Exit Interview by Patrick Donegan #141

For some time, I’ve been looking for one “source” that curates modern takes on HR Tech, perspectives from the people who build it, and its impact on enterprise — something that’s tailor-made by professionals for decision-makers.

I never found it — so I decided to build it.

Every week, I’ll be sharing fresh insights on tech platforms, design, data, and the future of work — straight to your inbox.

My Thoughts

Paid memberships are popping up everywhere. ?? From giants like Amazon and Walmart to small boutique firms, companies from various industries are turning to paid membership models to unlock a new level of customer engagement and loyalty. ?? So, how can we take inspiration from this trend and apply it to the landscape of client engagement?

We know that moving from transactional interactions to building deeper, more meaningful relationships with our clients makes a big difference. ???? The success of these paid membership programs demonstrates the potential for memberships to create a sense of exclusivity and community that can help businesses stand out from the noise. For companies seeking inspiration from this movement, the opportunity lies in offering tailored experiences and a sense of belonging that can't be found elsewhere. ??

This doesn't mean everyone needs to start implementing a paid membership program ?, but rather, we should be thinking about why these programs work so well. The essence of their success lies in recognizing the customer as an integral member of a brand's community. Thus, businesses should consider how they can incorporate elements of exclusivity, personalization, and community into their client engagement strategies. Whether through exclusive client events, educational content ????, or early access to new products or services, the goal is to make customers feel uniquely valued and connected to your brand.

So if you're looking for a new way to elevate your client engagement strategy, think beyond the conventional. Explore how you can create an environment where your clients feel like they're part of something special ?? — a community, not just a customer base.

Tech Innovation

HireRight, a leading provider of background screenings and other HR solutions, is set to be acquired?by General Atlantic and Stone Point Capital.

BambooHR,?a cloud-based HR platform, releases an AI-powered Employee Satisfaction?tool to help leaders gauge workforce engagement and sentiment.

In response to the growing industry, IonQ, a leader in the field, has launched the first dedicated quantum computing manufacturing facility?in the US.

The Changing Workplace

AI has exploded in popularity and accessibility, and in order to keep up, many organizations are hiring Chief AI Officers (CAIOs). While this trend signals a recognition of AI's strategic importance, whether every company requires a CAIO remains debatable. Such appointments hinge on an organization's scale, industry, and AI integration level. Balancing the potential benefits against the cost and organizational readiness is crucial for making informed decisions regarding whether or not to fill a CAIO position.

Not sure if your business needs a CAIO? Ask yourself:

• What is the scale of our organization?
• How extensively do we use AI in our operations?
• Are we ready to invest in a CAIO position?
• What potential benefits do we expect from having a CAIO?
• Can our current leadership handle AI-related decisions effectively?

All About Data

Workday's DEI Landscape Report?reveals continued commitment from business leaders to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in 2024. Despite progress, challenges such as bias in hiring still persist, highlighting the ongoing need for proactive DEI strategies in the workplace.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the key findings from the report:

• Of the 2,600 business leaders surveyed, 78%?say that DEI has become more significant over the past 12 months.
• AI and machine learning (ML) are playing a larger role in enabling DEI efforts, with 46% of respondents having deployed some type of technology to support various DEI initiatives.
• 67%?of survey respondents stated their organization was actively tracking DEI metrics, such as employee engagement and diversity.

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