The latest HR on the Offensive podcast looks at a recent HR Magazine article that questioned whether employees and HR teams are suffering a tech overload because of the number of systems they are using.

The HR Magazine article itself can be found here - https://www.hrmagazine.co.uk/content/news/hr-risks-tech-overload-following-pandemic-software-surge

Can you have too much HR tech?

We're excited to launch our new campaign: Becoming Skills-Powered. In this episode of the "HR on the Offensive" podcast, Chris is joined by LACE team members Pavan Bilkhoo, Romy Hobson, and Gemma Ryall to talk about the campaign's goals and the importance of skills-based organisations.

These organisations look beyond job titles to recognise employees for their wide range of skills from different experiences and personal lives. This approach changes how we think about talent and work, focusing on matching the right people to the right tasks to improve flexibility and efficiency.

This approach brings flexibility, cost savings, and the ability to quickly adapt to business changes. For employees, it offers clear career paths, opportunities to learn new skills, and more chances to move up within the organisation.

Our campaign aims to simplify the information about skills-based organisations and break it down into practical steps. This will help organisations keep up with rapid changes and tackle skill shortages by using internal talent instead of always hiring from outside. 

Find out more about "Becoming skills-powered": https://lacepartners.co.uk/becoming-skills-powered/

How can skills-based organisations transform HR practices?

The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report for 2025 highlights a massive transformation in the global job market. An estimated 170 million new jobs will be emerging in the next decade, alongside the displacement of around 92 million roles. That's a net increase, but it underscores the sheer scale of the skills evolution we're facing. In the latest HR on the Offensive podcast. Chris is joined by LACEr and talent expert Pavan Bilkhoo, as they discuss the looming skills gap facing UK organisation. This is not a distant problem; the Open University Business Barometer from last year already showed that a significant chunk of UK organisations – over 60% – are grappling with skills shortages right now. 

HR leaders must carve out time for strategic reflection. Making space to think critically about workforce transformation is what will set future-fit organisations apart. Listen now to learn how to modernise your workforce strategy and ensure the future readiness of your workforce.

How to modernise your workforce strategy to tackle skills gaps

Strategic Workforce Planning (SWP) is no longer about spreadsheets and headcount forecasts. It’s about driving real business change.  

In this episode of the People Agenda podcast, host Chris Howard is joined by some of our people analytics team; Nancy Allen, Jo Clarke de Dromantin and Julian Holmes as they reflect on the SWP Conference London.  During the conference it was acknowledged how SWP had shifted from cost control to business transformation. Today, SWP exists to tackle real business challenges including productivity, growth, skills shortages, and AI adoption, rather than simply managing numbers or budgets. 

SWP needs to account for all forms of work. That means looking beyond full-time employees to include contractors and contingent labour, as well as bots, automation systems, and AI agents. Workforce planning is evolving into workforce plus automation planning, reflecting how work is truly delivered today. 

SWP Conference 2025: Key insights

Are you an HR leader grappling with the complexities of HR tech, transformation, or change management? Then, listen to the People Agenda podcast (previously the HR on the Offensive podcast) for cutting-edge insights, actionable strategies, and real-world success stories to tackle your biggest HR challenges.

In each episode, we dive into the latest trends, expert advice, and practical solutions to help you stay ahead in a rapidly evolving workplace.

Whether you're looking to drive adoption of new technology, lead organisational change, or simply optimise your HR strategy, you'll leave every episode with fresh perspectives and tools to take your initiatives to the next level.

Subscribe now and join us on the journey to reshape the future of HR

SWP Conference 2025: Key insights

The People Agenda

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