Adios 2019, Hello 2020

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” Walt Disney.  Good advice for someone with writers block at the moment.  As many know, I’m constantly in awe and inspired by Disney.  It’s where I love to vacation, it’s my guiding light for creativity and above all the standard I measure all customer service.  So of course this is where I’ve turned to inspiration for this week’s article.  Being my last article of 2019, I’ll make it short and summative of what I’ve seen and where I think things will be heading in 2020.

The HR Perfect Storm will grow in Intensity

The U.S. Unemployment Rate just moved down to 3.5 percent for the first time in 50 years.  The economy shows no sign of losing steam.  This will continue to put pressure on organizations to source and acquire talent.  News flash for today; Degreed just acquired Adepto (a small talent platform company).  Talent Software and Tech will be red hot in 2020.  Which is also why Microsoft has entered the arena as well.  Look to much more attention being played in this space and more innovation to occur in shorter cycles as companies compete.

People, Process and Technology

Throughout my travels in 2019 (8 countries / 150k miles) I met with CHRO’s who are all working toward various transformation initiatives.  I would argue that the term “Digital Transformation” will drop the “Digital” aspect since it will essentially be implied.  Most recently in this area is the topic of experienced workers (Gen X’ers) indirectly referenced in regard to their knowledge developing more automated processes.  As I’ve stated in my Gen X article, this particular generation is more adept in using critical thinking with technology to solve problems.  While I don’t relish the term “older workers” as this article sometimes refers, it does pose an interesting point to how People, Process and Technology will work in the next decade.

2020 Buzzwords

The second coming of “xAPI” and “Tin Can.”  Be prepared to hear “AI” as the universal peanut butter being spread all over the HR Tech World next year.  Much like people routinely threw out the xAPI term in RFPs and Vendor Meetings (without knowing how to actually leverage it) “AI” will become the next overused term for RFPs and meetings.  It’s because there is no single defining point for what AI is, hence people will apply the term to almost anything that has some sort of automation.  Everything will also be “Talent Management” in 2020 – regardless of where it flows or participates in the employee lifecycle.  Lastly, “Personalized” and “Human” will fill out your buzzword Bingo cards. 

And Disney….

So I have to say I’m really digging Disney+.  I truly see this platform as a disruptor in the streaming platform space.  There’s just too much top shelf content to compete with versus the other players.  And they’ve added some great original content as well.  Like most, I find Baby Yoda to be adorable (bonus points for adding “Baby Yoda” to this article).  But what I’ve enjoyed most is the Imagineering Series that is a historical look at the Innovators and Dreamers who Walt Disney assembled to execute on his ideas.  It’s totally worth the time to see how “Magic Happens.”  Beyond my time in front of the TV, I’ll be counting down the days to our family’s Disney Cruise early next year.  How else am I going to use all those airline miles!

In closing, I want to thank all of those who have taken time to read my ramblings this year as I present my own thoughts on where HR and HR Tech are heading.  Stay tuned for much more in 2020. My family and I wish you the Happiest of Holidays and a Very Merry Christmas!