Author: joshbersin

The Agile Model comes to Management, Learning, and Human Resources

The Agile Model comes to Management, Learning, and Human Resources

Over the last five years the business of software development has been totally transformed by the concepts of agile development.  So is the business of Management and Human Resources.

What is  the Agile model of software development? Instead of using the traditional “waterfall” approach to building software (which involves a step-by-step process of requirements ... Read more»

Update from TaleoWorld 2011:  Talent Intelligence, Mobile, and LinkedIn Partnership

Update from TaleoWorld 2011: Talent Intelligence, Mobile, and LinkedIn Partnership

This week Taleo held their annual user conference and attracted more than 1,600 customers. As part of the event Taleo introduced two new product enhancements – one called Taleo Radar and the other a major announcement with LinkedIn.  In this blog I will discuss Taleo’s strategy and talent intelligence story, and overview the Radar and ... Read more»

Small Silver Lining in August Jobs Data

Small Silver Lining in August Jobs Data

This labor day weekend we learned that the US economy created no new jobs in August, resulting in a 2.2% drop in the stock market on Friday.

After looking at the data in historic perspective, I want to point out some of the dynamics taking place and give you a slightly more positive perspective.

  • Since
... Read more»
The Real Succession Plan for Steve Jobs:  Apple Thinks Different with Apple University

The Real Succession Plan for Steve Jobs: Apple Thinks Different with Apple University

This week’s announcement of Steve Jobs’ succession to Chairman puts the topic of success management back on the front page.  When such a strong leader steps aside, how does Apple maintain its admired culture of innovation, execution, and business growth?  There is more here than turning over the reigns to Tim Cook:  Apple has a ... Read more»

Talent Priorities in Today’s Economic Environment:  Leadership, Engagement, Quality of Hire

Talent Priorities in Today’s Economic Environment: Leadership, Engagement, Quality of Hire

We just completed our latest TalentWatch research (our semi-annual report on business and talent trends) and as most HR and business leaders know, we are in a very strange talent environment.  One one hand we have a US unemployment rate over 9% and Europe is still in early recovery. On the other hand, businesses tell ... Read more»

Workday 14:  Amazing Enterprise Software for HR

Workday 14: Amazing Enterprise Software for HR

Today Workday introduced release 14, the latest upgrade of the company’s SaaS HR and Financials application.  I rarely gush at enterprise software, but in this case I have to admit I was “wowed” by the progress the company has made.

Workday’s product now spans the range of ERP applications from financials to human resources, workforce ... Read more»

SuccessFactors Q2 2011 Financials – Plateau Moves to SaaS Focus

SuccessFactors Q2 2011 Financials – Plateau Moves to SaaS Focus

SuccessFactors just announced another stellar quarter (48% YTY growth in revenues, 42% YTY growth in billings), and the CEO Lars Dalgaard talked extensively about the company’s progress with the acquisitions of Infohrm, Cubetree, Jambok, and Plateau.

First, from a financial standpoint SuccessFactors continues to grow at an amazing rate.  The talent management software market is ... Read more»

Badges Swarm the Internet (and soon Intranet)

Badges Swarm the Internet (and soon Intranet)

Over the last year we’ve observed the “gamification” of various web-based systems.  Social learning systems now have “leaderboards” to show who uploaded the most highly ranked content.  Sales training applications in pharmaceutical companies give employees “virtual money” for making the sale.  Feedback and social recognition systems like Rypple and ILuvRewards encourage employees to ... Read more»

SumTotal Announces Acquisition of Accero and CyberShift

SumTotal Announces Acquisition of Accero and CyberShift

Today SumTotal Systems, one of the largest (privately held) providers of learning and talent management software, announced the acquisition of both Accero (global complex payroll provider) and CyberShift (mid-sized provider of time and attendance, expense management, and contingent workforce management software).

(Research members can read our detailed bulletin on SumTotal and this acquisition tomorrow.)

Background:... Read more»

Yes, HR Really Does Make a Difference – HR Factbook Research Proves Business Value

Yes, HR Really Does Make a Difference – HR Factbook Research Proves Business Value

This week we published the first ever HR Factbook®, a comprehensive benchmarking study which summarizes almost two years of research into the spending, resource allocation, and staffing levels of corporate Human Resources.  I am particularly proud of this research, because not only does it provide valuable benchmarking information for any HR manager, it also ... Read more»

Blackboard to go Private:  Giving the Company Freedom to Invest

Blackboard to go Private: Giving the Company Freedom to Invest

Over the last ten years Blackboard has been one of the most successful learning technology companies in the market. Its platform is now the dominant system for secondary and university education and has been growing market share in primary education and in the corporate market. The company’s corporate LMS business is now in the top ... Read more»

The War between LinkedIn, Monster’s BeKnown, and BranchOut

The War between LinkedIn, Monster’s BeKnown, and BranchOut

The war for professional networking has just escalated. This week LinkedIn shut off it’s API (programming interface) to the hot new Facebook-enabled professional networks BranchOut and Monster’s BeKnown.  (TechCrunch broke this news.) What they’re essentially saying is “if you want to build a professional network and monetize all that we’ve built, you have ... Read more»