Regularly in life comes the time when we are confronted with our past sins – or in this case predictions…Let’s recap my 2023 predictions and see where I netted out before going into 2024 and new predictions…
Recap on 2023 predictions
So, what did I predict for last year?
- Employee Experience continues to be a key topic
I believe that on this one, I can declare victory. Employee Experience is still one of the important topics even in 2024 (maybe will be part of my predictions for 2024?) but for sure in 2023. We continued to see efforts from Tech and other players to improve the experience of our employees in the workplace.
I predicted a continued labor shortage and that held true despite massive layoffs in the Tech world – unemployment rates are still at record lows and finding the right talent has been more difficult than ever before. This made EX a continued hot topic.
First win.
- But there is a twist in how to look at EX
On this one I am a bit unsure. I had predicted that investments in EX will be more focused, more targeted on RoI. I haven’t seen this happening really. The EX market has continued to be bullish. Maybe 2024 will see a change in this trend, but as long as the economy is so strong I don’t see a reason for companies to be more deliberate and RoI focused.
Probably have to call this a fail.
- EX Tech will be more and more like consumer tech – the bad way
I think this one provides another win. Maybe because of AI, but definitely happening. This year saw many many vapourware announcements – even the big companies like Microsoft, ServiceNow, or SAP did first announce and then tried to figure out how they could make happen what they announced – and still not everything has been delivered and many things have been delivered different than originally announced. I believe this will continue in 2024 as the run on AI will last.
- Reality will kick in: Buy what you see, not what is promised
I guess on this one I have failed. AI has made many of us curious and I think we can plea guilty to have bought or at least tested some new AI powered solutions. AI has also given a free ticket to corporate Tech companies to promise us more and more (see above) and we fell for it. But AI is no longer shiny and new, so will 2024 finally bring the kick to “buy what you see”? Maybe, maybe not. I will for sure have my view in my 2024 predictions.
- AI will finally provide a compelling case
Ok, despite many test & learn applications as well as overselling, AI has made a significant difference and provided compelling cases for HR (and wider). Are we fully there yet? – for sure not, but AI has delivered strong in 2023 and will deliver even stronger in 2024. This is a win.
- It will be another year of failed Metaverse and Crypto promises
Last year I wrote “If you haven’t yet invested in the Metaverse or the Blockchain in EX or HR – don’t do it in 2023.” – I hope you did that. These two were the biggest vapourware in the last two years as they never found any compelling business application – and so, in 2023 no one has spoken about it anymore outside gaming – and no one will talk about those two in the coming two years. I can count this one as a win.
Bringing it to conclusion
So, overall I wasn’t too far out with my predictions. Out of 6 predictions, I have 4 wins and 2 fails. Not too bad and a good foundation for 2024. But as I had already shared, for 2024 I have asked for strong support and have invited senior HR and Tech leaders and peers to help predict what 2024 will be about. Stay tuned, the first full video will drop at the end of this week, and I will post a short appetiser on Tuesday.
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