In the April edition of the newsletter, I share my thoughts on how a clear vision can strengthen your strategy, and I describe three different paths forward for HR in a digital era. I also summarize the latest trends in HR Tech, highlight current reports and insights, recommend new podcast episodes, and list important upcoming events. All to provide you with inspiration and insights to help you navigate through times of change. 🌟
If you attended the event "The Employee Behind the Data" this April, you might remember that I brought some small toy figures with me on stage. In this month's column, I continue exploring that theme: how important your vision is for making your strategy truly effective – no matter which area you are working to change.
How much do you actually think about the vision before you get started?
One thing we know for sure: the brain loves a clear vision that acts like a magnet. Especially when it becomes concrete and tangible — like a toy figure.
HR Systems Survey from Sapient Insights Group is now open!
Have you participated before? Then you already know that taking part is almost as valuable as receiving the report itself. It gives you a great opportunity to reflect on your HR Tech environment and your strategy.
The report is based on around 3,000 companies’ responses. Everyone who participates receives the report for free. It’s a crucial tool for me in my work and one that is built entirely on independent customer insights.
So please help everyone in HR by participating this year!
🇸🇪 Sign up here: https://go.hrdigi.se/nyhetsbrev
🇬🇧 Register for the English version: https://go.hrdigi.se/newsletter
When I gave a talk about AI and data in HR this April, I brought three toy figures onto the stage: a toy horse, a car, and the good fairy. They symbolized three different vision metaphors for how an HR strategy can look in a time of digital transformation – or rather, the digital disruption we are currently experiencing.
And describing the goal using three objects also makes it easier to remember them:
🐎 The Horse – improving the existing
The horse represents the traditional HR perspective, where you improve and adjust existing processes and move them into digital solutions.
The classic quote from Henry Ford when he created the car: “If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said: a faster horse.”
This strategy focuses on refining what already exists – without necessarily exploring alternative paths forward. Regardless, the horse strategy is a good starting point and a stable foundation to build upon.
🚗 The Car – embracing modern technology to drive change
The car symbolizes a more forward-leaning HR perspective where technology, data, and AI are integrated into workflows and processes.
Here, HR creates new solutions adapted to our changing needs, using new opportunities — not just improved versions of yesterday’s routines.
🧚 The Good Fairy – visionary and transformative thinking
The good fairy represents visionary HR leadership.
Here, AI, data, and strategic thinking are used to shape the future organization.
HR takes an active role as a change engine, a champion for employees, and a partner to the business.
Here, tech and data are enablers for entirely new ways of working and solving problems. It might feel like magic — but it is completely possible.
🔍 Where are you today – and where do you want to go?
In a time when AI and digitalization are fundamentally transforming working life, it is crucial that HR thinks bigger.
I often emphasize lifting our gaze and seeing beyond the familiar — becoming the good fairy who has the answers and can use her abilities for good.
Is it time to leave the horse in the stable?
To focus on the car as a symbol for a modern HR organization?
Or is it the vision of the fairy that guides your HR strategy?
What does your organization need, and what is it capable of?
Feel free to reach out if you need help: anna@hrdigi.se
Walpurgis Night (Valborg) is approaching and the podcast season is nearing its summer break.
So far this spring, the most popular episode is still:
"Pay Transparency Directive: New Requirements for Managers and HR 2026 - Daniel Edenholm."
April episodes:
You can find all episodes on our website: https://www.hrdigi.se/podcast
Enjoy what you hear? 🎧
Please share a podcast post like this one with your industry colleagues!
Link to the latest episode here!
And feel free to leave a rating in your podcast app 🌟🌟🌟
THANK YOU!
The economic downturn and shrinking budgets are creating less activity in the industry. What I’m noticing is that an unusually large number of reports are being published.
After the summer, I will compile all the information and, as usual, prepare my insights for 2025.
Industry veteran Fredrik Nylander, most recently a top executive at HR giant Workday, will take over as chairman."Quinyx holds a unique position to help organizations tackle challenges in workforce management and scheduling. With its innovative, AI-driven platform and global presence, the company has much in common with the tech firms I’ve worked with. I look forward to supporting Quinyx in its next growth chapter," he commented in Dagens Industri (DI).
Curious about what Spotify and Fiskars shared at HR Tech Europe?
You can find the link to that here!
Lighthouse Research has released the 2025 HR Tech Awards
Supported by UNLEASH, this year’s winners are announced, and the awards will be presented at Unleash America.
Read more here!
New global report from Deloitte: 2025 Global Human Capital Trends
The report highlights that future organizations need to find the balance between stability and rapid adaptability, integrate AI in a way that enhances human value, and create new opportunities for learning and belonging in an increasingly digital and flexible work environment.
You can find the link to the report here!
Gartner Magic Quadrant for Talent Acquisition Suites has been released
If you're a subscriber, you can find the full report at Gartner.
For those like me who aren't, I found the quadrant itself published by two of the leaders, Oracle and SmartRecruiters, and I was also able to download the report from SmartRecruiters 👏🏻
Workday also has an honorable spot on the list, which I guess is linked to their acquisition of HiredScore.
I’m missing Swedish Teamtailor, which I assume still doesn’t fully meet Gartner’s tough requirements.
The guide from Visma Talent Solutions explains the basics of strategic workforce planning, shows how different processes are connected, and provides you with a foundation for taking the next step.
You can find the link to the guide here!
In an opinion article, Shoka Åhrman writes that AI, skills transformation, and reskilling are crucial strategic tools for companies and employees to keep up.
"HR departments can use AI to identify skills gaps, optimize recruitment, and tailor training, which strengthens engagement and future-proofs the workforce."
You can find the link to the article here!
Talentech conducted online surveys via their platform with over 5,000 candidates in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and the Netherlands.
Talentech notes that the report highlights the most important factors influencing candidates’ choices — from transparent communication and thoughtful onboarding to a company culture that feels right from day one.
Link to the report you find here!
During May and June, you won’t see me at many public events.
Instead, I will be facilitating network meetings with my HR tech networks and working closely with my clients.
Monday Lunch with me in Stockholm on May 12 🥗
Sign up on my LinkedIn page. 👋
HR Tech Las Vegas, September 16–18
Link to the event here!
What’s on your agenda?
Are you exhibiting, participating, or simply looking to develop your skills?
You can find most of what you need in the event list.
(🇬🇧 = in English, 🇸🇪 = in Swedish)
One of the interesting takeaways from The Employee Behind the Data event was getting a snapshot of where participants are in their maturity journey regarding the use of data, AI, and analytics in their HR operations:
You can find the link to the event here!
🇸🇪 May 9, 2025 – Stockholm – Talent Vision 2025
Link to the event here!
🇬🇧 🇸🇪 May 20, 2025 – Stockholm – People Analytics Summit
Link to the event here!
🇬🇧 🇸🇪 September 10, 2025 – Malmö – Nordic Edtech Summit
Link to the event here!
🇸🇪 🇬🇧 September 17–18, 2025 – Stockholm – Learning Conference
Link to the event here!
🇸🇪 September 23 – October 7, 2025 – Digital – HR loves 💜 tech & AI
Link to the event here!
🇸🇪 October 14–15, 2025 – Stockholm – The Future of HR: AI, Data and Digitalization Opportunities
Link to the event here!
🇸🇪 October 2025 – Stockholm – HR Dagarna
https://hrforeningen.se/event/hr-dagarna/
🇸🇪 November – Stockholm – HR System Day
🇺🇸 September 16–18 – Las Vegas – HR Tech Global
THE event of the year – always! 👇 This year's theme: "Be the Change"
Link to the event here!
🇫🇷 October 21–22 – Paris – Unleash World
https://www.unleash.ai/unleashworld/passes-unleash-world-2025/
The goal of this newsletter is to share updates about the HR Tech market and the areas of digitalization, AI, and innovation for leadership and HR, as well as to highlight new episodes of the HR Digitalization Podcast.
My name is Anna Carlsson, and I am a curious HR Tech analyst with over 20 years of experience at the intersection of business, people, and technology.
I believe that technology is not a side activity within HR — digitalization and AI are essential for creating a more human-centered workplace.
My passion is to lead the movement toward the future of HR, by building it together with clients and colleagues and by educating and developing organizations and individuals.
I run HR Digi, where we offer consulting, advisory services, training, and inspiration to create a modern digital organization.
The HR Digitalization Podcast is one of my important channels for sharing knowledge.
I am also proud to be one of the Top 100 HR Tech Influencers of 2024.
Book a virtual coffee with me, and let’s discuss how I can support your work!
(And yes – of course – I also use AI to help me write this newsletter.)
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