In this episode of "Nine to Thrive HR," host Cindi Koetzle engages with Opal Wagnac, Senior VP of Market and Product Strategy at isolved, to discuss the integration of AI in HR practices. A compelling story begins our conversation reaching back to Opal's early journey in the tech industry and her pioneering focus on a retention predictor back in 2012. Opal advocates for the adoption of AI in HR, illustrating how it will enhance efficiency and decision-making. With practical guidance, she encourages HR professionals to leverage AI to focus on tasks that require humanized thinking, while machines handle data processing and consistency. The discussion also touches on the broader implications of AI in the workplace, advocates for a strategy-led integration of technology, and awareness of “Jetson” level employee expectations.

Nine To Thrive HR

Best Practices for Humanizing your HCM Tech

In this episode of "Nine to Thrive HR," host Cindi Koetzle welcomes back Celia Fleischaker, Chief Marketing Officer at isolved, to discuss the landscape of employee experience as a kryptonite for employee burnout.  The discussion delves into the generational shift in workplace expectations, the importance of personalized employee experiences, and the role of leadership in fostering a positive work environment.  The conversation also explores the connection between employee and customer experience, emphasizing the significance of an organization's culture in aligning with its external brand. With nearly a year of insight, Celia reinforces the company's commitment to living its values internally and leveraging HR technology to enhance the employee journey.

Balancing Employee Expectation and Experience in a Changing Workforce

This guest podcast, originally aired on People Tech, features Mark Feffer and Pragya Gupta, Chief Product and Technology Officer at isolved, as they explore AI's growing impact on HR. In this episode, they discuss shadow AI, automation, and the ethical considerations shaping today’s AI applications in HR. Pragya shares insights on how AI is transforming daily HR tasks, enhancing personalization, and streamlining strategic decisions across organizations.

People Tech with Mark Feffer and Pragya Gupta on AI’s Role in HR

This guest podcast, originally aired on People Tech, features Mark Feffer in conversation with Opal Wagnac, Senior Vice President of Market and Product Strategy at isolved. Together, they unpack the state of AI in HR, exploring how leaders can distinguish between AI solutions that deliver real value and those that are mere hype.

In this episode, Opal discusses the challenges of AI adoption in the workplace, the evolution of tools like retention predictors and recruiting automation, and the growing alignment between human intuition and machine learning. She highlights practical AI applications in recruiting, payroll, and employee learning, while shedding light on how AI is transforming HR tasks to focus on connection, empathy, and strategic innovation.

Opal also delves into the art of the possible, offering a vision of how AI can empower HR professionals to reimagine their roles and elevate the employee experience.

People Tech with Mark Feffer and Opal Wagnac on Navigating AI’s Impact on HR

As the role of brokers continues to evolve, they are no longer just insurance providers but strategic advisors helping businesses navigate workforce complexities.

3Sixty Insights' Geoff Webb sits down with Andrea Dumont, Vice President Channel Marketing at isolved, to discuss how brokers are adapting to meet the changing needs of HR and HCM. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Andrea shares insights into how brokers are expanding their service offerings, leveraging technology, and strengthening client relationships to provide greater value.

She explores the increasing reliance on brokers for strategic business advice, the impact of compliance challenges, and how HR technology plays a central role in delivering long-term success.

How are brokers differentiating themselves in a crowded market? What role does trust and technology play in building lasting client partnerships?

Tune in as Andrea breaks down the latest trends shaping the broker landscape and how HCM platforms like isolved are helping them stay ahead.

#HRTechChat: The Evolving Role of Brokers in HCM with Andrea Dumont of isolved

As quick-service restaurants (QSRs) continue to adapt in a post-pandemic world, the challenges of managing a dynamic, high-turnover workforce have never been more complex.
In this episode of HRTechChat, 3Sixty Insights' Geoff Webb sits down with Yutaka Takagi, Principal Product Evangelist at isolved, to explore the fast-paced world of QSRs and how human capital management technology is playing a pivotal role in workforce transformation.
With deep insight into the daily realities of QSR operators and managers, Yutaka shares how evolving employee expectations—especially among Gen Z—are reshaping hiring, scheduling, and engagement strategies. He explains how the speed and fluidity of the QSR environment demand not only flexible tools but also a shift in how organizations think about HR: from back-office admin to real-time frontline support.
From earned wage access and self-service scheduling to AI-driven hiring and always-on HR chatbots, isolved is helping QSR leaders streamline operations and improve the employee experience—without compromising on cost or efficiency.
What does it take to attract and retain Gen Z talent in a high-churn environment? How can technology reduce friction for managers and enhance engagement for hourly workers? And how are QSRs rethinking their tech stacks to support sustainable growth?
Tune in as Yutaka dives into the unique pressures of the QSR space, the power of automation in small physical workspaces, and how isolved is empowering employers to act fast—and smart—at every stage of the employee journey.


HRTechChat: How Yutaka Takagi and isolved Are Solving Hiring & Retention Challenges in QSRs

As big brands pull back on DEI&B, small and midsize businesses are stepping up. In this episode, Opal Wagnac shares why DEI&B is more than a trend — it’s a business necessity. She explores how SMBs are uniquely positioned to lead with inclusion, close the gender gap, and create workplaces where everyone belongs. From allyship to the bottom-line benefits of belonging, this conversation offers real insights for HR leaders navigating today’s evolving workforce.

Equity at Every Level: From the Boardroom to the Breakroom

As workforce expectations evolve and hiring challenges mount, the need for seamless, scalable recruitment strategies has never been more critical—especially in industries where speed and simplicity make or break business outcomes.

In this episode of #HRTechChat, 3Sixty Insights’ Dylan Teggart sits down with Heidi Barnett, former CEO of ApplicantPro and now President of isolved Talent Acquisition to discuss the recent merger between the two companies—and what it means for the future of talent acquisition.

Heidi brings her marketing-first mindset to HR, unpacking how ApplicantPro’s streamlined, high-conversion applicant tracking capabilities are now being scaled through isolved’s expansive HCM platform. Together, they explore the rising pressures on HR teams in SMB and mid-market companies, the realities of modern recruitment in high-turnover sectors like restaurants and healthcare, and the critical role AI and automation play in supporting overworked managers.

From applicant matching and video screening to managed recruitment services and mobile-first candidate engagement, Heidi explains how isolved and ApplicantPro are combining forces to help businesses move faster, hire smarter, and reduce operational friction—without sacrificing human connection.

What makes recruiting harder than ever in today’s labor market? How can AI actually restore humanity in the hiring process? And how can HR tech providers meet the needs of growing businesses across a fragmented talent landscape?

Tune in as Heidi shares practical insights on speed-to-hire, employee retention, and why the future of recruiting is both tech-driven and deeply human.

#HRTechChat: Heidi Barnett on ApplicantPro’s Evolution and Integration with isolved

Heidi Barnett, President, Talent Acquisition Solutions at isolved, joins Nine to Thrive HR for a deep dive into the future of hiring and employee experience. Heidi shares how ApplicantPro’s full integration into isolved is helping organizations streamline recruiting, enhance employer branding and create more engaging candidate journeys. She also unpacks the critical balance between AI-powered efficiency and the human elements that make a workplace thrive. Tune in for actionable insights on how HR leaders can attract top talent, improve retention and build people-first cultures in today’s competitive landscape.

Redefining Talent Acquisition & Employee Experience in the Age of AI

Payroll fraud is evolving and small and midsize businesses (SMBs) are in the crossfire. In this episode of Nine to Thrive HR, Steve Lenderman, Head of Fraud Prevention, unpacks the rising threat of payroll fraud and why SMBs are often the easiest targets. With schemes averaging $2,800 in losses per month and going undetected for over a year, the stakes are higher than ever.

Inside Payroll Fraud: How SMBs Can Fight Back Without Breaking the Bank

Looking for fresh content to solve your human capital issues but don't have a full hour? Subscribe to the HCI podcast series to gain access to leading HR practitioners from Fortune 1000 companies, as well thought-leaders, authors, and academics. These experts cover everything from talent acquisition and analytics to engagement, retention, and development.

The buying cycle for enterprise software and technology shouldn't be a power struggle between departments. 3Sixty Insights is a research, advisory, and consulting firm providing deep understanding of how to bridge the gap in perception and priorities between stakeholders. Through our research, we unearth strategic approaches for streamlining the decision-making process, successfully managing solutions, and maximizing value from business software and technology investments.

New tracks tagged #isolved