Their transformative digital learning solutions are making waves in the US in particular, where chief human resource officers (CHROs) of growing businesses welcome the global-first approach of Irish EdTech companies. They also value the in-built compliance provided by Irish suppliers, who are fully in line with stringent European Union regulations.
Efficient, adaptable, scalable and flexible solutions are in huge demand in the corporate world, where online learning and simulations improve engagement, personalise learning and boost outcomes.
Businesses are also keen to make the most of data analytics, including in identifying skills gaps, monitoring learning progress and showing the return on investment (ROI) on training.
To succeed in the competitive US EdTech market, it’s vital for Irish firms planning to enter or scale in the market to understand the real-world needs of CHROs.
That’s why Enterprise Ireland runs a quarterly HR Tech Advisory Panel, during which an ambitious Irish business gets to put some specific questions to eight senior executives from global multinationals and internationally successful Irish businesses.
Among the companies that have already benefitted from the panel’s wisdom are: LearnUpon, which offers a powerful LMS [learning management system]; TALY, a unified marketplace for companies to order office essentials; and Wrksense, which has developed AI-powered recruitment services.
In December, it was PulseLearning’s turn to gain expert advice from the panel. Founded in Kerry in 1999 and already counting NASA and Pfizer among its clients, PulseLearning offers a full suite of customisable enterprise learning solutions.
Keen to scale its US business – it already has its global HQ in New York – it asked the panel members where in the US they see HR and business leaders investing in first to absorb AI-driven disruption in talent, learning, and workforce planning.
This question is acutely relevant at present for CHROs, who are facing pressure to buy, launch and embed AI in their companies’ people processes. This is uniquely challenging, however, as AI won’t result in ROI unless it leads to behavioural change in the company.
While CHROs are increasingly aware of the risks associated with AI, there aren’t yet many real-life playbooks on how to best implement it, which presents an opportunity for firms such as PulseLearning to educate the market as they seek to scale in it.
The PulseLearning team also gained substantial advice on messaging from the panel, having asked the experts what they saw as the strategic positioning that would most resonate with US CHROs. This audience is under pressure to adopt AI, but still accountable for risk, compliance and workforce impact.
That impact varies from industry to industry, For example, harm reduction resulting from bespoke, on-site training at factories is seen as higher impact than small gains in productivity for desk-based workers.
To gain more insights in the US market or to find out how to consult the HR Tech Advisory Panel, Enterprise Ireland client companies can consult their client advisers.
Ana Rodriguez is senior VP with Enterprise Ireland in the US and its industry lead for HR tech