SHRM HR Tech 2016: Minutely assessed the impact of emerging technology on HR

The two days SHRM HR Technology Conference put spotlight on the role of blind CV’s, artificial intelligence, gamification, big data analytics for human resource management.

SHRM HR Technology Conference 2016 Mumbai kicked off with a keynote address from Jason Averbook, CEO, Thought Leader & Author. Data is an asset and opportunity. People, process and technology should work in tandem with organisational goal—this was the resounding message of the Averbook’s speech. “There is a need for HR to re-focus on how it looks at itself. People, processes and technology should work together for the benefit of the organisation but technology should not been seen as a silver bullet—the solution to all our problems,” Averbook said.

The two day conference and exposition witnessed two notable launches. First, the launch of the vendor community platform by SHRM India and Strat Board. Officials from both the companies informed that the platform was aimed at giving access to a dynamic and growing community of partners, apart from a host of multiple utilities. They emphasised that the platform would create a unique opportunity for service providers to showcase themselves to the HR community.

The second important launch at the conference was a joint study by SHRM and CGP (Chestnut Global Partners) on the workplace stress. The study—Workplace stress: Impact and Outcome—attempts to measure the impact of stress on the organisations’ top line and highlights the areas of concern at all levels.

In addition, during the various sessions and panel discussions, the global trend of using blind CV’s, artificial intelligence, gamification, big data analytics in HR were thoroughly discussed and deliberated. Most of the experts were of the view that these emerging technologies have potential to change the overall dynamic of the human resource management but their adoption would take time. Especially in the Indian context, they said, the adoption would be slow and steady.

In an engaging panel discussion: HR Tech: Making it About the User Experience, panelists Jason Averbook; Kevin Freitas, director, global recruiting and rewards – InMobi; George Oommen, director HR, tech. & process consulting – Cognizant; Madhura Dasgupta Sinha, head, employee experience – IDFC Bank discussed about the changing role of technology in HR and how it could be used for bringing more value in the day to day affairs of an employee.

In another engrossing panel discussion – Disruptive Learning: An eagle eye view, the panelists, Damodar Padhi, vp & global head, l&d – TCS; Abhijit Bhaduri, CLO – Wipro; Sid Bannerjee, CEO – Indusgeeks; Prithvi Shergill, CHRO – HCL Technologies, shared their experiences and viewpoints on how technology can be harnessed to build a holistic learning environment.

Topics such as ‘technology enabled learning and its usefulness in our worlds’, ‘how technology can help can completely re-invent hiring strategy’, ‘how to build, manage and sustain a smart workforce that is constantly skilled, up skilled and re-skilled to meet the demands of a digital world’ were also discussed in detail.

During his presentation, Viresh Oberoi, Founder CEO & MD, mjunctionin, highlighted how with a focus on problem-solving and innovative use of IT, his company changed the way commodities were sold. He said, “Using e-commerce to create a transparent and efficient mode for the sale of secondary steel and coal e-auctioning, resulting in an incremental revenue of Rs 25,000 crore. Technology not only moved business for mjunction but it is an important lever that the organisation uses to manage its people.”

Some expert led demo sessions were also organised during both the days. In one of the such sessions: ‘Redefining Talent Acquisition in an Era of Industry Convergence’–IBM showcased Kenexa’s sciences, social, collaboration and analytics backed talent acquisition solutions. Whereas Hacker Rank’s automated code challenges presented an in-depth insight into accelerated hiring.

“While technology has always been considered as one of the tools of the HR domain, the SHRM Tech conference offered a platform to brainstorm and minutely assess the impact of technology on the top line of companies, simultaneously throwing a light on key HR Tech trends shaping up globally,” Achal Khanna, CEO, SHRM India, said.

The conference was organised by Indian chapter of Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), a professional human resource association devoted to human resource management globally.

According to SHRM India, the two day conference and exposition brought together more than 650 delegates, including mid & senior level HR professionals and corporate leaders from organisations across all sectors.

The correspondent was in Mumbai on the invitation of the SHRM India.