UKG, a leading global AI platform unifying HR, pay, and workforce management, announced on December 12, 2025, that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Inova Payroll.

This acquisition represents a significant strategic move that will reshape how small and mid-sized businesses access comprehensive human capital management and payroll services. The deal, subject to customary closing conditions and expected to close in early 2026, brings together UKG’s technology platform with Inova’s proven service delivery model.

Understanding the Players

Inova Payroll, based in Nashville, Tennessee, serves more than 4,000 businesses across the United States. The company functions as a human capital management and payroll services provider specifically focused on small and mid-sized businesses. Inova has operated as the largest reseller of the UKG Ready suite nationwide, building deep expertise in deploying and supporting this technology platform for SMB customers.

Inova’s approach centers on enhancing HR operations through their expertise and robust benefits support. The company helps employers manage everyday HR tasks and compliance requirements more effectively, allowing them to better serve their employees. Inova streamlines essential processes and reduces manual effort for its clients.

The company’s growth trajectory and market recognition validate its business model. Inova has been featured on the annual Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in the United States eight times. This accomplishment has been achieved by less than 1% of Inc. 5000 recipients, demonstrating sustained excellence and market demand for Inova’s services. Additionally, the company has captured numerous awards and honors from G2, which publishes reports and rankings on customer satisfaction based directly on end-user feedback and reviews.

The Strategic Rationale

The acquisition will enable UKG to directly provide the SMB market segment with innovative HR support and full benefits services. This represents a significant expansion of UKG’s service capabilities in a market segment that requires both sophisticated technology and hands-on support.

Arlen Shenkman, President, Chief Financial Officer at UKG, explained the strategic thinking behind the acquisition. Inova has been a trusted UKG Ready partner for seven years, helping thousands of small and mid-sized businesses level the playing field against larger competitors. The partnership has focused on unlocking productive, efficient, and flexible workplace experiences, especially for SMBs with frontline teams. The combined organization will have an even greater impact on the SMB market segment, bringing together UKG’s technology and scale with Inova’s deep service expertise to deliver best-in-class frontline employee experiences that drive exceptional customer value.

Joe Schweppe, CEO at Inova Payroll, described the acquisition as an exciting new chapter for his organization. The deal allows Inova to bring its service-driven approach to an expanding community of small and mid-sized businesses seeking a technology platform that simplifies how they schedule, manage, engage, and inspire their employees. Schweppe emphasized that Inova’s commitment to empathy, kindness, superior service, and innovative solutions has never been more achievable. The team and clients will benefit from direct access to enhanced product development, while UKG gains the advantage of Inova’s deep expertise in attracting and supporting small and mid-sized businesses.

Market Context and Significance

The small and mid-sized business market faces unique challenges in human capital management. These organizations often lack the resources and dedicated HR staff that larger enterprises possess, yet they face the same complex compliance requirements and operational demands. For SMBs with frontline teams, the challenges multiply as they must manage scheduling, time tracking, payroll, benefits administration, and employee engagement across dispersed workforces.

Inova has built its business by addressing these challenges. By combining UKG Ready technology with HR expertise and benefits brokerage services, Inova provides SMBs with enterprise-grade capabilities delivered through a service model that matches their needs and resource constraints. The company’s role as the largest UKG Ready reseller nationwide demonstrates both the strength of the technology platform and the market demand for a service-wrapped delivery model.

What This Means for the Market

By acquiring Inova, UKG gains several strategic advantages. First, the company can now directly control the customer experience for a significant segment of its SMB customer base, ensuring consistent service quality and brand representation. Second, UKG gains immediate access to Inova’s expertise in customer acquisition, onboarding, and support for small and mid-sized businesses. Third, the acquisition brings more than 4,000 customer relationships directly under UKG’s umbrella, strengthening its market position and recurring revenue base.

For customers, the acquisition should provide benefits in several areas. Direct access to UKG’s product development roadmap and resources should enable faster innovation and more responsive feature development. The combination of technology and service delivery under one roof should improve coordination and reduce friction in the customer experience.

Analyst Perspective

Michael Rochelle, Chief Strategy Officer and Principal Analyst at Brandon Hall Group, offered this assessment of the acquisition:

“UKG’s acquisition of Inova Payroll demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of what small and mid-sized businesses actually need to succeed with HCM technology. Too many vendors in this space assume that SMBs simply want cheaper, simpler versions of enterprise software. The reality is far more nuanced. These organizations need full-featured platforms that can handle complex scheduling, compliance, and workforce management challenges, but they also need expert guidance and support to implement and optimize these systems. Inova has proven over seven years and across 4,000 customers that this combined technology and service model works. By bringing this capability in-house, UKG’s acquisition of Inova embeds into UKG’s business model a proven go-to-market approach that addresses real market needs. The fact that Inova has appeared on the Inc. 5000 list eight times and consistently earns high customer satisfaction ratings validates that this is not just a good idea but a model that customers value and are willing to pay for. We expect this acquisition to strengthen UKG’s competitive position in the SMB market significantly.”

Looking Ahead

Based on the seven-year partnership history and the strategic alignment between the companies, the prospects for successful integration appear strong. UKG is not acquiring an unfamiliar business but rather bringing a proven partner into the fold. This familiarity should reduce integration risk and accelerate time to value.

For the SMB market, this acquisition signals that UKG continues to take the needs of clients seriously and is willing to invest in service models that maximize how technology can create breakthrough performance impact for their clients. UKG offers an exciting new development for a market segment that has too often been underserved by solution providers.

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Brandon Hall Group, the home of the prestigious HCM Excellence Awards®, today announced the winners of the 2025 Excellence in Action Awards, recognizing organizations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to elevating their people through innovative, high-impact programs across 17 human capital categories.

This year’s Excellence in Action Awards attracted submissions from organizations around the world, representing initiatives across Employee Engagement, Promotion & Succession, Career Development, Employer Branding, Company Culture, Technology Environment, Leadership, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Talent Mobility, Attracting Top Talent, Change Readiness, Hybrid Work, Wellness, Feedback & Recognition, Organizational Teamwork & Collaboration, Innovation & Creativity, and Learning & Development.

Across these categories, winning organizations showcased programs that strengthened culture, improved employee experience, accelerated performance, advanced workforce capabilities, and delivered meaningful, measurable impact.

“The Excellence in Action Awards honor organizations that have made extraordinary commitments to elevating their people. These winning programs demonstrate how thoughtful design, intentional culture-building, and authentic employee engagement can transform the workplace experience. Each honoree represents a powerful example of what it means to put people at the center of business success,” said Rachel Cooke, Brandon Hall Group Chief Operating Officer and leader of the Excellence Awards program.

A People-Centered, Impact-Driven Evaluation Process

The Excellence in Action Awards use a comprehensive methodology grounded in people impact, strategic intent, program design excellence, and authentic employee voice. Each submission undergoes a multilayered evaluation that includes:

• Program Strategy & Intentional Design
• Implementation Quality & Employee Experience
• Measurable Impact & Organizational Outcomes
• Employee Testimonials and Impact Stories
• Organization-Wide Influence & Cultural Contribution
• Sustainability & Scalability

“What sets the Excellence in Action Awards apart is our rigorous, independent evaluation process focused on real organizational impact. Our judges assess each entry based on measurable improvements in employee experience, culture, and performance. The organizations recognized this year have set a new benchmark for empowering their people and driving meaningful, sustainable change,” said Mike Cooke, Brandon Hall Group Chief Executive Officer.

How the Brandon Hall Group Institute Supports These 17 Categories

The Excellence in Action Awards represent more than recognition — they reflect the full spectrum of human capital practices that organizations must master to build thriving, people-centered workplaces. The Brandon Hall Group Institute plays a critical role in advancing these capabilities.

Through research-backed frameworks, capability-building programs, certification pathways, and applied learning experiences, the Institute works with organizations year-round to:

• Strengthen engagement and culture initiatives
• Build more effective leadership and succession systems
• Advance DEI, wellbeing, and employee experience efforts
• Improve talent mobility and career development strategies
• Enhance feedback, recognition, and performance practices
• Prepare organizations for hybrid work, change readiness, and innovation
• Design impactful learning and development ecosystems

Celebrating the 2025 Excellence in Action Honorees

This year’s honorees exemplify what is possible when organizations place people at the center of strategy, culture, and growth. Their achievements reflect the highest standards of innovation, purpose-driven leadership, and measurable human impact. The full list of winners is available at https://excellenceawards.brandonhall.com.

Recognition at the 2026 Excellence Conference & Gala

Award recipients will be celebrated at the Brandon Hall Group Excellence Conference, taking place February 9–12, 2026, in West Palm Beach, Florida. https://excellenceconference.brandonhall.com/ Organizations represented at the Gala will be invited onstage to receive a commemorative Excellence in Action Award. Select winners will also share best practices during breakout sessions.

About Brandon Hall Group

Brandon Hall Group is the home of the HCM Excellence Awards® – the most prestigious and sought-after awards in Human Capital Management. For over 30 years, these awards have set the gold standard in recognizing organizations for innovative and effective HCM practices across Learning and Development, Talent Management, Leadership Development, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Human Resources, Sales Performance, and Technology.

Known as the “Academy Awards of Human Capital Management,” our awards programs attract entrants from leading corporations worldwide, as well as mid-market and smaller firms. With over 150 categories, the awards shine a spotlight on the most innovative and effective organizational achievements and the solution providers who power them.

Our awards process is rigorous and impartial, leveraging an international panel of veteran industry experts and Brandon Hall Group senior analysts. Winners not only gain international recognition but also receive critical insights to help them accelerate their business growth and impact.

The HCM Excellence Awards® program is complemented by our Technology Awards and our new Excellence in Action Awards, ensuring comprehensive recognition across all aspects of Human Capital Management.

At Brandon Hall Group, we don’t just celebrate excellence — we provide a platform for sharing best practices that drive the industry forward. Our awards program is a cornerstone of our mission to empower excellence in organizations around the world and advance the HCM profession as a whole.

Join the ranks of the most innovative and effective organizations in HCM. The Brandon Hall Group HCM Excellence Awards® — where excellence is recognized, celebrated, and shared.

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Delray Beach, Florida — Thursday, December 4, 2025 —

Brandon Hall Group, the home of the prestigious HCM Excellence Awards®, today announced the winners of the 2025 HCM Excellence in Technology and Education Technology Awards, recognizing breakthrough innovations that are redefining the future of Human Capital Management and education outcomes across learning, talent, leadership, HR, DEI, workforce development, and academic performance. This year’s winning submissions showcase advancements in intelligence, AI-driven design, scalability, learner engagement, assessment innovation, and measurable organizational and institutional impact.

Organizations and solution providers from around the world submitted transformative technologies spanning corporate learning, K–12 and higher education, talent marketplaces, skills development platforms, learning experience ecosystems, AI coaching, immersive training, and groundbreaking EdTech that improves how people learn, grow, and perform across both workplace and educational environments.

Brandon Hall Group is also pleased to highlight an exceptional group of top achievers earning recognition across multiple categories: Absorb Software, Century 21 Heritage Group, D2L, EI Powered by MPS, Enthral.ai, EY, GP Strategies, HelpMeSee, The Writing Revolution, Unilever, Vantage Circle, NovoEd, Tata Consultancy Services, MetLife, and NIIT. These organizations and solution providers demonstrated exceptional design, innovation, and measurable impact. The full list of winners is available at https://excellenceawards.brandonhall.com/.

The HCM Excellence in Technology and Education Technology Awards® are regarded as the most rigorous and prestigious recognitions of innovation in Human Capital Management and learning technologies. Each entry undergoes a multilayered evaluation process designed to ensure fairness, consistency, and objective assessment. Submissions are reviewed by an international panel of independent industry experts with deep expertise across learning sciences, instructional design, HR technology, leadership development, educational research, organizational development, and workforce transformation. This diverse group of judges applies broad and disciplined expertise to evaluate each solution’s effectiveness and true contribution to both organizational and educational performance.

Entries are scored using a comprehensive methodology that assesses innovation, fit-the-need, program design and functionality, measurable benefits, and overall organizational or learner impact. Judges evaluate submissions independently to eliminate bias. Following the judging phase, Brandon Hall Group senior analysts and executive leaders conduct a thorough validation review to confirm scoring accuracy, category alignment, and methodological integrity. Award levels are determined solely by total points earned, reinforcing the impartiality, credibility, and global reputation of the awards.

Rachel Cooke, Brandon Hall Group Chief Operating Officer and leader of the Excellence Awards® program, emphasized the power of technological innovation to advance both work and learning, stating that “The Excellence in Technology and Education Technology Awards celebrate the most forward-thinking innovations shaping the future of learning, talent, and human capital management. This year’s winners exemplify how technology can unlock new possibilities — improving performance, enabling smarter decision-making, personalizing learning at scale, and transforming how organizations and institutions support and develop their people.”

Chief Executive Officer Mike Cooke highlighted the strength of the evaluation process and the extraordinary caliber of the recognized solutions, noting that “Our awards are built on a rigorous evaluation framework that measures true innovation, functional excellence, and quantifiable impact. The organizations and solution providers recognized this year reflect the highest standards in the industry, demonstrating how advanced technologies — from AI-powered learning systems to breakthrough EdTech platforms—can accelerate capability, efficiency, and results across both business and education.”

Award recipients will be celebrated at the Brandon Hall Group Excellence Conference, taking place February 9–12, 2026, at the Hilton West Palm Beach in Florida. Select winners will present leading practices during breakout sessions, offering attendees valuable insights into some of the most innovative and effective uses of HCM and EdTech solutions globally.

In addition to receiving recognition through the awards program, select winners will be featured in upcoming Brandon Hall Group research, frameworks, and case studies that showcase leading practices across Human Capital Management and Education Technology. These organizations contribute to the body of knowledge that informs the Brandon Hall Group Institute, which delivers world-class certifications, applied learning experiences, and capability-building programs for HR, learning, and talent leaders worldwide.

About Brandon Hall Group

Brandon Hall Group is the home of the HCM Excellence Awards® — the most prestigious and sought-after awards in Human Capital Management. For over 30 years, these awards have set the gold standard in recognizing organizations for innovative and effective HCM practices across Learning and Development, Talent Management, Leadership Development, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Human Resources, Sales Performance, and Technology.

Known as the “Academy Awards of Human Capital Management,” our awards programs attract entrants from leading corporations worldwide, as well as mid-market and smaller firms. With over 150 categories, the awards shine a spotlight on the most innovative and effective organizational achievements and the solution providers who power them.

Our awards process is rigorous and impartial, leveraging an international panel of veteran industry experts and Brandon Hall Group senior analysts. Winners not only gain international recognition but also receive critical insights to help them accelerate their business growth and impact.

The HCM Excellence Awards® program is complemented by our Technology Awards and our new Excellence in Action Awards, ensuring comprehensive recognition across all aspects of Human Capital Management.

At Brandon Hall Group, we don’t just celebrate excellence — we provide a platform for sharing best practices that drive the industry forward. Our awards program is a cornerstone of our mission to empower excellence in organizations around the world and advance the HCM profession as a whole.

Join the ranks of the most innovative and effective organizations in HCM. The Brandon Hall Group HCM Excellence Awards® — where excellence is recognized, celebrated, and shared.

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If you needed confirmation that AI recruiting tools are about to become the hottest commodity in HR tech, August 2025 delivered it in spades. In three weeks, two enterprise giants announced blockbuster acquisitions that signal the future of talent acquisition.

Workday’s Latest Acquisition

On August 21st, Workday announced a deal to acquire Paradox, the conversational AI platform behind 189 million candidate conversations. With nearly 1,000 clients including Chipotle, 7-Eleven, General Motors, and Nestlé, Paradox gives Workday instant growth potential in the massive frontline worker talent acquisition market.

SAP’s Earlier Move with SmartRecruiters

Three weeks prior, SAP grabbed SmartRecruiters (another heavy hitter in the AI-powered TA space) with its 4,000+ customers including Amazon, Visa, and McDonald’s. The timing isn’t coincidental; it’s a declaration of war for who can build/buy the biggest baddest, end-to-end HR/talent technology suite AI-powered talent acquisition stack.

Why AI Recruiting Is Having Its Moment

The strategic logic behind this is clear: AI (done right that is) can excel at automating the repetitive, high-touch activities at the top of the hiring funnel. Responding to candidates, scheduling interviews, initial screening (i.e., exactly what burns out recruiters in high-volume scenarios). Changing the game there (especially for high volume/frontline hiring where both SmartRecruiters and Paradox have deep penetration), means saving untold millions of dollars in lost revenue, recruiting costs, new hire attrition, onboarding, burnout, and much more.

But there’s a deeper play: data network effects. Every recruiting interaction has the potential to improve AI performance, attracting more candidates, and improving quality of hire. This flywheel effect can create competitive moats that compound over time and can’t be easily replicated.

The Competitive Fallout

These moves send shockwaves through the HR tech ecosystem:

Traditional ATS providers like iCIMS are investing heavily in AI capabilities to compete with platforms that now offer comprehensive conversational experiences alongside traditional tracking functionality.

AI-first platforms like Eightfold AI suddenly compete against well-funded enterprise platforms with massive customer bases and integrated HCM suites rather than point solutions.

Specialized recruiting tools must innovate faster than platform integration or find their own acquisition partners.

The integration vs. innovation tension is real—acquisitions often slow innovation while companies focus on integration, creating windows for agile competitors (although SAP has been vocal about a “let them cook” approach to the SmartRecruiters acquisition).

What HR Leaders Should Expect

Platform consolidation is accelerating. Candidate expectations are rising—AI-powered conversations are becoming table stakes. Regulatory complexity around AI bias and privacy is increasing, potentially favoring larger platforms with compliance resources.

Most importantly, recruiting teams need new skills around AI management and strategic relationship building as administrative tasks get automated.

The Road Ahead

We’re likely seeing the start of a broader consolidation wave. The winners will balance platform integration with continued innovation. The losers will wait too long to adapt to the reality that AI is quickly becoming the foundation of high-impact, hyper efficient recruiting.

The AI in recruiting arms race is on. Two major players just made their moves. Who’s next?

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Brandon Hall Group

Strategic Research and Analyst Insights

Our expert analysts delivered in-depth research and perspectives on critical areas:

• Employee Well-being and Experience: We emphasized the importance of employee well-being with resources such as How to Promote Mental Health and Well-Being in Banking/Financial Services, Promoting Mental Health and Well-Being in the Retail Industry and Crafting an Exceptional Employee Experience in Manufacturing. Additionally, we explored key strategies for attracting and retaining talent through Crafting a Compelling EVP and Employee Brand.
• Strategic Frameworks for Retention and Engagement: We provided sector-specific guidance with A Strategic Framework for Employee Retention and Engagement in Healthcare and A Strategic Framework for Employee Retention and Engagement in the Energy Industry.
• Leadership Development: Recognizing the importance of strong leadership, we analyzed The Impact of Developing High-Potential Leaders in International Companies and offered insights on Mentoring That Matters: Strategic Solutions for Today’s Top Workforce Challenges.
• Technology and Innovation in HCM: We kept our members informed on the latest technological advancements with Visier’s Roadmap for Fully Integrated Workforce Intelligence and analyst perspectives on platforms like Centrical’s AI Performance Experience Platform. We also highlighted the importance of employee-centric HR service delivery with Applaud HR: Putting Employees at the Center of HR Service Delivery and explored the emerging area of financial well-being with SupportPay: Creating the Family Financial Well-being Category.

Technology Reviews: Showcasing Innovation

We provided in-depth tech reviews, showcasing a range of innovative solutions from our Brandon Hall Group Excellence in Technology award winners:

• AI-Powered Learning and Development: Several reviews highlighted the impact of AI, including Brainier Delivers AI-Powered Video Coaching, HowToo Slashes Training Development Time with AI-Driven Learning Platform and Disprz’s Generative AI Platform Achieves 8% KPI Improvement for Global Workforce.
• Enhanced Training and Engagement: We covered solutions like simpleshow and Kellanova Elevate Brand Training with Interactive eLearning Tech and Digit’Ed’s OpenLearning Brings Netflix-Style Experience to Corporate Training.
• Efficiency and Impact: Other tech reviews focused on solutions that drive efficiency and improve outcomes, such as HealthStream Cuts Clinical Rotation Onboarding Time by 65%, How TD Bank Saved $1.92M Through AI Simulation Training and Career Clarity: How EPAM Reduced Talent Departure by 71%.

Your Partner in HCM Excellence

This snapshot reflects Brandon Hall Group’s ongoing dedication to providing valuable resources and expertise to our members. We empower organizations to navigate the complexities of HCM and achieve sustainable success.

Contact us today to explore how a Brandon Hall Group membership can support your organization’s growth.

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Brandon Hall Group,

Research and Insights to Fuel Your Strategy

Our expert analysts delivered in-depth research across key areas:

• The Impact of AI: We continue to be at the forefront of exploring AI’s transformative power in HCM. Assets like “Agilexe: Transforming Training Analysis with AI“, “Ethical AI and Data Governance for Learning Organizations“, and videos from our 2025 HCM Excellence Conference® such as “AI’s Evolution & Impact on Human Capital” and “AI and Talent Development: Transforming Learning at Scale” provide critical guidance.
• Leadership Development: A core focus remains on developing effective leaders. Several assets focus on aligning leadership development with business strategy across various sectors, including retail, banking & financial services, healthcare, and energy. We also explored “Resilience in Leadership Development” and “Future-Ready Leaders for Multi-Generational Workforces.”
• Employee Experience and Engagement: Creating a positive employee experience is paramount. We offered insights on “Our Top Tips for Next-Level HR Leadership,” “Building the Foundation: A Strategic Framework for Employee Retention and Engagement in Manufacturing,” “Fostering Employee Experience Excellence in the Technology Industry” and “Promoting “Mental Health and Well-Being in the Technology Sector.”
• Strategic Alignment: Bridging the gap between learning operations and business impact is crucial, as highlighted in “Strategic Misalignment in L&D: Bridging the Gap Between Learning Operations and Business Impact.”

Videos from Our 2025 HCM Excellence Conference®

Our members also gained access to a rich collection of videos from our HCM Excellence Conference®. These videos feature thought leaders and experts discussing cutting-edge topics:

• AI’s evolution and impact on human capital.
• The evolving role of Chief Learning Officers.
• Leadership during crisis.
• The strategic role of HR in the age of AI and automation.

Technology Insights and Solution Provider Profiles

Staying ahead of the technology curve is essential. We provide in-depth tech reviews and solution provider profiles, such as:

• Analysts’ briefings and profiles with Agilexe and Centrical; and
• A host of Technology Reviews on Brandon Hall Group Technology Award-winning tools.

Your Partner in HCM Excellence

This is just a glimpse of the valuable resources Brandon Hall Group provides. Our commitment to delivering data-driven research and actionable insights empowers organizations to achieve HCM excellence.

Contact us today to learn more about how a Brandon Hall Group membership can benefit your organization.

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Boca Raton, FL – January 2, 2025 — Brandon Hall Group, the leading independent research and analyst firm focused on Human Capital Management, has officially opened its 2025 HCM Excellence Awards® program. Organizations can now submit entries through April 11, 2025.

Now in its 32^nd year, the Brandon Hall Group Excellence Awards®, often referred to as the “Academy Awards” of Human Capital Management, recognize the best organizations worldwide that have successfully deployed programs, strategies, modalities, processes, systems and tools that have achieved measurable results.

The 2025 program features award opportunities across several critical areas:

• Learning and Development
• Talent Management
• Talent Acquisition
• Leadership Development
• Human Resources
• Sales Performance
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• Future of Work

“The Excellence Awards recognize organizations that are leading the way in innovation and driving significant business results through their human capital management initiatives,” said Rachel Cooke, Brandon Hall Group’s Chief Operating Officer and leader of the Excellence Awards Program. “We’re excited to see this year’s submissions showcasing how organizations are transforming their workplaces and driving performance through their people.”

Organizations can submit entries at https://excellenceawards.brandonhall.com/ where they can also view the full list of award categories and access past winners for inspiration. The site provides comprehensive details about the application process, category descriptions, and judging criteria.

Additionally, Brandon Hall Group will celebrate the 2024 Excellence Awards winners at its annual Awards Gala taking place January 29 at the Hilton West Palm Beach.

The program attracts applications from organizations around the world, including small, medium, large and global enterprises, as well as government, not-for-profits and associations. Entries are evaluated by an international panel of independent industry experts and Brandon Hall Group analysts and executives.

For more information about the Excellence Awards program, visit https://excellenceawards.brandonhall.com/ or contact awards@brandonhall.com.

About Brandon Hall Group

Brandon Hall Group is the home of the HCM Excellence Awards® — the most prestigious and sought-after awards in Human Capital Management. For over 30 years, these awards have set the gold standard in recognizing organizations for innovative HCM practices across Learning and Development, Talent Management, Leadership Development, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Human Resources, Sales Performance and Technology.

Known as the “Academy Awards of Human Capital Management,” our awards programs attract entrants from leading corporations worldwide. Winners are selected through a rigorous evaluation process by an international panel of veteran industry experts and Brandon Hall Group senior analysts.

The HCM Excellence Awards® program, along with our Technology Excellence Awards and Excellence in Action Awards, provides comprehensive recognition across all aspects of Human Capital Management while sharing best practices that drive the industry forward.

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BOCA RATON, FL — Brandon Hall Group, the leading independent HCM research and analyst firm, has announced the winners of the 2024 Excellence in Technology Awards, recognizing organizations that have successfully deployed programs, strategies, modalities, processes, systems, and tools that have achieved measurable results.

The Excellence in Technology Awards recognize the most innovative and impactful applications of technology in learning and development, talent management, talent acquisition, HR, workforce management, and sales enablement. A complete list of this year’s winners, along with past recipients, can be found at excellenceawards.brandonhall.com/winners/.

“The Excellence in Technology Awards continues to showcase the pinnacle of innovation in the HCM space,” said Rachel Cooke, Chief Operating Officer of Brandon Hall Group. “The submissions we received this year represent groundbreaking solutions across learning, talent management, talent acquisition, HR, workforce management, and sales enablement technologies. The global diversity of our applicants reflects how technology is breaking down barriers and reshaping the future of work.”

The award entries were evaluated by a panel of veteran industry experts and Brandon Hall Group’s senior analysts. Winners were selected based on their ability to demonstrate innovative solutions to critical business challenges, measurable results, unique differentiators, and clear technological advancement.

“What sets our awards program apart is our unwavering commitment to a rigorous, multi-tiered evaluation process,” said Mike Cooke, CEO of Brandon Hall Group. “Each submission undergoes detailed assessment by industry veterans and our expert analyst team, followed by a thorough executive review. This methodical approach, combined with our points-based scoring system, ensures that every award truly reflects excellence in innovation and measurable business impact.”

Organizations earning five or more awards this year include NIIT, MetLife, Inc., Accenture Solutions, NovoEd, Tenneo, Capgemini, Tata Consultancy Services, Docebo, Litmos, Absorb Software Inc., Phenom, TD, TenneT, Adobe, EI Powered by MPS, Infopro Learning, Roundtable Learning, and Zenarate. This remarkable achievement demonstrates these organizations’ comprehensive excellence and sustained commitment to technological innovation across multiple areas of human capital management.

The winners will be honored at Brandon Hall Group’s HCM Excellence Conference 2025, taking place January 28-30, 2025, in West Palm Beach, Florida. At the conference, winners will have the opportunity to share their leading practices during special sessions. For more information about the conference and to register, visit excellenceconference.brandonhall.com.

About Brandon Hall Group

Brandon Hall Group is the home of the most prestigious and sought-after awards in Human Capital Management. For over 30 years, our awards programs have set the gold standard in recognizing organizations for innovative and effective HCM practices. The Excellence in Technology Awards are part of a comprehensive recognition program that includes our flagship HCM Excellence Awards® — known as the “Academy Awards of Human Capital Management” — and our new Voice of the Employee Awards.

Our awards programs attract entrants from leading corporations worldwide, as well as mid-market and smaller firms, with over 150 categories spotlighting the most innovative organizational achievements and the solution providers who power them. The rigorous and impartial evaluation process leverages an international panel of veteran industry experts and Brandon Hall Group senior analysts, providing winners with both international recognition and critical insights to accelerate their business growth and impact.

At Brandon Hall Group, we don’t just celebrate excellence — we provide a platform for sharing best practices that drive the industry forward, empowering excellence in organizations around the world and advancing the HCM profession as a whole.

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As the CEO of Brandon Hall Group, a company focused on excellence in Human Capital Management (HCM), I often encounter outstanding service. However, a recent experience at the Four Seasons Hotel in Nashville truly exceeded my expectations.

Over the weekend, my son accidentally left his shoes in a taxi after a rushed departure from the hotel. While this might seem trivial, it could have easily become a major headache.

To my surprise and delight, the Four Seasons staff took immediate action. They diligently reviewed security footage, pinpointed the taxi company and promptly contacted them. The driver was then able to return the shoes to the hotel. But they didn’t stop there — the hotel kindly mailed the shoes back to us at no cost.

This exceptional level of service demonstrates the Four Seasons’ unwavering commitment to guest satisfaction. It’s a perfect example of how a seemingly small gesture can make a significant impact. This incident highlights the importance of exceeding expectations, anticipating guest needs, and resolving issues with efficiency and care.

At Brandon Hall Group, we strive to set the standard for excellence in HCM. We believe organizations should prioritize the well-being and development of their employees. By fostering a positive and supportive work environment, companies can attract and retain top talent, drive innovation, and achieve sustainable growth.

The Four Seasons has shown us that excellence is not just a goal, but a mindset. By embodying this principle in every interaction, they have earned our respect and admiration. We applaud their dedication to delivering exceptional service and look forward to many more positive experiences in the future.

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Brandon Hall Group

The 2024 Brandon Hall Group HCM Excellence Awards® recognizes best practices for initiatives in Learning and Development, Talent Management, Leadership Development, Talent Acquisition, Human Resources, Sales Performance, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and the Future of Work.

Insight Experience is the proud recipient of the following awards in collaboration with our valued clients and, in one instance, a partner organization:

• A 2024 Silver Award for Best Leadership Development Program in the category of Leadership Development, in partnership with ZOLL Medical.
• A 2024 Silver Award for Best Use of Games or Simulations for Learning in the category of Learning and Development, in partnership with the UniFirst Corporation.
• A 2024 Bronze Award for Best Senior Manager Development Program in the category of Leadership Development, in partnership with Amazon.
• A 2024 Bronze Award for Best Leadership Development Program in the category of Leadership Development, in partnership with BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina and Zenger Folkman.

The Leading for Impact program, which we developed in partnership with ZOLL Medical, won a Silver award for Best Leadership Development Program. This innovative blended learning experience is designed for leaders at the Director level and above, focusing on strategic mindset and leadership skills through a three-day, in-person business simulation complemented by virtual sessions. The program enhances leadership capabilities in communication, change management, delegation, and coaching, fostering cross-functional collaboration and strategic thinking. With high adoption and positive feedback from participants, the program has effectively strengthened leadership practices and aligned with ZOLL’s organizational objectives.

Created in collaboration with UniFirst Corporation, the Bringing Leadership Principles to Life program won a Silver award for Best Use of Games or Simulations for Learning. This innovative, four-hour simulation immerses senior leaders in realistic business scenarios, helping them operationalize UniFirst’s leadership principles by navigating complex decision-making processes. Through these scenarios, participants learn to balance short-term and long-term goals, enhance strategic agility, and cultivate an enterprise mindset. The program’s success is evident in its widespread acceptance and significant impact on leadership practices within UniFirst.

The Leadership Acceleration Program (LeAP), developed in partnership with Amazon, won a Bronze award for Best Senior Manager Development Program. Designed for high-potential senior managers, LeAP equips participants with the skills needed to transition from leading single-function teams to managing multi-functional, multi-layered teams. The program combines curated Amazon-specific content, executive leadership insights, a custom-developed business simulation, and role-play interactions to foster strategic thinking and leadership. Since its inception, LeAP has effectively prepared more than 850 Amazon leaders for broader roles, demonstrating its significant impact through high retention and promotion rates among its alumni.

The Extraordinary Matrix Leadership Program (EMLP), developed in collaboration with BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina and Zenger Folkman, won a Bronze award for Best Leadership Development Program. This 16-month advanced curriculum is designed for high-potential informal leaders within the Information Systems (I/S) Division, focusing on leadership skills vital for navigating a matrix-structured organization. Through a combination of workshops, multi-rater feedback assessments, and a business simulation, the program equips participants with the tools needed to enhance their leadership effectiveness, strategic thinking, and influence within the organization. EMLP has significantly contributed to developing strong informal leaders and has shown measurable success in retention and leadership progression.

Says Karen Maxwell Powell, President of Insight Experience:

“We develop close relationships with our clients so we can deeply understand their businesses, leadership challenges, and goals. We are proud to submit our work, in partnership with our clients, to the Brandon Hall Group. These awards are recognition of our passion and success in creating meaningful learning experiences that show true connections between leadership and results. We are equally proud to share this recognition with our clients, who are making an impact in their organizations every day.”

“Excellence Award recipients have consistently demonstrated their commitment to employee growth and well-being through innovative human capital strategies,” said Brandon Hall Group Chief Operating Officer Rachel Cooke, HCM Excellence Awards® program leader. “These organizations have implemented HCM programs that drive outstanding business results and create a positive and empowering work environment. Our rigorous evaluation process has confirmed these programs as industry-leading in their effectiveness and impact on employee satisfaction.”

Entries were evaluated by a panel of veteran, independent senior industry experts, Brandon Hall Group analysts, and executives based on these criteria:

• Alignment to their business need and environment.
• Program design, functionality and delivery.
• Adoption, integration, user experience, innovation and creativity.
• Overall effectiveness, impact, and measurable benefits.

Excellence Award winners will continue to be honored at Brandon Hall Group’s HCM Excellence Conference, January 28-30, 2025, at the Hilton West Palm Beach, Florida. Select winners will also serve as presenters in breakout sessions, sharing their leading practices during the conference.

“Our award recipients demonstrate an unwavering commitment to excellence in human capital management,” said Brandon Hall Group Chief Executive Officer Mike Cooke. “This year, we’ve witnessed some of the most groundbreaking applications of HCM strategies in our organization’s history. Many of these innovations leverage cutting-edge technologies and foster unprecedented levels of cross-functional collaboration, resulting in remarkable improvements in operational efficiency and employee engagement.”

View the complete list of winners here.

More About Insight Experience

Insight Experience is a global leadership development company that works with Fortune 1000 companies committed to talent development. With more than 20 years in the design, development, and delivery of business simulations, our principals have pioneered the integration of strategic, financial, operational, and people leadership decisions in high-impact learning experiences. All Insight Experience programs highlight both the analytical and the interpersonal, empathetic dimensions of leadership and help leaders see the direct connection between their leadership decisions and their business outcomes.

We empower leaders to inspire teams and deliver results, and we connect leadership to business
results. In order to support leaders in their evolving needs, we kicked off 2024 with a burst of innovation that includes new products and the delivery of organizational insights through data analytics for learning sponsors and executives.

To learn more about our offerings, contact us!

About Brandon Hall Group

Brandon Hall Group is the only professional development company that offers data, research, insights and certification to Learning and Talent executives and organizations. The best minds in Human Capital Management (HCM) choose Brandon Hall Group to help them create future-proof employee development plans for the new era.

For more than 30 years, they have empowered, recognized and certified excellence in organizations worldwide, influencing the development of over 10 million employees and executives. The HCM Excellence Awards® program was the first to recognize organizations for learning and talent and is the gold standard, known as the “Academy Awards of Human Capital Management.”

The awards recognize the best organizations that have successfully developed and deployed programs, strategies, modalities, processes, systems and tools that have achieved measurable results. Brandon Hall Group is honored to receive applications from organizations worldwide ranging from small, medium, large and global enterprises to government, not-for-profits and associations.

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