Category: Blog
From Buzzword to Business Impact: Lightcast on Skills-Based Transformation
In this episode of Transformation Realness, we’re diving deep into one of the buzziest topics in HR today: skills. I know, I know — skills
Workday’s Big Play: Redefining HR Tech with Bold Innovation and Trust
In this episode of Transformation Realness, I’m sitting down with the fabulous David Wachtel, General Manager of Talent Products at a little HCM called Workday—maybe
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
Taming the Wild West of TA: How GoodTime Brings Order to Interview Chaos
On this episode of Transformation Realness, I’m hanging out with Ahryun Moon, CEO and co-founder, and Jasper Sone, founder and CPO, of GoodTime—a Workday partner
How HiredScore Is Making Waves With Smarter, Sharper and ✨Iconic✨ Outcomes
On this episode of Transformation Realness, I’m sitting down with Jason Scheckner, Senior Director of Business Strategy, and Ernest Ng, Senior Principal and Product Strategist,
From Burnout to Balance: Donald Knight on Resilient Leadership
On this episode of Transformation Realness, I’m joined by Donald Knight, SVP of People and Culture at Warner Brothers and formerly Chief People Officer at
From Shiny Objects to Real Solutions: Rebecca Carr on TA Tech
On this episode of Transformation Realness, I’m joined by the fabulous Rebecca Carr, CEO of SmartRecruiters, to talk about shaking up talent acquisition with personalized
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
Stop Guessing, Start Listening: The Real Approach to Hiring
On this episode of Transformation Realness, I’m joined by hiring tech trailblazers Jahkedda Akbar, Senior Vice President of Innovation at Radancy Labs, and Matt Lamphear,
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!).
