Unmasking the HR Software Market: The Hype, FOMO, and the Need for True Functionality and Flexibility

John Macy
3 min readJun 10, 2023

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Introduction

The HR software market in the USA has experienced significant growth over the years, with numerous vendors vying for attention and market share. However, beneath the glossy marketing campaigns and promises of revolutionary features, there is a troubling trend that has hindered the true satisfaction of functional requirements and flexibility. The market has been driven more by hype, product “me too” mentality, and the fear of missing out (FOMO) rather than a genuine focus on meeting the diverse needs of HR professionals. Additionally, it is intriguing to note that some of the successful players in this market are entrepreneurs rather than HR experts. This article sheds light on these issues and emphasizes the need for a shift towards functional excellence and flexibility in HR software development.

Marketing Hype and Product “Me Too” Approach

In the race to capture market share and attract customers, HR software vendors often rely heavily on marketing hype. They make bold claims about their products, promising revolutionary features and solutions to all HR challenges. However, beneath the surface, many of these solutions fail to deliver on their lofty promises. Vendors often adopt a “me too” mentality, rushing to release features simply because competitors have them, without considering the true value and functionality they provide. As a result, HR professionals are left with a plethora of options that may not address their specific needs or offer the expected benefits.

Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) as a Driving Force

The fear of missing out (FOMO) has become a significant driver in the HR software market. HR professionals and organizations often feel pressured to adopt the latest technologies and trends, even if they don’t align with their functional requirements. This FOMO mentality leads to hasty decisions and investments in software that may not deliver the expected outcomes. Instead of carefully evaluating their needs and selecting solutions that offer true functionality and flexibility, organizations often succumb to the pressure of staying up-to-date and end up with products that do not meet their specific HR challenges.

The Rise of Entrepreneurial Millionaires

A notable observation in the HR software market is the success of entrepreneurs rather than HR experts. While domain expertise is crucial in developing software that caters to the unique needs of HR professionals, some of the most successful players in the market are individuals with entrepreneurial backgrounds rather than HR specialists. This dynamic may contribute to a disconnect between the software’s functional requirements and the practical needs of HR professionals. It emphasizes the need for a closer collaboration between software developers and HR experts to ensure the development of solutions that genuinely address industry challenges.

Conclusion

The HR software market in the USA has seen rapid growth, but it has also been driven by marketing hype, product “me too” strategies, and the fear of missing out (FOMO). The focus on functionality and flexibility has often taken a backseat to the race for market share. Additionally, the success of entrepreneurial millionaires in this space raises questions about the extent to which true HR expertise is driving innovation. To ensure the development of HR software that truly satisfies functional requirements and offers flexibility, it is imperative to shift the focus towards collaboration between HR experts and software developers. By aligning functional excellence with technological advancements, the HR software market can better serve the needs of HR professionals and organizations, fostering true innovation and empowerment in the field.

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John Macy

John Macy is a visionary and thought leader in HR technology, Holochain, Metaverse, Web3, etc. & has written books & consulted to HR clients worldwide