3 strategies to make the most of HR Tech demos

Among the many extra underrated options of the HR Know-how Convention & Expo are the scheduled vendor demonstration classes which might be held in devoted rooms on the expo ground (simply search the agenda for the “vendor demos” observe). I say underrated solely as a result of, within the pre-conference prep, the demos don’t get mentioned as a lot different points of the convention, however these classes—22 in all, from a large assortment of resolution suppliers—is usually a useful part of your convention expertise.

You may actually go to any of those suppliers’ cubicles within the expo and get a much less formal, ad-hoc demonstration of their software program, and these interactions are useful too, however there’s a totally different type of impression (and a few necessary takeaways) from formal demonstration classes. Within the extra structured, scheduled demo classes, most suppliers will look to have their best possible workers members available to run the demo and reply attendee questions. The demos will often be tightly scripted to focus on the most effective options of the answer. Lastly, many suppliers will carry alongside further product growth and management workers as a type of “present of power”—which, even when not useful, is not less than attention-grabbing to look at. In brief, it’s best to plan to attend not less than one (and doubtlessly a number of) of those classes at HR Tech.

As somebody who has seen in all probability greater than 1,000 demos in the previous couple of years, listed here are a few of my tricks to get essentially the most out of those classes.

1. Take note of what options are demonstrated—but in addition attempt to make word of what capabilities should not proven. Keep in mind, in a structured demo, the supplier has had a number of months to arrange and script the session to showcase the answer in the absolute best means, and if there’s something not proven, there may be usually a cause why. If some factor of a given operate or course of is missed, pay attention to that, and attempt to carry it up within the question-and-answer interval. In a tightly scripted session, it may be helpful to gauge the consolation stage and the responses from unplanned viewers questions.
2. Attempt to get a way of how the software program “feels.” You’re going to see plenty of software program at HR Tech, even some options that appear similar to one another in capabilities. In a short while, like within the hour-long, structured demonstration, you may solely see a lot performance. So, along with assessing performance, attempt to get a way of the “really feel” of the software program—issues just like the design, circulate, ease of use and stage of effort wanted to finish a course of or make an replace. Over time, many of the variations in capabilities amongst suppliers are inclined to diminish, however their person expertise—basically, how they “really feel”—tends to be distinctive.
3. Depend the “wows.” Through the course of the hour, pay attention to what number of occasions you see one thing actually progressive, new or sudden. It could possibly be a brand new functionality, a greater approach to conduct a typical course of, or only a good or intelligent reply from an answer marketing consultant to an viewers member query. Did something make you pause and say “Wow”? Did one thing pique your curiosity sufficient to make a remark for a follow-up, both after the session or after the convention? In the event you expertise a number of “wow” moments in that hour, you then in all probability have some follow-up to do! And if there are none? It could be wonderful, however it ought to make you seek for what maybe was lacking from the demo session.

Formal, structured demonstrations should not excellent; they aren’t developed particularly to your group and your necessities and, thus, they’ve considerably restricted particular person impression. However they do have actual worth, and if there’s a supplier on the schedule you will have some actual curiosity in (and even just a few curiosity), I encourage you to attend. Each interplay you will have with a supplier and its workers must be part of your determination course of, and all interactions imply one thing. I hope you reap the benefits of these nice alternatives to see and study from a number of the finest suppliers with essentially the most progressive options within the HR tech trade.

Click on right here to register for the HR Know-how Convention, Sept. 13-16 in Las Vegas.