Rick Hammell, Founder and CEO of Helios, shares insights on how Helios' AI-driven solutions are revolutionizing global workforce management. In this episode of the Disruption Interruption podcast, learn how the company is automating HR processes, enhancing compliance, simplifying complex financial transactions, and fostering equitable opportunities for businesses navigating hiring challenges.

(Tampa Bay, FL) November 12, 2024 - As 81% of HR leaders increasingly turn to AI-based solutions to enhance efficiency, the need to harness technology in transforming human resources is more crucial than ever. (1) Rick Hammell, Founder and CEO of Helios—a global leader in workforce management and payments—sits down with host Karla Jo Helms (KJ) in this week's episode of the Disruption Interruption podcast. The conversation covers the ongoing challenges in global employment and AI's role in redefining HR practices and compliance across borders. "Before we built this, we were doing a lot of manual processes," says Hammell. "Helios is creating equitable opportunities for people to compete in the global marketplace. By leveraging our technology, companies can expand their business the right way."

Navigating Global Hiring Challenges
Global hiring presents two key challenges: understanding diverse employment regulations and managing complex financial transactions. As Rick Hammell points out, no country is the same.
Basic concepts like treating employees fairly and adhering to proper hiring and termination practices may appear straightforward but can vary significantly across regions. For example, outside of the U.S., at-will employment does not exist, and companies must deal with employment contracts and mandatory notice periods, which can be confusing for U.S.-based businesses.
Additionally, Hammell explains that dealing with cross-border finances is a major challenge, as anti-money laundering laws and cross-border money movements are heavily regulated.
"Helios is based on these experiences so businesses can simplify and automate processes, making sure they focus on their strategy, cost-effectively".

Transforming HR: Helios Approach for Global Workforce Efficiency
Hammell illustrates the platform's functionality with a clear example: "If a manager decides to promote an employee like John Smith with a 20% salary increase effective January 1, 2025, the platform provides an immediate, comprehensive overview." Helios benchmarks John's new salary against industry standards, showing where it stands within the company's compensation. The tool also visualizes the updated organizational chart and reporting structure.

"Helios updates payroll records and effective dates, sends company-wide notifications, and schedules one-on-one meetings with John's new direct reports, so you don't have to do any of that", points out Hammell. This holistic automation approach reduces manual tasks and frees HR teams to focus on more strategic initiatives.

Empowering Equitable Global Expansion with Experience-Driven Technology
Hammell underscores that the true value of technology lies not only in its automation capabilities but in being built on real-world experience rather than assumptions.

Helios goes beyond being just a digital platform; it guides businesses through their global workforce management journey, simplifying intricate processes so companies can focus on growth. "Unlike solutions developed solely through focus groups or data testers, Helios speaks the language of its users," Hammell stated. "We understand their pain points and created a solution to ensure people are setting themselves up for success."