A Customer’s Tips for the Best Workday Rising Experience

Workday Rising is coming up Oct. 1-4, followed by Workday Rising Europe, Nov. 13-15. Our customer Soo Heanue, HR technologies release and change director at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), is a seasoned alumni of Workday Rising Europe. Read on as she shares some tips for getting the most from the conferences.

I always look forward to seeing familiar faces from the Workday customer community, and I’ve built important relationships and made good friends at Workday Rising Europe. In Barcelona last year, I found so many good opportunities to learn about how other organisations are using Workday. It’s those pieces of insight that are so valuable.

As a business, we’re looking to implement a process whereby we have the ability for employees to sign their offer letters and to get their contract change letters much quicker than they do now. There’s an Adobe Sign integration which enables that, so I’m looking forward to learning more about it. I also try to take in some of the customer sessions, as it’s always interesting to hear how other organisations are facing similar challenges. And I always take advantage of the Office Hours, where we get the chance to talk about some of our configuration questions with a Workday expert. That is hugely valuable.

The most important part to me is the fact that all GSK employees are on the same system. Knowing we have one source of truth for our data inspires huge confidence internally. We also know that the two Workday updates per year will deliver continuous innovation and that these will be seamlessly rolled out across our entire organisation. In the old world, we would have to wait four or five years for real innovation to be rolled out—at huge cost and complexity. This is completely different with Workday. That, for me, typifies the Power of One.

Collaboration. There are very few events where you get access to other customers in such a community-oriented setting, and where you have the ability to have transparent, open conversations about your journeys. The spirit of collaboration is what Workday Rising is all about.

Plan your visit! The event grows each year and there is so much good content that it’s easy to get overwhelmed if you don’t plan ahead. Also, make sure you set aside time to meet people and build relationships. There are so many opportunities to speak to people, and because there are so many opportunities to talk to other customers in a relaxed, social environment, it does not feel awkward or forced.

My final piece of advice is to have fun, which you’re sure to have at the Customer Appreciation Party. Workday really pushes the boat out to make these parties special, and it’s great to spend time with other customers in a relaxed setting.

Take the lessons back to the business. The time spent there is only valuable if you can come back and share it with others and help them benefit from it. The learnings from other customers are powerful. I make it a point to hold debriefs at my company about what I’ve learned from other organisations so that we can start thinking about how we might want implement those at GSK.

It’s not too late to register! Join us for Workday Rising in Las Vegas, Oct. 1-4, or Workday Rising Europe in Vienna, Nov. 13-15. Read more on what to expect at both conferences here.