The Josh Bersin Company Josh Bersin

In this podcast I discuss Microsoft’s exciting new internal skills strategy, with a focus on Viva Skills, the role of the Microsoft Copilot, and how Microsoft is “inventing new products for HR” as Customer Zero. Customer Zero is Microsoft’s way of “eating their own dogfood” and making sure their new products are well designed before the hit the streets.
Video version of podcast: https://youtu.be/6VuOYUBT2KA
Takeaways

Microsoft is a role model for HR, with an innovative and experimental approach.
They are leveraging the Microsoft Graph to gather skills and HR data for better decision-making.
Viva Skills and Eightfold are being used to build a skills infrastructure and provide personalized recommendations.
Microsoft is integrating AI agents like Galileo into the Microsoft Copilot, showcasing the importance of AI in HR.
Companies need to develop their own AI strategies to stay competitive in the evolving HR technology landscape.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Microsoft and their HR Function
02:06 Building a Skills-Based Employee Experience
05:34 Challenges of Skills Platforms in HR Technology
10:38 Integrating AI Agents into Tools and Systems
15:36 The Significance of AI Technologies in HR Redesign
Additional Information:
Building A Skills-Based Organization: The Exciting But Sober Reality
Enterprise Talent Intelligence Arrives, Disrupting The HR Tech Market
Here Come The Copilots!

Today’s podcast, recorded in Vegas after a series of conferences (ServiceNow Knowledge and Unleash), talks all about how ServiceNow is making a major play to dominate the space and how Enterprise Talent Intelligence is going mainstream.
I also discuss what we covered in our AI in HR workshop and how to evaluate the massive number of tools are coming (including Galileo® from us).
I also give you my thoughts about why Business Insider was a bit unfair to Workday and how the HCM market will soon change existentially.
Additional Information
Enterprise Talent Intelligence Has Arrived: Disrupting The HR Tech Market
ServiceNow Boldly Introduces AI Solution For Skills, Learning, And Growth
Why I’m Still Bullish On Workday
Here Come The Copilots: Microsoft’s GenAI Strategy For The Enterprise
AI in HR: Certificate Course in The Josh Bersin Academy (join the more than 30,000 people who love it!)

This conversation explores the concept of employee experience and its evolution from employee engagement.

The case studies of the BBC and Schiphol Airport demonstrate innovative approaches to creating inspiring employee experiences. The discussion emphasizes the operational aspects of employee experience, including training, inclusion, belonging, pay, and benefits. It also introduces the concept of employee activation, where employees are empowered to make local changes to improve their work experience directly.

Keywords

employee experience, employee engagement, case studies, operational aspects, training, inclusion, belonging, pay, benefits, employee activation, BBC, Schiphol, T-Mobile, AirBNB, Kaiser Permanente


Takeaways

Employee experience is a more expansive and refreshed approach compared to traditional employee engagement.
Understanding the specific needs and experiences of different employee groups is crucial for creating inspiring employee experiences.
Operational aspects such as training, inclusion, belonging, pay, and benefits play a significant role in employee experience.
Employee activation empowers employees to make local changes to improve their work experience.



Sound Bites

“Employee experience is the core mission of HR”
“Self-directed and coach-oriented career development is a massive driver of organizational performance”
“Be careful not to threaten employees inadvertently with AI”

Additional Resources
Employee Activation: An Essential Big Idea For 2024
Why The 4-Day Week? Because 33 Year-Olds Now Run The World.
Surprising Results From The World Happiness Report: What It Means To You
 

Microsoft’s Co-Pilot, powered by AI, is being widely used by Fortune 500 companies and has become the largest and most prevalent corporate AI tool in the world. A research report by CompTIA shows that 94% of professional users have used some form of AI, including Microsoft’s Co-Pilot. The company is deploying AI at a massive scale, which is improving productivity and saving users hours per day.
And there’s more. The integration of AI into enterprise applications, such as Workday and SAP, is transforming the way users interact with these systems. Talent intelligence, powered by AI, is becoming an enterprise-class system that goes beyond sourcing and selecting candidates to include internal mobility, pay equity, and performance management. The learning and development space is also experiencing a significant transformation with the use of AI to generate and personalize content. The implementation of AI in the HR tech market is expected to disrupt the industry and companies that adapt quickly will thrive.
Keywords
Microsoft, Co-Pilot, AI, Fortune 500, CompTIA, productivity, enterprise applications, Workday, SAP, talent intelligence, learning and development, HR tech market
Takeaways
Microsoft’s Co-Pilot, powered by AI, is the largest and most prevalent AI tool in the world, used by Fortune 500 companies.
AI is being integrated into various applications, improving productivity and saving users hours per day.
Enterprise applications, such as Workday and SAP, are incorporating AI to transform user interactions.
Talent intelligence, powered by AI, is expanding beyond sourcing and selecting candidates to include internal mobility, pay equity, and performance management.
The learning and development space is undergoing a significant transformation with the use of AI to generate and personalize content.
The implementation of AI in the HR tech market is expected to disrupt the industry, and companies that adapt quickly will thrive.
Sound Bites
“Microsoft’s Co-Pilot is now in use by 60% of the Fortune 500.”
“61% of companies are already using AI in their corporate infrastructure.”
“Microsoft is deploying AI at a scale that’s just spectacular.”
Additional Information
Why I’m Bullish On Workday: News From The Innovation Summit
Enterprise AI At Work: The Talent Intelligence Primer
Will Chatbots Take Over HR Tech? Paradox Sets The Pace.
A Peek Under The Covers Of SAP SuccessFactors’ AI Strategy

This week I attended the Workday Innovation Summit and there’s a lot to discuss. Having just celebrated its 19th birthday, the company is embarking on a major transformation. And it’s not just product innovation that’s happening, the company is greatly expanding its business model.
Additional Information
Workday Innovation Summit: What’s New and Workday’s AI Architecture
Enterprise AI At Work: The Talent Intelligence Primer
Will Chatbots Take Over HR Tech? Paradox Sets The Pace.
The Labor Market Has Totally Changed: Are You Really Ready?

In this podcast I discuss the rapid, unprecedented changes taking place in corporate L&D, and how we have to rethink our entire training strategies. Not only is AI radically changing the landscape, we also have to rethink how we blend training solutions with knowledge management and legacy content too. In many ways this is the dawn of a new era in L&D!
Additional Information
The $340 Billion Corporate Learning Industry Is Poised For Disruption
How To Take A Pragmatic (and winning) Approach To Skills
BetterUp Manage: Pioneering AI-Powered Platform For Leaders