Recapping iCIMS INSPIRE: A Global Gathering of Business, Talent, and Technology Innovators

The past two days marked a number of firsts for iCIMS. INSPIRE was our company’s first-ever global conference, gathering business, talent, and technology leaders from around the world. It also happened to be our first-ever virtual conference. And for our community of more than 4,000 customers that collectively employ more than 30 million people globally, the last two days offered a first glimpse at the iCIMS Talent Cloud and our vision for the future of work.

We are living in a time of radical change with digital transformation affecting every aspect of our lives. The events of 2020 have only accelerated these trends, making clear that the way we live, work, and relate with each other is rapidly evolving and increasingly dependent on technology. But what is clearer to me than ever is that talent drives transformation, and talent will remain central to the success of any organization.

I’m not the only one who believes that talent is key. Moira Forbes, EVP of Forbes Media, shared with us the way that challenging times—like our current pandemic—can act as catalysts for leaders at all levels of an organization to step up, innovate, and advance through periods of change and crisis.

Cynthia Marshall, CEO of the Dallas Mavericks & Founder of Marshalling Resources, spoke about the importance of culture and values in defining an organization and attracting and motivating talent.

Tomya Watt, VP of Talent Acquisition & Mobility, and Jenna Sandker, Director of Talent Acquisition and Candidate Experience at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, spoke about their success in building a more diverse workforce and how by increasing diversity in their workforce, they are improving patient outcomes. And Erica Volini of Deloitte spoke about career mobility in this accelerated future in which we find ourselves.

So, what was the common thread across the various sessions at INSPIRE? I think Ryan Roslansky, CEO of LinkedIn, said it best during our fireside chat when he talked about how data and insights can be leveraged to better match individual candidates with the jobs for which they are most qualified. The importance of talent has not changed, nor will it. What has changed is our ability to leverage digital platforms—like LinkedIn and like the iCIMS Talent Cloud—to more effectively and efficiently identify the right talent for the right jobs. To better attract, engage, hire, and advance top talent and build world-class teams. These and all of our speakers set the stage for a thought-provoking conversation that will reverberate long beyond the conference.

I am so thankful to my team for putting together this amazing event, and I am beyond proud to be a part of the iCIMS ecosystem of more than 4,000 customers and partners around the world. Together, we have the drive, the innovation, the imagination, and the digital tools to create a dynamic, diverse, and technically-savvy workforce equipped to do the jobs of today and rise to the opportunities of tomorrow. Let’s get to work.