Back with a Bang: Cezanne Connect 2024 Roundup

Nestled within the breathtaking surroundings of the London Stadium at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Cezanne Connect 2024 brought together over 250 valued clients for a day filled with insightful discussions, interactive workshops, and glimpses into the future of the Cezanne platform leading into 2025. A noteworthy addition to this year’s event was the inaugural Cezanne Awards, where we celebrated the remarkable achievements of our clients over the past year.

Highlights of the Day

The event commenced with an engaging introduction from Cezanne’s CEO, Simon Noble, who highlighted the transformative journey the company experienced over the past twelve months. He candidly discussed how their ambitions are materializing thanks to the backing of new investment partners, NorthEdge. Despite facing global economic challenges, Cezanne continues to thrive and grow.

Simon also elaborated on what he termed BHAGs – Big Hairy Ambitious Goals, for those unfamiliar with the term. He articulated the company’s primary mission: to become the most beloved HRIS and payroll system available. To achieve this, Cezanne must focus on three core objectives:

• Enhancing user experience to meet evolving client needs.
• Investing in innovation and technology to provide cutting-edge solutions.
• Building a dedicated team that embodies the spirit of continuous improvement.

To illustrate how Cezanne plans to evolve over the next twelve months, Simon shared an exciting product roadmap that left the audience buzzing with anticipation. As he concluded his talk, Simon emphasized that the company has made significant progress in 2024, but this momentum will only continue into 2025 and beyond. There will be ongoing investments in critical business areas, ensuring that Cezanne delivers an exceptional service to its growing clientele.

Engaging Keynote by Kirsty Baggs-Morgan

One of the key highlights of Cezanne Connect was an inspiring keynote by renowned HR consultant and founder of Ethica HR, Kirsty Baggs-Morgan. Her presentation explored the evolving perception of HR and the importance of a robust HR strategy, a concept that often sits atop the to-do lists of HR professionals.

Kirsty pointed out that while business leaders recognize HR strategy as crucial to organizational success, its true application can vary significantly. She stressed that an effective HR strategy transcends mere alignment with business goals; it should also nurture employee growth, deepen engagement, and cultivate long-term value for both the workforce and the organization. Her thought-provoking insights ignited lively discussions among attendees, prompting many to reconsider their approach to HR strategy.

Interactive Panel Discussion: We Love Your Voice

The day featured an innovative addition dubbed the ‘We Love Your Voice’ panel discussion, which provided a platform for attendees to share their experiences and ideas. Kirsty was joined by three prominent clients, and together they tackled a variety of pressing topics, including the challenges faced over the past year and the growing role of artificial intelligence in the workplace.

AI emerged as a hot topic during this session, with varying opinions expressed by the panellists regarding its implications for HR and payroll professionals. However, a consensus arose: AI holds the potential to revolutionize how HR manages tasks and processes, especially when it comes to reducing the workload associated with administrative duties like contract creation. Despite its advantages, the panel reminded everyone that AI cannot replace the essential human touch that defines human resources.

The Debut of the Cezanne Awards

Another captivating feature of the day was the launch of the Cezanne Awards, designed to recognize the innovative practices of clients who utilize Cezanne to achieve remarkable results within their organizations. These awards highlighted the fantastic accomplishments of the user community during 2024, with categories that celebrated creativity and outstanding implementation.

• Innovation in Use: Awarded to the organization that has demonstrated exceptional creativity in using Cezanne.
• Outstanding Results: Recognizing the client with the most impressive outcomes attributed to their use of Cezanne.

The Cezanne Awards served as a fitting tribute to the clients making notable strides in their HR processes, fostering a sense of community and shared success.

Customer Feedback and Future Enhancements

Another highlight of the event was an interactive session where attendees provided feedback directly to Cezanne’s product development team. Clients were invited to vote on potential new features and enhancements to the platform, ensuring that user voices are integral to Cezanne’s evolution. Additionally, the audience was given an exclusive preview of new user experience (UX) features set to roll out over the next year.

Following the feedback session, the product team unveiled exciting plans for integrating AI functionalities into the Cezanne platform. As artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent in the workplace, Cezanne aims to harness its capabilities to support HR professionals in their daily tasks. Attendees were encouraged to stay tuned for more updates, hinting at significant developments over the coming months.

Looking Ahead to 2025

The day concluded with a closer examination of system enhancements expected in 2025, focusing on improving the overall customer experience. From initial sales consultations to ongoing support, Cezanne is committed to ensuring a seamless journey for its users.

As with any successful event, Cezanne Connect wrapped up with a convivial atmosphere, featuring networking opportunities over drinks and light-hearted conversations among participants.

Conclusion

Cezanne Connect 2024 was not only a celebration of past achievements but also a promising glimpse into the future of the Cezanne platform. With a focus on innovation, customer engagement, and progress, Cezanne is poised for continued success. Clients left with renewed motivation, actionable insights, and enthusiasm for what lies ahead.