When we talk about HR digital transformation, the conversation often starts with tools and technology. But without the right skills in the team, those tools don't go very far - rather like giving someone a Ferrari without teaching them how to drive.
So we asked: What's holding HR teams back from building digital capabilities internally?
Here's what came back from the Index by Udder responses:
- 75% say their team doesn't have enough time for learning
- 62.5% say training budgets are too tight
- Only 20.8% say it's about a lack of available programmes
- And resistance to tech adoption? Just 12.5% — surprisingly low
It's Not Will — It's Resources
This tells a rather different story than the usual "HR doesn't want to change" narrative we so often hear.
The issue isn't resistance — it's capacity. Pure and simple.
Most HR professionals want to learn and develop new digital skills. But in a world of hiring freezes, never-ending BAU, overwhelming administrative burdens, and constant pressure to 'do more with less,' learning and development becomes a luxury rather than an essential. And that's a tremendous risk to organisational growth.
Why It Matters
Digital transformation isn't a one-off project — it's an ongoing shift in how HR works that requires continuous adaptation. That shift depends just as much on people capability as it does on tech investments, if not more so.
If time and budget for upskilling aren't baked into the transformation strategy from day one, your transformation is already under threat. The fancy new systems you've invested in will likely gather digital dust while your team reverts to familiar, comfortable processes.
So, What Now?
First, benchmark where your team really stands. Index by Udder is a free, objective tool that helps you assess your HR function across 7 key areas — including capability building.
You'll walk away with clear insights into what's genuinely holding your team back (and precisely what to do next). The data might surprise you - and give you the ammunition you need to make a case for proper investment in your team's digital future.
