In the HR world, this is the week the Technology gets top billing.
The HR Technology Conference in Chicago runs from this Wednesday, September 30 through Friday, October 2.
I will be attending with the aim of seeing as many interesting technologies as I can, talking with tech leaders and visionaries about the current state and future directions of workforce technology, and arm wrestle a few folks to come on the HR Happy Hour show.
Mark Stelzer at Inflexion Advisors and Laurie Ruettimann at PunkRockHr offered there takes on what they are looking for and expecting here and here, so I figured I would offer my two cents:
I am offended by massive technology projects that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, take a year to implement, and leave the users angry, frustrated, and dreading their forced interactions with the systems.
I am deeply offended by massive technology projects that cost millions of dollars, take many years to implement, and cripple organizations under their weight for years to come.
I want to see solutions that can do the following:
1. Solve an actual problem that matters to the actual employees and users of the technology.
2. Do it quickly, efficiently, and gasp - in a manner not reminiscent of a root canal.
3. Work and work well in the shortest possible time from when they are purchased.
4. Support not only the massive, global Fortune 1000 company, but the 117-person small business that has 1.5 HR employees buried under piles of paper. I want to know what your solution offers them.
5. Show how what you make empowers employees, contributes to their individual success, and helps enable them to perform.
Show me all that, and you have a fantastic technology.
I look forward to the show, and meeting lots of folks for the first time. If you see me there, be sure to say hello.