Reflections on UNLEASH 2024 - and the power of Human Connection.

What a week that was! A blur of conversations, croissants and a certain 'je ne sais quoi' would sum up my time in Paris.

UNLEASH in Paris was a brilliant experience again, bringing together customers, partners and organisations looking at how SAP SuccessFactors could help them address their HR challenges.

Hot topic (no prizes for guessing what) was AI. But, also talent and skills - which is something my colleagues Donald Ross and La?sha Sokpa gave a brilliant presentation on. Then, somewhat surprisingly a focus on what I would term the 'basics' of Core HR, Performance and Goals and Compensation. A reminder that the foundations are important, but also a sign of the increasingly global nature of organisations. Can we do Kuwaiti payroll? Yes we can! Do we cover Bulgaria and Morocco with our localisation capability - yes we do! A packed booth over the two days meant a lot of conversations!

First and foremost, digital transformation in HR was a predominant theme. The discussions highlighted the urgency for organizations to accelerate their digital journeys, particularly in regards to improving the employee experience and spending less time on transactional HR and manual tasks. Leveraging advanced HR technologies not only enhances efficiency but also enables companies to adapt swiftly to changing business environments. This fits squarely with SAP 's mission to support businesses in their transition to Intelligent Enterprises by providing cutting-edge HR solutions that integrate seamlessly with other business processes.

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AI-driven innovation was a hot topic last year, and this year was no different. From the conversations last year where we were showcasing an initial 5 use cases with Joule to the 25+ we showed this year, people could really see how they could leverage in their day to day work. The built in integration with Microsoft teams also generated a lot of interest. This interest was further heightened, when Josh Bersin said we were ahead of the competition when it comes to AI. High praise indeed! Whilst people were excited about AI's potential, there were also a few discussions around the risks relating to it, especially around 'hallucinations' or people taking an AI generated answer as the truth. This is where our AI Ethics department will help, further building on our AI guidelines around 'Relevant, Reliable and Responsible.'

Joule and Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 265

Data-driven decision-making also emerged as a non-negotiable aspect of modern HR management. Many discussions focused on leveraging data analytics to gain insights into workforce dynamics, predict trends, and make informed decisions. SAP’s robust analytics capabilities empower HR leaders to harness the power of data, enabling a more strategic approach to workforce management that drives better business outcomes.

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The topic of continuous learning and skills development were highlighted as critical for future-proofing organizations. The fast-paced changes in the global economic landscape require companies to invest in the continuous development of their workforce. SAP’s learning management solutions are designed to support these initiatives by providing flexible, intuitive, and personalized learning experiences that prepare employees for the challenges of tomorrow. Lots of interest in our Talent Intelligence Hub, as well as Opportunity Marketplace. It's amazing how much the SAP SuccessFactors suite has developed over the past 12 months.

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UNLEASH in Paris was a testament to the remarkable evolution and innovation happening in HR technology. Lots of exciting stuff happening - and with #SuccessConnect in Lisbon next week - a chance to see the H2 Release!

And whilst #Digital is more and more important, the chance to meet with colleagues past and present cannot be beaten! Great to see former colleagues (especially SDE's!) doing so well, and so many people who have shaped my journey in #HRSoftware and #SAPSuccessFactors over the years. HR is all about people and relationships - and it's so nice to be able to catch up face-to-face.

Finally, as most people who know me, exercise is a non-negotiable. Whilst the hotel gym didn't get used, I did get out for a couple of runs in Paris and saw the sights. France's equivalent of the Blackpool Tower looked magnificent! Next stop, Lisbon!

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#SAP #UNLEASHParis #DigitalTransformation #EmployeeExperience #AIinHR #SAPSuccessFactors #SAPJoule #DataDrivenHR #Sustainability #ContinuousLearning