What a month we’ve had – and I’m not talking about the winter holidays ⛷️ but all the news that’s surely draining our energy: Generative AI and new versions, school shootings, Ukraine, Deepseek, Gaza, Trump, superhumans, Musk. My head feels a bit like 🤯🤯.
That’s why it might be nice to catch up on some industry news about HR, innovation, and tech – and my thoughts on the CHRO vs. CPO question.
Before you start reading, feel free to take our survey on salaries in HR Tech. Deadline: March 9.
Contribute to transparency and knowledge about salary levels for HR Tech professionals by participating in HR Digi’s anonymous salary survey. It is now possible to respond even if you are a consultant or provider, but the focus is primarily on those working within a company or organization as an HR Tech manager, employee, or leader.
You can find the survey here!
Would you rather receive this newsletter directly in your email (not via LinkedIn)? 🇸🇪 Register here: Nyhetsbrev 🇬🇧 Register for the English version: Newsletter
The HR role has changed dramatically in recent years. Digitalization, AI, new ways of working, and shifting expectations from both management and employees mean that HR today has an enormous amount to prioritize and implement.
How can we manage everything, and what should we prioritize? Should we continue with the structures, working methods, and responsibilities we have today, or should we rethink everything?
Is it time to separate two roles within HR: Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and Chief People Officer (CPO)? The CHRO is responsible for the more traditional HR tasks – labor law, leadership, compliance, negotiations, and structural capital. The CPO, on the other hand, drives change, innovation, and focuses on the employee experience. Just as IT has both a CIO and a Chief Digital Officer (CDO), perhaps HR needs a structure where both stability and transformation have their space.
We already see today how HR professionals balance everything from work environment and salary reviews to AI-driven career development and behavioral change. Josh Bersin has identified 94 skill areas within HR in his Global HR Capability Model, clearly showing the profession’s vast scope.
We often talk about HR needing more digital competence, but the truth is that we need more than that – we need a clear division of roles. The CHRO must continue to ensure that the organization operates according to laws and regulations, while the CPO drives strategic change and focuses on employee experience. And employee experience is an area where we need to improve significantly. According to one of Fosway Group’s latest studies, more than half of HR leaders believe their organization offers a mediocre or poor employee experience.
If we do not take this seriously, we risk HR becoming an administrative function rather than a driving force for engagement and growth.
HR cannot do everything, but we can do it right. By clearly dividing responsibilities in larger organizations between CHRO and CPO, we can create an HR function that both maintains stability and drives innovation. What do you think? Is my reasoning correct? And which role would suit you?
The year has started strong with three well-received podcast episodes covering different themes:
As usual, here are links to various articles and news in the industry:
You can find the report here!
New Report on Remote Work from TCO
TCO’s latest report highlights significant opportunities to save time (and benefit the environment) by taking advantage of remote work options. Employees can save up to five weeks of commuting time per year. Watch the segment on TV4 and find the report in the post here!
“Soon Everyone Will Have to Speak English at Work”
It’s interesting that we simultaneously face both a severe skills shortage and unemployment. Chefstidningen covered this in February. Business developer Hanna Dermes Gibson states that the skills situation is critical. “The expertise we need does not exist in Sweden, and soon Swedish employers will have to hire international candidates,” says Nima Astanehdost, CEO of Randstad.
Fabella – A New Swedish Solution in EdTech
Finally, I want to highlight an exciting new Swedish tech company, Wanderword, where I recently met Johan Strömberg. Fabella is a user-friendly platform that allows users to create applications and games without programming knowledge. It features no-code development, advanced voice technology, and AI integration. With Fabella, you can create engaging and interactive audio guides, training modules, e-learning, games, and more across most platforms without needing an app.
In recent weeks, I have had the opportunity to share my thoughts in both HR Svepet and HR People. Moving forward, I will continue to share inspiration and opinions at various events.
HR People: Have we become too comfortable, relying on old merits, or are there other factors at play? In my latest article for HR People, the magazine of the HR Association, I dive deeper into these questions and also reflect on how we can improve our digital maturity in HR. Link to the article is here!
HR Nytt: I was also interviewed by HRnytt regarding my support for HR Tech Europe. In this interview, I discuss topics such as AI and HR, my passion for HR, tech, and innovation, and the role HR should take in the future. Link to the article is here!
🌟 Want a one-hour crash course with me on the topic of the Future of HR and Digitalization? 🌟
📅 Webinar, March 13, 2024, at 09:00: HR 2030: Digitalization in Focus – From Idea to Success at Eduhouse AB. Find the webinar here!
🥗 Wednesday Lunch with Me in Stockholm on March 19 – Sign up on my LinkedIn page.
🌍 HR Tech Europe in Amsterdam, March 4-5 – More info on their site.
🎤 "The Employee Behind the Data" – April 3, Stockholm & Online: It's time for House for People's event at Skandia Theatre, Stockholm + digital access. I have the honor of being the moderator and guiding you through a morning full of inspiring speakers and HR insights! Excited to share the stage with Johannes Sundlo again 👏🏻 Find the event link here!
What’s on your agenda? Are you exhibiting, participating, or simply looking to develop yourself? You can find everything you need in the list below.
🎤 I attended "Personal & Chef" in February. Here’s a link to my reflections!
📅 March 13, 2025 – Webinar – HR 2030: Digitalization in Focus – From Idea to Success Find out more here!
📅 March 25 - April 8, 2025 – Digital – HR Loves 💜 Tech & AI Find out more here!
📅 April 3, 2025 – Stockholm + Digital – The Employee Behind the Data Find out more here!
📅 September 10, 2025 – Malmö – Nordic Edtech Summit 🇬🇧 🇸🇪 Find out more here!
📅 September 17-18, 2025 – Stockholm – Learning Conference 🇸🇪 🇬🇧 Find out more here!
📅 October 14-15, 2025 – Stockholm – The Future of HR: AI, Data, and the Opportunities of Digitalization Find out more here!
📅 October 2025 – Stockholm – HR Days
📅 November – Stockholm – HR System Day
📅 March 4-5 – Amsterdam – HR Tech Europe Now it's finally happening! See you there? https://www.hrtechnologyeurope.com/
💬 My agenda at HR Tech Europe:
📅 April 23-24 – London – HR Tech & Learning Technologies UK
Apparently a must-attend event according to an industry colleague. Two events in one – two different links:
https://www.hrtechnologies.co.uk/ & https://www.learningtechnologies.co.uk/
📅 September 16-18 – Las Vegas – HR Tech Global
THE event of the year – always! https://www.hrtechnologyconference.com/
📅 October 21-22 – Paris – Unleash World
https://www.unleash.ai/unleashworld/passes-unleash-world-2025/
The goal of this newsletter is to cover news in the HR Tech market and the field of digitalization and innovation for leadership and HR. Additionally, I provide updates on new episodes of the HR Digitalization Podcast.
My name is Anna Carlsson, and I am a curious HR Tech analyst with over 20 years of experience at the intersection of business, people, and technology. I believe that technology is not just a side activity in HR; digitalization is fundamental to creating a more human-centered workplace. My passion is to lead the movement toward the future of HR by co-creating with clients and colleagues while educating and developing organizations and individuals.
I run HR Digi, which includes the HR Digitalization Podcast, where I also serve as the host. Through HR Digi, we offer advisory services, consulting support, training, and inspiration to help build modern digital organizations.
I am also recognized as one of the Top 100 HR Tech Influencers for 2024.
☕ Book a virtual coffee with me to discuss how I can support your work.
.png)
.png)
