The HR Huddle

In this special episode* of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and guest Pragya Gupta, Chief Operating Officer at isolved discuss how HR leaders are navigating AI adoption and workforce planning in 2026. The conversation covers findings from isolved's HR Leaders Report, which surveyed over 2,000 organizations, revealing that 63% are experiencing AI disruption while 51% struggle with data scattered...

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson discuss  acquisition activity across global payroll and identity security markets, highlighting how services and compliance expertise are driving these deals. They analyze new research showing that executives use AI at nearly double the use rate of frontline employees and highlight why these gaps affect adoption stra...

In this fan-favorite episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper along with Susan Richards and guests Tee Thorsen, LAITHOS Co-Founder and Managing Partner, and Mary Ellen Clagett, LAITHOS Leadership Catalyst and Co-Founder, discuss how leadership and organizational culture function as inseparable forces that determine business outcomes. The conversation addresses why 60% of employees still hide...

In this fan-favorite episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech initially posted after the HR Tech conference, Susan Richards, Teri Zipper, and Cliff Stevenson explore the disconnect between AI availability and actual adoption, revealing that 90% of professionals still don't use AI tools at work despite consumer-level familiarity. They discuss why major learning platform vendors were absent from the H...

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and guest David Noe, HR Manager with Payroll Partners and host of the SpeakEasy HR podcast, discuss the often-overlooked elements of employee experience that directly impact retention. The conversation examines why clarity and belonging can matter more than perks, how technology platforms can make or break trust, and why treating employee relat...

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson discuss Workday's acquisition of Pipedream and what Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers mean for HR technology integration and AI agent security. The conversation covers everything from EU pay equity reporting requirements to why only 12% of employees feel they receive adequate AI training. Major industry moves incl...

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and guest Bonnie Tinder, Founder and CEO at Raven Intelligence, explore how too many HR tech projects fail not because of the software itself, but because of poor implementation planning and partner selection. Bonnie shares how to evaluate system integrators, spot red flags during the selection process, and avoid the scope creep that derails pr...

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Susan Richards, Teri Zipper, and Cliff Stevenson,  discuss how HR technology is shifting from functional systems to workforce tech that connects HR, IT, and finance. The conversation covers what's driving AI adoption beyond the hype, why learning platform vendors were notably absent from the show floor, and how companies are struggling to move from h...

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and guest Sofia Whelan, Managing Partner at HorizonHuman, explore how HR can lead during AI adoption. The conversation addresses the gap between AI hype and real-world application, focusing on workforce planning, transparency, and solving actual business problems. Key points covered include: ↪️ HR must lead workforce planning by identifying whi...

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson return with a jam-packed, catch-up episode discussing the wave of strategic acquisitions, the growing importance of viewing compliance as a talent strategy, and the rise of "bring your own AI" in organizations. This conversation also explores how vendors are solving real business problems while HR professionals are n...

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper along with guest Craig Friedman, Talent and Skills Transformation Leader at St. Charles Consulting Group, unpack what enterprise skills really means for organizations today. Craig explains how skills-based talent management represents a data-driven transformation that moves HR from headcount management to capability management, enabling compani...

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson interview guest George LaRocque, WorkTech’s Founder and Chief Analyst, to discuss the state of the HR tech market and where it's heading. The conversation explores how investment activity, market data, and adoption trends come together to paint a realistic picture of the industry. George shares insights on tracking g...

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and guest Libby DeLucien, Founder of WootRecruit, discuss common hiring mistakes, the role of AI in recruiting, and why companies need to rethink their approach to attract quality candidates. The conversation covers how personal development directly impacts leadership effectiveness and why treating employees as valuable assets requires a human-...

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson discuss why compliance has become the surprising number one topic in HR technology, exploring how AI is changing verification processes and I-9 management. They cover major market moves including Qualtrics' $6.7 billion acquisition of Press Ganey and break down Dayforce's latest product announcements at their user co...

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and guest Dennis Hill, Founder of Sagacity, LLC, and Chairman/President/CEO at IHRIM, explore Web3, blockchain, and distributed ledger technologies that promise to solve the security problems that have plagued HR systems for 60 years. The conversation covers data ownership rights, the shift toward crypto-based financial systems, and the competi...

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson discuss the reality of AI adoption in HR, exploring the "Bring Your Own AI" phenomenon where 81% of HR professionals are using AI tools but only 14% have company-paid access. They also examine how recent policy changes, including H1-B visa cost increases to $100,000, will disproportionately impact small and medium bu...

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper along with Susan Richards and guests Tee Thorsen, LAITHOS Co-Founder and Managing Partner, and Mary Ellen Clagett, LAITHOS Leadership Catalyst and Co-Founder and Managing Partner, explore how leadership directly shapes organizational culture and why both elements are critical for driving sustainable business results, especially during rapid tec...

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson discuss Anaplan's purchase of AI-powered supply chain company Syrup Technologies and Gusto's acquisition of 401K provider Guideline, alongside significant product launches including Salary.com's multilayered AI compensation suite.  They analyze OrgView data revealing that Fortune 500 companies avoiding layoffs outper...

In this special episode* of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and guest Jamie Aitken, Vice President of HR Transformation at Betterworks, discuss the current state of AI deployment in HR and its intersection with strategic performance management. While many employees use ChatGPT individually, organizations show limited AI integration within their HR technology stack, with HR departments often exc...

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson discuss Thoma Bravo's $12.3 billion acquisition of Dayforce and Workday's back-to-back purchases of AI companies Paradox and Flowise. They also examine contrasting research on AI adoption, with Goldman Sachs predicting minimal workforce disruption while MIT reports that 95% of organizations see zero ROI from generati...

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper along with Stacey Harris welcome guest RD Whitney, Chief Operating Officer for The CFO Leadership Council, to explore the growing convergence between finance and HR functions. This conversation highlights how CFOs are increasingly involved in HR technology purchasing, particularly in mid-market companies, while AI adoption is creating new chall...

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson discuss  significant merger and acquisition activity, including SAP's acquisition of Smart Recruiters and the legal implications of Workday's HiredScore integration amid ongoing bias litigation. The conversation also explores key executive moves, industry recognition, and the broader implications of AI adoption in HR...

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and guest Brett Ungashick, Founder and CEO of Outsail, discuss one of the most challenging aspects of HR leadership: selecting and buying the right software solutions. They explore common pitfalls that derail software purchases and strategies for running a thorough, stakeholder-friendly evaluation. This conversation covers how to move beyond fl...

In this episode of Spilling the Tea on HR Tech, Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson discuss topics ranging from AI system failures and labor market shifts to an increased vendor focus absence and leave management, compensation, and benefits. They also discuss sources HR leaders should be considering for decision-making data and a satirical essay that touches on some truths about HR analysts.   Key p...

In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper and Jeff Pole, Co-Founder & CEO of Warden AIi, discuss the reality of AI bias in talent acquisition and hiring processes. This conversation covers the shared responsibility between vendors and organizations when implementing AI tools, practical guidance for evaluating AI systems, and the importance of third-party auditing in building trust.  Ke...