Category: Blog
The HR Tech Reckoning: What to Reevaluate, Repurpose, or Retire in 2025
During the pandemic, HR and TA leaders were given unprecedented budgets to support remote hiring, DEI initiatives, and workforce agility. For many companies, HR tech
Methodical Innovation: How isolved’s Focused Strategy and AI Integration is Redefining the HCM Landscape
The HCM technology landscape is evolving rapidly, with companies racing to integrate AI, enhance user experiences, and expand their service offerings. Against this backdrop, isolved
HireEZ’s Agentic AI: Empowering Recruiters with Humanity and Innovation
Last month, HireEZ marked a major milestone in its ten-year journey by announcing the launch of its newest innovation: the EZ Agent, powered by Agentic
Key Themes from IAMPhenom: Agentic AI, Customer Focus, and Industry Shifts
This year’s IAMPHENOM conference in Philadelphia felt much larger than in past years- not just in attendees but in content and product announcements as well.
Workday: From System of Record to System of Agents
Workday is expanding its AI-powered agent offerings, into a platform called Workday Agent System of Record. Last year, Workday announced four agents: Recruiting Agents, Talent
Paradox Acquires Eqtble: Advancing AI and People Analytics in HR Tech
Today, Paradox announced the acquisition of Eqtble, a people analytics provider. With this move, Paradox is proving that it is far more than just a
Breaking Through the Noise: How HR Tech Vendors Can Build Better Partnerships in 2025
It has been an interesting year in HRTech. At Aptitude, we do a lot of research and speaking but we spend a lot of time
Chipotle: A Lesson in TA Transformation and Change Management
Chipotle’s recent adoption of Paradox’s AI-powered hiring platform is more than an HRTech investment—it’s a strategic shift in how the quick-service restaurant (QSR) sector approaches
Conference Season Recap: AI, Transformation, and Back to Basics
As we close out conference season, several key themes emerged around the HR technology landscape—mostly the growing influence of AI. Companies and vendors are struggling
The Impact of Interview Intelligence
One of the most popular topics at this year’s HR Tech Conference was Interview Intelligence. It came up during the Pitchfest, the TA Tech Expert
Madeline Laurano
Madeline Laurano is the founder and chief analyst of Aptitude Research. For over 18 years, Madeline’s primary focus has been on the HCM market, specializing in talent acquisition and employee experience. Her work helps companies both validate and re-evaluate their strategies and understand the role technology can play in driving business outcomes. She has watched HCM transform from a back-office function to a strategic company initiative with a focus on partnerships, experience and efficiency.
Before founding Aptitude Research, Madeline held research roles at Aberdeen, Bersin by Deloitte, ERE Media and Brandon Hall Group. She is the co-author of Best Practices in Leading a Global Workforce and is often quoted in leading business publications including The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, Yahoo News, The New York Times and The Financial Times. She is a frequent presenter at industry conferences including the HR Technology Conference and Exposition, SHRM, IHRIM, HCI’s Strategic Talent Acquisition conference, Unleash, GDS International’s HCM Summit, and HRO Today.
In her spare time, she is a runner, an avid sports fan and juggles a house full of boys (where a spontaneous indoor hockey game is not unheard of!).
