To meet these challenges head-on, isolved® is launching isolved People Cloud™ for Restaurants—tailored human capital management (HCM) solutions built to support quick-service restaurants (QSRs), franchises and dining establishments of all sizes. “Restaurant HR leaders are under tremendous pressure with limited time and resources to manage high turnover, wage and tip complexity and fast-changing regulations,” said Opal Wagnac, Senior Vice President, Market & […]

3Sixty Insights - Webinar - Thumbnail

isolved Webinar: AI in Action – How QSRs are Getting Smarter | July 23rd @ 12:00PM Eastern

Posted on by

AI is no longer a futuristic concept for QSRs—it’s transforming how brands serve, staff and scale. In this exclusive session, you’ll hear from leading 3Sixty Insights analyst Dylan Teggart and isolved’s own Yutaka Takagi, who’ve studied how top restaurants are leveraging AI to solve labor challenges, optimize operations and enhance customer experiences. In this 45-minute webinar, they’ll cover: How QSRs are using AI to address staffing and operational efficiency Exclusive insights from recent industry research Real examples of AI improving speed of service and personalization What trends are emerging—and how to stay ahead of them The tools and tech QSRs are investing in right now July 23rd, 2025 @ 12:00 PM ET Learn more and register here: AI in Action – How QSRs are Getting Smarter 

3Sixty Insights - Case Study - Thumbnail

Case Study Vignette: How isolved Simplified Payroll for QSR Operator Leemar United

Posted on by

What You Need to Know Processing payroll is never easy, but it can be especially fraught when your workforce stretches across multiple states and changes jobs frequently. That’s the situation faced by many companies that run Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs). Primarily described as fast food outlets, these QSR chains face a number of common challenges, such as recruiting, hiring, and retention, while complying with the regulations of the different jurisdictions they serve. Among those companies is Leemar United Group, which operates 26 El Pollo Loco and Farmer Boys restaurants in California, Utah, and Colorado. Like others in the space, Leemar United heavily relies on technology, not only in addressing the details of the business but in its recruiting and workforce management, as well. Compliance is […]

3Sixty Insights - Anatomy of a Decision - Thumbnail

Anatomy of a Decision Vignette: How isolved Strengthened the Onboarding and Payroll Experience for QSR Employees and Customers

Posted on by

What You Need to Know To most Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) customers, front-line workers are the business. Whether it’s by providing quality service or resolving customer issues, they’re the ones who maintain the customer experience. That involves everything from taking orders and maintaining facilities to troubleshooting delivery delays and making sure a customer’s request for “mayonnaise, not mustard” is fulfilled. It follows, then, that QSRs view the employee experience as critical. Because the industry’s wages tend to be low and vary little, workers will switch employers for a minimal raise, slightly better benefits, or a more professional working environment. Combine that with the importance of experience in dealing with the public as well as the business’s operations, and you begin to see why employee experience […]

3Sixty Insights - Research Note - Thumbnail

Research Note: How isolved’s Industry Expertise Enables Quick Service Restaurants to Recruit and Engage an Ever-Changing Workforce

Posted on by

In high-turnover industries like quick service restaurants, employee experience can often be overlooked, as it’s merely a fleeting part of business operations. In the eyes of a busy business owner or restaurant operator, many employees are there one moment and gone the next. What business leaders miss, however, is that employees represent the most powerful resource at their disposal. When it comes to business operations, employees are the primary drivers of retention, performance, and customer satisfaction. For businesses that rely on regular, up-close interactions with their customers, employees are integral to the success of their business. Whether it’s a smile greeting them when they walk in the door, or seasoned professionals who know a menu from front to back, at quick service restaurants (QSRs), workers […]

3Sixty Insights - Analyst Insight -Thumbnail

Analyst Insight: isolved’s Strategic Approach to Sustainable Growth and Outstanding Customer Experiences

Posted on by

I recently attended isolved’s Analyst Summit in Scottsdale, AZ, which gave me the opportunity to gain valuable insights into the company’s strategic direction. I was front and center to witness their commitment to exceptional customer experiences and deliberate, sustainable growth. isolved has been a longstanding customer of 3Sixty Insights, which has provided us visibility into their evolution and strategic long game. This Analyst Insight highlights some of the items covered at isolved’s event, and the company’s journey, marked by thoughtful expansion and unwavering focus on customer success, which stands out in an industry often dominated by aggressive year-over-year growth strategies where the only goal is “revenue.” Legacy and Current Position isolved has carved a unique position in the Human Capital Management (HCM) and Payroll market […]

#HRTechChat: Heidi Barnett on ApplicantPro’s Evolution and Integration with isolved

Posted on by

As workforce expectations evolve and hiring challenges mount, the need for seamless, scalable recruitment strategies has never been more critical—especially in industries where speed and simplicity make or break business outcomes. In this episode of #HRTechChat, 3Sixty Insights’ Dylan Teggart sits down with Heidi Barnett, former CEO of ApplicantPro and now President of isolved Talent Acquisition to discuss the recent merger between the two companies—and what it means for the future of talent acquisition. Heidi brings her marketing-first mindset to HR, unpacking how ApplicantPro’s streamlined, high-conversion applicant tracking capabilities are now being scaled through isolved’s expansive HCM platform. Together, they explore the rising pressures on HR teams in SMB and mid-market companies, the realities of modern recruitment in high-turnover sectors like restaurants and healthcare, and the […]

HTC HRTech Cube - Logo

HRTech Cube: TechDuologue with Dylan Teggart and Mark Feffer, 3Sixty Insights, isolved & ApplicantPro

Posted on by

Dylan and Mark from 3Sixty Insights discuss SMB hiring, HR tech trends, AI tools, and isolved’s evolving talent solutions. Dylan and Mark from 3Sixty Insights discuss SMB hiring, HR tech trends, AI tools, and isolved’s evolving talent solutions. Dylan and Mark, it’s a pleasure to have you with us at HRTech Cube. To begin, we’d love to hear a little about your professional journeys leading up to your current roles at 3Sixty Insights. Dylan: I have always enjoyed writing, and I stepped into my first professional writing role as a Proposal/RFP writer at Ceridian (now Dayforce). From there, I was contracted as a sales and marketing writer at UKG while simultaneously working as a writer for 3Sixty Insights behind the scenes. As time went on […]

HRTechChat: How Yutaka Takagi and isolved Are Solving Hiring & Retention Challenges in QSRs

Posted on by

As quick-service restaurants (QSRs) continue to adapt in a post-pandemic world, the challenges of managing a dynamic, high-turnover workforce have never been more complex. In this episode of HRTechChat, 3Sixty Insights’ Geoff Webb sits down with Yutaka Takagi, Principal Product Evangelist at isolved, to explore the fast-paced world of QSRs and how human capital management technology is playing a pivotal role in workforce transformation. With deep insight into the daily realities of QSR operators and managers, Yutaka shares how evolving employee expectations—especially among Gen Z—are reshaping hiring, scheduling, and engagement strategies. He explains how the speed and fluidity of the QSR environment demand not only flexible tools but also a shift in how organizations think about HR: from back-office admin to real-time frontline support. From […]

3Sixty Insights - Market Alert - Thumbnail

Market Alert: isolved Incorporates ApplicantPro to Strengthen Recruiting Package

Posted on by

What’s Happening isolved has completely incorporated ApplicantPro’s brand and features to improve its recruiting tools and elevate the user experience for both recruiters and candidates. The move is a logical next step for the companies, which have together offered several talent acquisition tools for nearly 10 years. In addition to technology, ApplicantPro brings an established service business to isolved, writing and testing job ads to help customers quickly identify and hire the best-matching talent, as well as support employer branding. After gaining majority ownership a few years back, isolved has merged ApplicantPro’s brand and operations to improve its recruiting tools, elevate the user experience, and create a fresh entry point for its solutions. Furthermore, isolved will maintain its provision of standalone talent acquisition software and […]

#HRTechChat: The Evolving Role of Brokers in HCM with Andrea Dumont of isolved

Posted on by

As the role of brokers continues to evolve, they are no longer just insurance providers but strategic advisors helping businesses navigate workforce complexities. 3Sixty Insights’ Geoff Webb sits down with Andrea Dumont, Vice President Channel Marketing at isolved, to discuss how brokers are adapting to meet the changing needs of HR and HCM. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Andrea shares insights into how brokers are expanding their service offerings, leveraging technology, and strengthening client relationships to provide greater value. She explores the increasing reliance on brokers for strategic business advice, the impact of compliance challenges, and how HR technology plays a central role in delivering long-term success. How are brokers differentiating themselves in a crowded market? What role does trust and […]

3Sixty Insights - Article - Thumbnail

Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace: Why Employee Engagement is HR’s Biggest Opportunity

Posted on by

Looking at the hiring market in February of 2025, you’d think that employers have the upper hand. There are too many people looking for work and not enough jobs, meaning employers can drive down wages and demand more from workers for less money. However, it remains to be seen how far employers can push this before they see diminishing returns. The reason for this? Employee engagement. Far from being a buzzword, employee engagement has become a business-critical metric that directly impacts (and often reflects) a business’s productivity, retention, and performance. Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace: 2024 Report reveals this in-depth with data that demonstrates how low engagement is perpetuating a global economic crisis. According to Gallup’s report, 62% of employees worldwide are “not engaged,” […]

3Sixty Insights - Article - Thumbnail

Closing the Gap: How HR Technology and Strategic Alignment Drive Business Success

Posted on by

Aligning human resources with overarching business strategies is paramount today. 3Sixty Insights’ recent benchmark report revealed a concerning statistic: 82% of HR leaders acknowledge a misalignment with their organization’s business strategies. This disconnect hampers efficiency and incurs financial repercussions amounting to billions of dollars lost annually across the global economy. However, addressing this gap is a strategic opportunity. One of the primary areas of misalignment identified is business strategy development and execution. Our report highlights that only 53% of HR leaders help craft and implement business strategies from the outset, meaning HR can be left behind or excluded from the overall business strategy. This has trickle-down effects, creating gaps that impact hiring, retention, engagement, and talent management, which can have devastating downstream effects on a […]

3Sixty Insights - Article - Thumbnail

isolved’s Comprehensive Approach to Workforce Optimization

Posted on by

More and more businesses today find workforce management, labor productivity, and operational efficiency mandatory for sustaining a competitive advantage. At the same time, though, companies have to juggle the challenges of talent acquisition, compliance, employee engagement, and retention while staying agile and efficient. At their recent Connect customer and partner conference, I was fortunate to sit in on isolved’s showcasing of their new suite of solutions and services, including the People Cloud. The modular platform is designed to streamline HR, payroll, benefits, and talent management functions, providing businesses with a powerful solution to reach the full potential of their workforce. isolved also mentioned that they built this with scalability in mind, giving businesses the flexibility to grow while maintaining seamless connectivity in their workflows backed […]

People Tech with Mark Feffer and Opal Wagnac on Navigating AI’s Impact on HR

Posted on by

This guest podcast, originally aired on People Tech, features Mark Feffer in conversation with Opal Wagnac, Senior Vice President of Market and Product Strategy at isolved. Together, they unpack the state of AI in HR, exploring how leaders can distinguish between AI solutions that deliver real value and those that are mere hype. In this episode, Opal discusses the challenges of AI adoption in the workplace, the evolution of tools like retention predictors and recruiting automation, and the growing alignment between human intuition and machine learning. She highlights practical AI applications in recruiting, payroll, and employee learning, while shedding light on how AI is transforming HR tasks to focus on connection, empathy, and strategic innovation. Opal also delves into the art of the possible, offering […]

People Tech with Mark Feffer and Pragya Gupta on AI’s Role in HR

Posted on by

This guest podcast, originally aired on People Tech, features Mark Feffer and Pragya Gupta, Chief Product and Technology Officer at isolved, as they explore AI’s growing impact on HR. In this episode, they discuss shadow AI, automation, and the ethical considerations shaping today’s AI applications in HR. Pragya shares insights on how AI is transforming daily HR tasks, enhancing personalization, and streamlining strategic decisions across organizations. Our #HRTechChat Series is also available as a podcast on the following platforms: Apple iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3sixty-insights/id1555291436?itsct=podcast_box&itscg=30200 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7hXSgrFWXwvJqPbnKunztv SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-965220588 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6aDtrRPYoCIrnkeOYZRpAQ/ iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-3sixty-insights-78293678/ Amazon Music & Audible: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/7e7d809b-cb6c-4160-bacf-d0bb90e22f7c Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/3sixty-insights/PC:1000613511 PlayerFM: https://player.fm/series/3sixty-insights Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/3sixtyinsights/ Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/iaopd0r7 blubrry: https://blubrry.com/3sixtyinsights/ Castbox: https://castbox.fm/channel/id4113025 ivoox: https://www.ivoox.com/en/perfil-3sixty-insights_a8_listener_25914379_1.html Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/3sixty-insights-1718242 Pocket Cast: https://pca.st/iaopd0r7 Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/us/show/3029712 Listen Notes: https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/3sixty-insights-3sixty-insights-DgeU6AW42hn/ TUNE IN: https://tunein.com/podcasts/Business–Economics-Podcasts/3Sixty-Insights-TechChat-p1529087/ PodBean: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/9nugf-1e0a27/3Sixty-Insights-Podcast Audacy: https://www.audacy.com/podcast/3sixty-insights-hrtechchat-1ccab podimo: https://podimo.com/dk/shows/3sixty-insights rephonic: https://rephonic.com/podcasts/3sixty-insights See a service missing that you use? Let our team know by emailing research@3SixtyInsights.com. Transcript: Mark […]

3Sixty Insights - Blog - Thumbnail

How AI is Driving the Future of HR

Posted on by

Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly significant role in HR workflows, alleviating the burden caused by the growing list of tasks that HR professionals face. In fact, according to a recent survey of 1,000 HR professionals conducted by isolved in partnership with Talker Research, 77% of HR professionals believe AI training is critical to enhancing their roles, and 81% of those whose companies have adopted AI report using it in their daily tasks. On average, AI handles 34% of HR-related tasks in these organizations. In AI, HR professionals see an opportunity to provide their workforce with more personized, more responsive service. The technology’s ability to sort through data and speed a variety of technical tasks can free up a significant amount of time – […]

3Sixty Insights - Blog - Thumbnail

How Insurance Brokers Are Evolving to Meet the Changing Needs of Businesses in a Rapidly Shifting Landscape

Posted on by

The recent Advisory Services Research published by isolved paints a fascinating and revealing picture of industries in a state of rapid change. Whether those advisory services are being offered by banks, financial advisors or accounting businesses, the pressure to deliver more value, more fully, is clearly visible in the responses. However, it is perhaps the insurance broker industry that is facing the greatest pressure to adapt most rapidly. Brokers often support the insurance advisory needs of small- and medium-sized businesses, in many cases their clients having less than 200-300 employees. Yet as these businesses themselves come under increasing pressure from relentlessly and rapidly changing employee expectations to an explosion in complexity for compliance and legislation, so they in turn are leaning more and more heavily […]

3Sixty Insights - Case Study - Thumbnail

Case Study: Transforming HR Operations: Kendall Hunt’s Journey to Modernization and Efficiency

Posted on by

What You Need to Know As businesses grow over time there is a natural tendency to focus investment and innovation on the core, business-critical systems. Whether that’s product design and development, market reach, customer service and support, or even financial management, when there is a clear line between investment and business outcome, that tends to be where the budget goes. HR departments, and their HCM technology systems, are often regarded as non-strategic and operational in nature: important, but not core to the execution of business strategy. More problematic still, HR leaders often struggle to gather the necessary data from disparate and disconnected systems in order to present a compelling business case for additional investment. As a result, HR systems and processes can be left behind, […]