Inside the Modern HCM Buying Journey with Special Guest Meredith Reilly

In this episode, Pete and Julie welcome Meredith Reilly, Chief Sales Officer at isolved, for a candid conversation on what is really happening in the HCM and payroll buying market. The conversation explores why HR tech is often “sold” more than it is bought, why decision cycles are getting longer, and how buyers are navigating fatigue from overpromised technology, inconsistent service, and increasingly complex internal stakeholders. From board involvement and IT scrutiny to broker influence, AI expectations, managed services, and the growing importance of customer experience, this discussion unpacks the new realities shaping HR and payroll technology decisions. Meredith also shares why service, trust, proof points, and clear buying processes matter more than ever, especially as organizations look to AI not simply for efficiency, but for better data, stronger decisions, and a more strategic HR function. Meredith offers a practical look at the future of HCM buying and what it will take for vendors, advisors, and buyers to move beyond noise, make better decisions, and build more resilient people operations. Connect with Meredith:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredith-reilly-33750246/  www.isolvedhcm.com  isolved’s ‘Advisory Services Research’ report: https://www.isolvedhcm.com/resources/whitepapers/advisory-services-research  Connect with the show: LinkedIn:  http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0 X: @HRPayroll2_0  X: @PeteTiliakos  X: @JulieFer_HR BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0  WRKDefined Podcast Network: https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/hr-payroll-20  Thank you to our marquee sponsors for powering the HR & Payroll 2.0 podcast forward!  G-P ‘Globalization Partners’: https://www.globalization-partners.com/ OneSource Virtual: https://hubs.ly/Q03YFNR90 Zoho: https://www.zoho.com/press.html Thank you to our ‘wizard behind the curtain’ and show producer Ryan Kielma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-kielma/