Q&A with HR Tech Influencer David D’Souza

 

David D’Souza
Director of Membership
CIPD

 


What area of the HR function will be most impacted by emerging technologies, and why?

If one area of HR is impacted more than others, we are probably not using technology in the most integrated or joined up ways. To frame it another way, we need to make sure that that we are less focused on the impact on HR and more on the organisations and people that we support and enable to thrive. It’s clear, however, that professionals in some areas are leading the way in utilising technology. The candidate experience within recruitment has long needed a dramatic improvement and the impact of technology in this space in a thoughtful way has a chance to be genuinely transformative.

How can HR leaders best make the business case for HR technology investment?

The best business case for HR technology investment is to centre the case on the business rather than HR.  The problems we are trying to solve are business problems: improving performance, making the most of the potential of people in the organisation or supporting decision making. If we can link investment clearly to the ambitions and objectives of the business, it makes it far easier for other key stakeholders to understand the benefits to them rather than thinking of it as an HR initiative or localised investment.

Are there certain strategies that are more effective than others when it comes to getting your workforce to use new HR technologies being put in place?

One of the most obvious is to make sure that when selecting technology you are thinking about and involving the eventual users in the key decision making processes and also in the design of roll out plan. Despite being obvious some HR teams still manage the mental gymnastics needed to think they understand the potential user journey better than the users. The ancient skill of listening is key to the successful deployment of modern technology. Ongoing communication and role modelling then both play key parts—making sure that that the leadership teams lead the way in both delivering and communicating the value created for the organisation.

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