HR Tech 2016: 10 Epic Presentations You Won't Want to Miss

The 2016 HR Technology Conference & Exposition is shaping up to be an exciting event, packed with innovative presentations from the world's leading experts in business and human resources.

There are so many great events and speakers to check out, we put together a list of the ones we think you absolutely shouldn't miss.

1. The HR Hacklab

If you can dream it, you can build it.

We're really excited for the HR Hacklab. This event is the public's opportunity to turn great ideas into real products -- all within 48 hours.

Have a great idea to improve the way we work? You might just see it come to life.

Attendees get a chance to interface with some of the HR Tech world's most talented designers and iOS/Android developers, sharing ideas about how to improve processes, and make a positive impact overall on the workday.

There's limited space available and this this event is first-come-first-serve, so make sure to get there early if you want to attend the creative phase.

2. Reinventing HR: A Radical New Approach to HR Technology and Solutions

As modern business and the competition for top talent evolves, it's increasingly important to stay ahead of the curve. New technologies and methodologies are changing the face of HR.

One of the most transformative modern trends is how "digital HR is disrupting organizations in an unprecedented way and forcing HR leaders to re-evaluate their current practices and approaches." 

We look forward to hearing Josh Bersin share his thoughts on the latest trends in HR tech, and what they mean for the profession as a whole.

You can check out more notes on the event, and add it to your schedule here.

3. PepsiCo: Performance With Purpose — A Global HR Transformation Success Story in the Cloud

It's one thing to talk about change, but implementing it is another thing entirely. Although it may seem daunting, there is no better time than the present to start building the latest strategies and tools into your organization. 

Looking for proof? This will be a great talk to attend.

We're excited to hear PepsiCo SVP, Global HR Operations & Shared Services, Shakti Jauhar share insights and practical advice from his experience implementing modern HR tools into a global workforce of 250,000 employees.

4. How the HR Technology Landscape Is Changing: The Silicon Valley VC View

The field of HR Tech is growing exponentially, and evolving so quickly, sometimes it's hard to keep track. Few have their finger on the pulse of emerging markets and innovative new vendors like the VC firms that fund and guide them. 

Nick Sturiale, Managing Partner at Ignition Partners is sharing his experience and the insights he's gained through over two decades in Silicon Valley, and his involvement with over 100 startups. 

If you're as excited as we are to learn what's on the cutting edge, and where new trends are forming, you won't want to miss this talk.

5. Empowering a Better Candidate Experience: Capital One’s Transformative Business of Recruiting

Building a talent magnet is an extraordinary, perpetual, but worthwhile challenge.

One of the most important elements of that task is developing a great environment for employees, starting with a truly extraordinary candidate experience.

We're thrilled to hear from ChristinaMcClung, leader of Capital One's US and International Card Recruiting team share how they've developed a candidate experience to "emphasize the candidate as a customer."

She'll be joined by Kevin Grossman, whom you may already know from TalentCulture's #TChat series, and the Candidate Experience Awards.

6. Managing Workforce Retention and Identifying High Performers With Predictive Analytics

Communication and support are the foundation of an employee/employer relationship, but sometimes the greatest challenge is knowing when that support is necessary.

Wouldn't it be great to have a crystal ball that could tell you at a glance which employees are performing above and beyond their peers, and which you're at risk of losing? There are few things worse than finding a resignation letter on your desk, with no idea why. 

Enter, predictive analytics. 

GreggPaulk, Director of Information Technologies at the Anderson Centers for Autism will be speaking about the transformative impact predictive analytics have made in their ability to identify top performers, and take proactive retention measures.

Can't wait for this talk? 

We've got you covered with a great interview we did with Lisa Donchak, of the Wharton School's People Analytics Conference on this topic. 

7. How Technology and Year-Round Communications Get Employees Fully Engaged With Benefits

Developing a competitive benefits strategy and achieving widespread engagement with it are two separate, but equally important goals.

There are a lot of truly exceptional benefits packages that go underutilized.

If you have an exceptional package, but nobody actively engages with it, what's the point? If your benefits package is misaligned with the goals and values of your team, it's a waste of resources and a missed opportunity to realize the full potential of the program.

JenniferBenz, CEO & Founder of Benz Communications will be speaking on the value targeted communication tools can have in improving employee experience, and how you can use them to improve yours.

If you're interested in learning more in advance, check out our article on some simple wins benefits strategies often miss out on.

8. HR Tech for Employees: Penguin Random House's Evolution to an Employee-Centric Work Experience

Every organization has a responsibility to its employees -- to cultivate an environment that not only supports them in completing their assigned duties, but also helps them to grow as individuals.

Most embrace that responsibility; however, it's not always communicated or addressed as effectively as possible.

We're excited to attend this talk, and learn how Penguin Random House managed to achieve its administrative HR goals while building and extraordinary, employee-centric organizational environment.

9. The Employer Value Proposition: What the CHRO Needs to Know

Although it may sound like sales-speak, or something you'd hear in a marketing meeting, your Employer Value Proposition (EVP) is an extraordinarily important tool -- not only for recruitment, but for employee engagement and employee retention as well.

Think about it this way: if the proposed value of an employee's dedication to your organization is less than that of your competitors, you're at a huge disadvantage in the competition for top talent.

Madeline Laurano, Co-Founder of Aptitude Research Partners and Trish McFarlane CEO & Co-Founder of H3HR Advisors are speaking on the most important points of the EVP: how to define, align, communicate, and use it to your organization's advantage.

If you're interested in learning more, check out our recent article on Employee Value Propositions.

10. Analytics 2020: Building the Future of HR Insights With Machines and AI

What does the HR organization of the future look like? 

It's being discussed more and more frequently, as new tools and technologies threaten to leapfrog many HR functions into obsolescence. AI and machine learning aren't just science fiction anymore, and they're going to have a tremendous impact on the way we approach HR.

Does that mean the end of HR, or just the end of HR as we know it?

As technology and operations evolve, HR practitioners will need to embrace these new tools, and use them to bring a new kind of value to the table.

We're excited to hear Jeremy Welland, Wes Wu, and Dawn Klinghoffer share their thoughts and insights on the impact of advanced technology on HR, and learn the new types of competencies the HR leader of the near future will need to develop.

Looking Ahead:

We're excited to be at HR Tech 2016, and are looking forward to seeing all of you there. For a full list of events and their corresponding times, check out the HR Technology Conference & Exposition schedule.

Interested in connecting with the Bonusly team in person at HR Tech 2016? We'd love to meet you -- come check out our booth in the Startup Pavilion!

You don't have to wait for the event to get started building an extraordinary organizational culture though. Check out our latest guide: