CHRO IN ACTION Putting data to work Numbers have always been a factor in human Morris’ team put this into play with its 2022 resources, but today’s CHROs have access to more, Associate Engagement Survey. By using internal better and deeper data than ever before. And as technology to drive the survey in real-time, they access to it has changed, so has its impact. were able to draw responses from nearly a million employees in just five days. They then used AI “Data and insights are paramount for our jobs,” says and machine learning capabilities to segment Donna Morris, Chief People Officer at Walmart. the data and distill qualitative comments into “Years ago, we didn’t have it as real-time, or as actionable categories and insights. As a result, accessible as it is today … If I had to go back 15 they could act on the survey results right away, years, I’d say it took a lot longer to get predictive instead of the typical three to five weeks it would insights. And often it was predictive in outcomes, normally take to do so. “And, when it comes to not actually insight. So, if an outcome happened, DEI and representation,” Morris says, “we are now we assumed it would happen again. It wasn’t as able to report every six months—armed with real- if we could apply logic to data to give us different time data that enables us to be transparent about formulated outcomes and insight.” where we’re at and to be even more accountable Now, CHROs are experimenting with artificial to drive progress and change.” intelligence, machine learning and other Over the years, Morris says the CHRO role has technological tools that can uncover hidden truths pivoted from a focus on talent and retention to a in the numbers—and all faster than ever. role focused on furthering the business through organizational growth and people. 26