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The HR community has given its clear backing to technology as the key to solving the major challenges facing businesses.
Human Resources Director’s Service Provider Awards 2024 become crucial partners for businesses, expertly guiding them through a swiftly changing landscape.
According to KPMG Australia’s report, Keeping Us Up at Night, on the big issues facing business leaders in 2024, HR software tech leaders are well-positioned to make a huge impact as technology is connected to the top five challenges identified by participating business leaders.
This highlights how the innovative solutions from this year’s HRD Service Provider Award winners are enabling businesses to leverage technology for long-term success.
Further showcasing the pivotal role HRD’s winners have to play is Australian HR Institute’s (AHRI) Australian Work Outlook for the June quarter of 2024.
The data shows that 57% of employers believe a skills gap has a significant or negative impact on their organisation’s productivity.
Employers also reported their most popular tactic to minimise recruitment difficulties is to upskill existing staff. This is again something that HRD’s winners have shown they can provide solutions for.
Another data set from the AHRI shows 35% of employers believe that one of the most effective ways to reduce unscheduled absences is investigating and reviewing job quality, which encompasses whether people have the tools and resources they need to do their jobs effectively.
Aside from supporting employers directly, HRD’s winners have a key role to play for employees. Data shows that their tech-driven HR solutions can solve several of the leading causes of stress, including excessive workload, unattractive roles (repetitive tasks) and leadership or management style/quality.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is another significant part of many of HRD’s winners’ offerings. Global technological research and consulting firm Gartner’s analysis shows these firms are part of the future of business.
“Everyday AI technology aims to help employees deliver work with speed, comprehensiveness and confidence,” says Adam Preset, VP analyst at Gartner. “It supports a new way of working, where intelligent software is acting as more of a collaborator than a tool. The digital workplace is now entering the era of everyday AI. In many ways, everyday AI is the future of workforce productivity.”
Gartner’s analysis also states, “As technology vendors seek ways to improve productivity among workers that go beyond traditional application and feature enhancements, they can look towards everyday AI. This technology not only delivers productivity benefits, but also provides new marketable offerings, such as tools to help workers find and synthesise relevant information, answer questions more comprehensively and produce work artifacts more easily.”
All this data and logic showcases why HRD’s gold, silver and bronze medalists are distinguishing themselves as industry leaders across 12 key service areas spanning:
employee wellbeing and support
recruitment and talent management
human resources and workforce management
learning and development
legal and compliance
To identify the best HR software vendors in Australia and New Zealand, HRD issued a call for entries in June 2024. Over 100 HR tech trailblazers participated, each carefully evaluated by HRD’s team. The top three in each category earned their place on the winners’ podium.
Since its launch in Australia in 2019, the fast-growing top HR software vendor has gained significant traction, evidenced by its 70% client growth in FY23–24 compared to FY22–FY23, with revenue up 71% in the same period.
“We always do the right thing, we inform, we care, and that’s not just about each other but also about our clients,” head of operations Mollie Eckersley says.
BrightHR’s comprehensive HR, people management, and health and safety software tools have helped over 100,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the UK and Ireland reduce their administrative workload, giving them precious time for strategic initiatives that bolster the bottom line.
The BrightHR team prides itself on its collaborative culture, where employees are engaged and motivated to go above and beyond for clients in a fast-paced environment.
The software company distinguishes itself as a trailblazer in several key areas:
employment law support: provides employment law advice to help customers navigate Australia’s complex industrial relations laws, integrated with relevant software solutions
unified HR platform: streamlines HR processes into a single platform, eliminating the need for customers to use multiple platforms to manage their HR needs
24/7 HR support: offers the hotline, BrightAdvice, ensuring round-the-clock support
AI-powered search tool: the free-to-access Bright BrAInbox provides answers to over 15,000 questions specific to the ANZ region, backed by over a decade of employment relations experience and a team of highly trained advisers
“BrAInbox is one of our unique features,” Eckersley explains. “It’s crucial for our clients, especially small business owners, who need quick answers without having to call in. If there’s no answer, we update it to ensure we’re always current with legislation and client needs.”
BrightHR’s software suite is accessible via desktop and mobile and includes features such as:
AI-powered search
shift planning
time tracking
absence management
holiday planning
expense tracking
payroll navigation
redundancy management
document storage
recruitment tools
employee recognition
an online marketplace
The company prioritises staying ahead of the curve through constant research and development. It is customer-led, and client feedback drives all new features and developments. The team consistently asks for client input to ensure it builds useful and engaging tools.
“This is one of our strengths,” Eckersley adds. “Every feature we roll out, anything new we are working on and prioritising for development, all come from our customers.”
The multi-award-winning recruitment firm has steadily gained prominence for building client partnerships beyond simply filling roles since opening its doors in 2016.
Lloyd Connect has disrupted the status quo by being an early adopter of various emerging technologies, which has played an instrumental role in transforming recruitment in Australia.
“Our approach is client-centric,” says co-founder and director of connections, Jenny Lloyd. “You have one consultant who recruits for the business, which means we understand their culture and what works within their team. We’ve filled over 80 positions for one client across IT, sales, marketing, HR, and more, and we’ve been working with them since 2018.”
The top recruitment firm leverages a robust suite of fully integrated technologies directly into its applicant tracking system, including:
JobAdder to streamline the recruitment process
AI-powered automation (RoiAI), utilising machine learning for chatbots, activity tracking and email
enhanced communication tools such as VXT, facilitating seamless candidate engagement through telephone and SMS integration, tracking each communication in JobAdder
leveraging Seek’s extensive talent pool directly through JobAdder, combined with other proven search strategies to identify the best candidates
Referoo to simplify the reference and police check process, ensuring a quick, easy and compliant onboarding experience
“We have one system where you can see and access everything, and it’s working brilliantly,” says Lloyd. “We’re in the early stages of scoping and developing an app with Sedin Technologies to support the requirements and compliance needs of the education sector.”
The company takes pride in supporting its diverse team of many working parents and emphasised flexible work options before the pandemic lockdowns that ushered in remote work.
“All my staff are a bit more mature and into their second career in recruitment, and they bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the team,” says Lloyd, cheerfully adding that one staff member is a former top pastry chef.
Lloyd Connect’s consistent recognition as a top recruiter is a result of:
being the first Australian agency to offer Talent as a Service (TaaS), a 12-month subscription-based integrated recruitment solution that is flexible and caters to ongoing talent needs
strategic use of AI to automate and streamline routine processes
embracing change and innovation, experimenting with new technologies
a client-centric approach that features a dedicated consultant who becomes a trusted advisor
“I think AI can be a game changer in a positive way if used properly,” she says. “But if you don’t implement it correctly, it could damage your business and brand. It’s important to ensure it’s used as the right piece of the puzzle.”
As a top employee engagement provider, Reward Gateway partners with organisations to help make the world a better place to work. Its over 1,000 employees passionately pursue this lofty goal as they partner with clients to celebrate what makes them unique.
The company accomplishes this by leveraging HR tech to attract, retain and engage employees through reward and recognition solutions, such as employee discounts to amplify people’s disposable income and mental, physical and emotional support to drive connection, productivity and performance.
“Our people are genuinely excited about partnering with organisations to help drive potential and create an environment where employees can thrive,” says Kylie Green, managing director, APAC.
Reward Gateway’s all-in-one employee engagement platform is at the forefront of transforming workplace culture by:
adapting to rapidly changing employee sentiment and market dynamics with agility and flexibility
collaborating closely with partners to align with their strategic objectives and drive everyday behaviours
leading the market in customisation, enabling employers to reinforce their employment brand and recognise desired behaviours
supporting multidirectional recognition across organisations, aligned with employee life cycles and inclusive of diverse experiences
recognising important life moments to create a supportive and inclusive environment for clients
providing instant, timely and impactful rewards, offering a broad range of options that cater to employees’ preferences, particularly during the cost-of-living challenge
“Our clients are incredibly helpful in providing feedback around the challenges and opportunities they’re facing in the market, and this is down to them. The work they do is helping us to evolve the program continuously,” she adds.
One reward and recognition product gaining momentum focuses on helping employees understand what “great” looks like in action.
“This creates an opportunity never to miss a moment to shine a spotlight on the values and behaviours that you want to see repeated,” says Green. “There’s an opportunity for leaders to say, ‘I see you, and I appreciate what you do.’ Creating a digital campfire where people can connect is crucial in the current environment, and we see reward and recognition as a powerful tool for positive cultural change.”
BrightHR
It’s not uncommon for a company to have at least three to five systems in place to manage its day-to-day business and people operations, which can be complicated, time-consuming, and expensive, especially for small businesses.
With BrightHR, multiple systems are rolled into one package for one affordable price for SMEs.
“Being able to stay on top of HR tasks and having everything in one place is the biggest advantage we offer,” says Eckersley. “When I’m speaking with prospective customers, they’re quite amazed they can do so much in one platform, including advertising their business free of charge in our BrightExchange online marketplace.”
Lloyd Connect
Lloyd’s clients’ biggest challenge in the education sector is the struggle with teacher shortages and high turnover. The firm’s team addresses this by creating innovative campaigns to attract and relocate international teachers to Australia, particularly in remote and regional areas.
The firm focuses on sourcing qualified candidates from Italy, Spain, South Africa and the UK, often helping them secure fast-track visas and permanent residency.
“One of my proudest moments of all the roles we’ve handled is relocating families, like a candidate from Fiji with her husband and three daughters to Kalgoorlie and another family from South Africa to Darwin,” she remarks. “It’s the female in the family that is changing the life of their children.”
Reward Gateway
Around three quarters of Australian employees (74%) are staying put due to the cost of living, stating they'll move jobs once the economic climate improves, causing negative ripple effects for productivity, performance and engagement, the company’s recent Engagement Paradox Report shows, along with:
27% of employees say they are less engaged at work now compared to the previous 12 months
87% of business and HR decision makers agree poor employee engagement impacts employee performance, and therefore business performance
52% believe decreased employee engagement costs their business $20-100k each month
82% of business and HR decision makers have seen employee recognition and reward programs create noticeable increases in team morale and performance
Employers are looking for creative solutions, including benefits, recognition and rewards, to help address this low engagement and drive productivity.
“This is a big opportunity for organisations to be on the front foot of this, and innovative organisations are leaning in and seeking additional opportunities to celebrate employees who are driving performance and the next chapter of growth,” Kylie Green asserts.
“Companies investing more in recognising and rewarding employee performance are not only driving short-term benefits but also building loyalty and strengthening their employer brand,” she continues. “This puts them in a strong position to attract and retain great talent when the economy improves, allowing them to bounce back from the current climate much faster than other organisations.”
Human Resources Director’s seventh annual Service Provider Awards recognise the industry’s top performers in 12 key service areas. Vendors operating in these areas were invited to submit nominations during a call for entries conducted in June this year.
The entries included an overview of their business or product, insight into their point of difference in the industry, statistics around market share and growth over the past 12 months, and other relevant information such as industry accolades, client testimonials and the like.
The HRD team reviewed all the submissions, with the top three in each category awarded gold, silver and bronze.
