In Scottsdale, Arizona, Visier, a global leader in people analytics, concluded their annual Outsmart conference with a powerful message about the future of HR. This year’s conference, titled “The New Age of People Impact,” underscored a paradigm shift in the expectations placed on Human Resources. The event, held against the scenic views of Camelback Mountain, drew together a vibrant community of HR innovators and leaders from around the world.

Visier has challenged the conventional role of HR, advocating for data-driven insights that transform HR departments into pivotal contributors to business performance. This transformation comes on the heels of four tumultuous years marked by global crises, during which the demands on HR soared significantly. Businesses are increasingly reliant on sophisticated people analytics to navigate a complex landscape of talent shortages, productivity demands, and competitive pressures.

Paul Rubenstein, Chief Customer Officer at Visier and the event’s emcee, highlighted a significant evolution in the field: “People analytics has shifted from being a peripheral project to a central operating system for progressive companies.” He pointed out the critical role of data in modernizing HR strategies, helping them evolve from operational support to central players in shaping business outcomes.

One of the significant announcements at Outsmart was the launch of “Open for Builders,” Visier’s strategic initiative aimed at enhancing analytical capabilities and fostering innovation within the HR sector. This initiative is expected to empower HR professionals and analysts to harness the full potential of people data, address unique workforce challenges, and drive substantial business impacts.

The conference also spotlighted the democratization of HR insights through advanced technological tools, particularly Visier’s new generative AI-based digital assistant, Vee. This tool is designed to make complex data analysis accessible across organizational levels, and it has been rolled out at an impressive scale, reaching over two million users to date. According to Josh Bersin, a globally recognized industry analyst, Vee represents one of the most significant advancements in applying generative AI within the HR field.

Visier’s commitment to innovation was further underscored by presentations from Ryan Wong, co-founder and CEO, who outlined the company’s primary objectives, which include unlocking additional value from their offerings, encouraging community-based innovation, and further developing their AI capabilities. Visier’s forward-looking strategy positions it at the forefront of redefining the interface between people management and business success.

Outsmart also served as a platform for recognizing pioneering work in the field of people analytics. The Vizzie Awards celebrated exceptional achievements across several categories, acknowledging the profound impact sophisticated analytics can have on organizational practices.

Furthermore, the sessions included insights from renowned speakers such as Dean Carter, a prominent HR leader with experiences in companies like Patagonia and Sears, and Erin Meyer, a best-selling author and academic, who shared perspectives on cultivating corporate cultures that drive successful business models.

Visier’s Outsmart conference not only celebrated strides in HR analytics but also set the stage for a future where HR leaders are as integral to shaping business strategies as their counterparts in finance and operations. As companies continue to navigate a rapidly changing business environment, the insights provided by advanced people analytics will undoubtedly become more valuable in driving informed decision-making and strategic workforce planning.