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    BPI Expert Faculty

    Jason Averbook

    Senior Partner and Global Leader of HR Transformation

    Mercer

    Key Takeaways

    • 1.Jason Averbook is a leading expert in HR transformation, the future of work, and creating digital workforce experiences.
    • 2.He is the author of "HR from Now to Next" and "The Ultimate Guide to a Digital Workforce Experience."
    • 3.Averbook advocates for the ethical integration of AI into HR strategies and functions.
    • 4.He co-founded the digital HR advisory firm Leapgen, which is now part of Mercer.
    • 5.He is recognized as a top HR technology influencer for his work advising global organizations.

    About Jason

    Jason Averbook is a Senior Partner and Global HR Transformation Leader at Mercer, an expert in the digital workforce experience and the ethical integration of AI in HR, contributing to the Best Practice Institute's insights on evolving HR practices.

    Who is Jason Averbook?

    Jason Averbook is a recognized authority in Human Resources and technology, currently serving as a Senior Partner and Global Leader of HR Transformation at Mercer. Based out of Singapore at times, he guides executives on optimizing HR functions and spearheads Mercer's global generative AI strategy. His influence extends to innovative HR technology solutions for a diverse global clientele.

    Regarded as a top thought leader in HR technology, Averbook is celebrated for his visionary approach to the future of work. His expertise helps organizations navigate the complexities of digital transformation, ensuring HR remains a strategic partner capable of fostering human-centric workplaces in an increasingly AI-driven landscape.

    Quick facts about Jason Averbook

    Role
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    Expertise
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    BPI affiliation

    What is Jason Averbook known for?

    • Expertise in HR transformation, the future of work, and digital workforce experience.
    • Pioneering the ethical integration of AI in HR strategies.
    • Advising Fortune 1000 companies on evolving HR from administrative functions to strategic partnerships.
    • Author of HR from Now to Next: Reimagining the Workplace of Tomorrow.
    • Author of The Ultimate Guide to a Digital Workforce Experience: Leap for a Purpose.
    • Recognized as a Top 100 HR Tech Influencer by HR Executive and a Top 70 HR Tech Thought Leader by leadersHum.
    • Co-founding and leading Leapgen, a company acquired and now partnered as Mercer | Leapgen.

    What is Jason Averbook's background and experience?

    Jason Averbook brings over 30 years of extensive experience in the HR and technology sectors. Before his current role at Mercer, he was the CEO and co-founder of Leapgen from January 2018 to March 2023, a strategic advisory firm focused on digital HR transformation. His career also includes a tenure as CEO of The Marcus Buckingham Company (TMBC).

    Earlier in his career, Averbook co-founded and served as CEO of Knowledge Infusion LLC, a strategic workforce consulting organization that was acquired by Appirio in 2012. He also held significant leadership positions at PeopleSoft and Ceridian, where he honed his expertise in HR technology and workforce management. His journey began with implementing DOS mainframe payroll systems, providing him a foundational understanding of HR operations from the ground up.

    What topics does Jason Averbook speak and write about?

    Jason Averbook focuses on critical topics at the intersection of Human Resources and technology, emphasizing how organizations can adapt to the future of work. His insights frequently address HR transformation, the strategic impact of digital experiences on the workforce, and the ethical deployment of artificial intelligence in HR processes. He challenges the traditional view of HR, advocating for a shift from technology projects to integrated digital functions that truly serve the employee experience.

    His publications, including HR from Now to Next: Reimagining the Workplace of Tomorrow and The Ultimate Guide to a Digital Workforce Experience: Leap for a Purpose, serve as foundational texts for practitioners navigating this evolution. Averbook also explores the necessity of human-centric digital strategies, stressing the importance of empathy and emotional intelligence in creating impactful digital experiences. His work extends to discussions on AI fluency, the evolving role of HR in the age of AI, and how to scale empathy within large organizations.

    How does Jason Averbook contribute to the Best Practice Institute?

    Jason Averbook serves as an expert faculty member for the Best Practice Institute, contributing to BPI's mission of identifying and disseminating best practices in leadership, HR, and organizational development. His deep understanding of HR transformation and the future of work aligns with BPI's research into creating Most Loved Workplaces® and fostering environments through models like SPARK. Averbook's insights aid BPI members in understanding how digital strategies and AI can ethically enhance employee experience and organizational effectiveness.

    Through his expertise as a global leader in HR transformation, Averbook helps BPI members and the broader community grasp the strategic implications of digital HR, moving beyond mere technological adoption to truly reimagine the workplace. His work supports the core tenets of the Love of Workplace Index™ (LOWI) by showing how advanced HR practices can build more engaging, empathetic, and productive organizational cultures.

    Where can you learn more from Jason Averbook?

    To delve deeper into Jason Averbook's perspectives on HR transformation, the future of work, and AI, explore his books, HR from Now to Next and The Ultimate Guide to a Digital Workforce Experience. You can also find his recent interviews and articles discussing HR in the age of AI on platforms like Eightfold.ai's The New Talent Code podcast, his Substack Now to Next, and various industry publications. His insights are valuable resources for HR and business leaders seeking to navigate the evolving digital landscape.

    Background & Perspective

    Background and Experience

    Jason Averbook is a Senior Partner and the Global Leader of HR Transformation at Mercer, with over 30 years of experience in the HR and technology sectors. He is a recognized authority on optimizing HR functions and directs Mercer's global generative AI strategy.

    Before his current role, Jason was the CEO and co-founder of Leapgen, a strategic advisory firm focused on digital HR transformation, which was acquired by and now operates as a partner with Mercer. His career also includes leadership positions as CEO of The Marcus Buckingham Company (TMBC) and CEO of Knowledge Infusion LLC, which was acquired by Appirio. Earlier, he held key roles at PeopleSoft and Ceridian.

    Areas of Expertise

    Jason's expertise lies at the intersection of Human Resources and technology. He is a visionary in:

    • HR Transformation: Guiding organizations to evolve HR from an administrative function to a strategic partner.
    • Digital Workforce Experience: Creating human-centric digital strategies and experiences for employees.
    • AI in HR: Pioneering the ethical integration and deployment of artificial intelligence in HR processes.
    • Future of Work: Helping organizations navigate the complexities of digital transformation and prepare for the future of work.
    • HR Technology Strategy: Advising Fortune 1000 companies on innovative HR technology solutions.

    Thought Leadership and Publications

    Recognized as a Top 100 HR Tech Influencer by HR Executive, Jason is a leading voice shaping the future of HR. He challenges traditional views, advocating for integrated digital functions that serve the employee experience.

    He has authored two influential books:

    • HR from Now to Next: Reimagining the Workplace of Tomorrow
    • The Ultimate Guide to a Digital Workforce Experience: Leap for a Purpose

    Through his writing, speaking, and advisory work, Jason provides a roadmap for practitioners seeking to build more engaging, empathetic, and productive organizational cultures.

    Areas of Expertise

    HR TransformationAI in HRDigital Workforce ExperienceFuture of WorkHR Technology StrategyOrganizational EmpathyTalent Strategy

    Research Topics

    Human ResourcesWorkforce TransformationArtificial IntelligenceOrganizational Development

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    Frequently asked questions

    Best Practice Institute

    Best Practice Institute is the research organization behind Most Loved Workplace® certification, the SPARK Model, the Love of Workplace Index™ (LOWI™), and The Workplace Report.

    The Workplace Report

    The Workplace Report is BPI's original workplace culture research and editorial briefing series for CEOs, CHROs, people leaders, talent leaders, and employer-brand teams. It turns BPI's 25 years of research, Most Loved Workplace® certification data, SPARK findings, and current workforce signals into practical analysis leaders can use.

    The report format includes executive summaries, research-backed articles, company examples, methodology notes, and practical implications for retention, hiring, culture, leadership, and employee experience. New research and analysis is published on an ongoing editorial cadence at /workplace-report.