we.CONECT: “The pop in your job” — Aaron, you work as Digital & IT (HR and EHS) at Parker Hannifin. Which tasks would you highlight as particularly interesting? What is most exciting about your role and why are you passionate about your job?
Aaron: One of the things I most enjoy about my job is the variety! On any given day, I could be negotiating a new contract, overseeing an implementation meeting, analyzing a business process or investigating the root cause of a data issue. The most exciting thing I get to do is probably to work on big, challenging problems that affect many thousands of users across the globe; I find the collaboration and mutual learning to be really rewarding.
we.CONECT: At Rethink HR Tech USA 2023, you will present your case study “How to run a successful HRIS upgrade in a global company?”. How would you define your approach to this project?
Aaron: It’s all about having a clear vision that you can articulate in the form of concrete, actionable objectives. From there, success hinges on the right people, the right relationships, proper preparation, execution, and focus.
we.CONECT: What are the biggest challenges in this area and how have you overcome them?
Aaron: In this particular case, the major obstacles had to do with how far behind we had fallen with maintaining our application version and infrastructure. We were severely constrained by the system’s technical limitations, as well as the age and incompatibility of the servers and middleware on which we ran the software. For those reasons, we ended up having to upgrade not only the core application, but every component that sat beneath it. Stop by my session to learn more…!
we.CONECT: Looking to the future, what topics and upcoming trends in HR do you expect in the next 12 months? How do you expect the market to develop?
Aaron: I expect the HR technology market to continue to consolidate, even while a stream of new players enters the space. This is the cycle we’ve seen repeat itself in waves over the past 30 years or so. More specifically, when it comes to actual topics that will drive the conversation, I foresee an overwhelming focus on artificial intelligence and machine learning, plus companies will continue to reckon with the tight labor market, promoting diversity & equity, and remote working; and I think software companies will want to solve those problems.
we.CONECT: What are your learning expectations at Rethink HR Tech 2023? Which topics are particularly important for you?
Aaron: I guess it says it in the title of the conference – hopefully we are all coming together with an open mind, seeking to “rethink” some of our assumptions and reset expectations. I accepted the invitation to present at the conference because I am a big believer in the power of networks and peer-to-peer learning. I am looking forward to the questions and audience interaction as much as I am to my own presentation.
we.CONECT: Glad to hear it. Thanks for sharing your insights, Aaron. We’re looking forward to a productive exchange at Rethink HR Tech USA!
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