Mara Swan
Executive Vice President of Global Strategy and Talent
ManpowerGroup
What’s the single most dramatic shift you see happening in the HR tech space today?
We are seeing a significant shift from HR technology which focusses on driving efficiencies and streamlining processes, to data-driven innovation which enables us to deliver a better and more intimate candidate and employee experience throughout an individuals’ career journey. This is what will fundamentally change the role of HR.
In acquiring and implementing new technologies, what’s the one or two most common mistakes HR organizations make?
Technology should enable a business strategy not the other way around. And organizations should remember that technology without people who are willing and able to use it is a wasted investment. Finding the right balance of people, skills and technology is key.
What area of the HR function will be most impacted by emerging technologies, and why?
No area of HR will escape the impact of technology. We need to reframe our approach to HR. Individuals expect B2C experiences and leaders expect data-led decisions, not gut instinct. That said, we can’t forget that although we are dealing with more data than ever before, HR is about people — and helping organizations achieve their goals through unlocking the potential of people is at the heart of what we do.
