HR Tech Quick Hits: Fang joins SeekOut; Upskilling is HR’s top priority

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Qualtrics exec joins SeekOut 

Claire Fang, chief product officer, SeekOut
Claire Fang, chief product officer, SeekOut

Talent platform SeekOut has hired Claire Fang, Qualtrics’ former CPO, as its first chief product officer. In her new role, Fang will oversee product strategy and the teams that create the full suite of talent optimization offerings, including talent acquisition and internal talent solutions. SeekOut has added three key players to its team recently, including Jana Morrelli as VP of Customer Success. “What attracted me to Seekout are its purpose and values,” says Fang. “What Seekout is trying to solve is to surface the right job opportunities for employees and conversely find the right talents for the skills needed, while doing it at scale for thousands of companies and millions of people.” 

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HR Tech Number

When it comes to their top priorities for 2022, 65% of HR leaders say that upskilling and reskilling lead the list, according to research conducted by Aptitude Research. CHROs are two times more likely to be involved in technology decisions that focus on skills than other areas of TA technology, and 75% are interested in talent marketplaces to deliver on a skills strategy. “Realistic expectations and clear communication will help these leaders achieve results and provide a more successful approach to skills,” says the research report. Download it here.

New Partnerships 

Corporate education solution provider Go1 has acquired employee experience platform Talivest, which is based in Cork, Ireland. The two companies will share data and insights as they address the role of L&D in employees’ employment lifecycle. “I am excited that our team’s experience, engineering expertise and product will join Go1 to help them to achieve their global vision,” says Laura Belyea, Talivest’s co-founder.

Funding News 

Robin announced $30 million in Series C funding to invest in its office reservation solution for hybrid companies. Robin’s platform aims to help hybrid teams return to the office, reserve desks and meeting rooms, and measure office demand, use, employee  sentiment and more. In May alone, the Boston-based company helped employees book more than two million desks. 

AI-powered mental health platform provider Wysa raised $20 million. The vendor will use the funds to expand into the U.S., UK, India and other markets as well as improve usability through multi-lingual support and easier access via WhatsApp. Wysa clients include Accenture, Colgate-Palmolive, Aetna International, Swiss Re, the NHS in the UK, and the Ministry of Health in Singapore.

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Podcast Pearls of Wisdom 

Recruiters have never had it harder as their role grows in importance and companies realize the huge impact it has on the workforce, guest Madeline Laurano of Aptitude Research says in Episode 20 of #TheWork entitled “The Strategy of Talent Acquisition.” It’s not easy. “People come into this industry and say they’re going to fix this … and it’s hard work!” she tells hosts John Sumser and Jeanne Achille, chair of the upcoming Women in HR Tech Summit at the HR Tech Conference. Listen here.   

HR Tech Conference Insights 

Employee experience will be a key content focus during the HR Technology Conference at Mandalay Bay from Sept. 13-16 in Las Vegas, with seven sessions on topics ranging from remote employee engagement to the use of AI and data in EX platforms and much more. Check out the entire track here


Do you have HR technology news or insights to share? Contact HR Tech Editor Phil Albinus at [email protected].

Phil Albinus
Phil Albinus
Phil Albinus is the former HR Tech Editor for HRE. He has been covering personal and business technology for 25 years and has served as editor and executive editor for a number of financial services, trading technology and employee benefits titles. He is a graduate of SUNY New Paltz and lives in the Hudson Valley with his audiologist wife and three adult children.