Every business begins with a spark, a vision to create something meaningful, to solve problems, or to make lives better. But turning that spark into a steady flame takes more than just hard work; it takes the right people, the right tools, and a partner who truly gets it. In a world buzzing with change, where technology and human ambition intertwine, finding a guide who can lead both with care and creativity is a game-changer. Businesses need more than just advice—they need a team that listens, adapts, and builds solutions as unique as their story. This is where Collective HR Solutions, Inc. steps in as a trusted ally to help companies grow, innovate, and succeed with heart.

Collective HR Solutions is a premier consulting firm specializing in business advisory, recruitment, and technology consulting services. With a robust network of seasoned professionals, the company delivers innovative, tailored solutions that optimize human resource functions. Their expertise spans vendor consulting, HR technology assessments, and seamless implementation services, empowering clients to streamline operations and drive growth. By leveraging decades of industry experience and a collaborative approach, Collective HR Solutions ensures every client benefits from a vast reservoir of knowledge and cutting-edge strategies.

At CIO Bulletin, we had the distinct honor of interviewing Nov Omana, HR Information Professional (HRIP) and the esteemed CEO of Collective HR Solutions, Inc. With remarkable clarity and dedication, Mr. Omana shared how his team blends innovative technology with human-centric insight to empower businesses. His inspiring leadership guides Collective HR Solutions in transforming ambitious visions into meaningful achievements, helping organizations unlock their potential and succeed with purpose and precision.

Interview Highlights

Mr. Nov Omana, what is the story behind the inception of Collective HR Solutions, Inc., and what inspired you to establish the company?

My entire career has been centered on Human Resources Technology, and it is now more prevalent than ever. Many startups are concentrating on this area, and as such, the choices of solutions have multiplied, making the selection of a vendor daunting and expensive.

I have felt that, with many years of experience and practical knowledge of implementing vendor solutions, I can help clients develop their business and HR requirements through deep interviews, issue/collate vendor responses, plan scripted demonstrations, and assist in selecting and contracting for a vendor solution. And, having been intimately involved with the selection and knowing the client’s needs, we are a natural choice to assist in the implementation.

Can you provide an overview of the key products and services offered by Collective HR Solutions, and how they differentiate you in the HR technology space?

Over the many years, we have developed a very honed set of services and created new ones in response to our clients’ or prospects’ needs. One such service, now three years in existence, is a hosted monthly, hour-long session called the Technology Review Council (TRC). I invite startups to demonstrate what is new in approaches and technology. My audience consists of over 800 individuals from my network, from various industries, company sizes, positions in the organization, and geographies around the country. We all learn from the experience – vendors get feedback, the audience discusses the relevancy of the solution, and we all learn.

I also host a podcast (what consultant doesn’t?) called TechNOVLogic. It is in its infancy, but I see it as a natural extension of the TRC, with the founders and CEOs explaining their passion for what they are offering.

Collective HR Solutions’ Primary Services:

• Business/HR requirements development
• Vendor evaluation/selection/contracting
• Implementation services
• HR technology stack assessment (HCM Diagnostic Service)
• Review of operational/technical problems (concerns) to assess solutions
• CEO advisory board memberships (CEOs of startups) – participatory and interactive sessions of start-up business problems and solutions
• Expanding service and platform partnerships to broaden our range and provide more services to our clients

What role does your extensive professional network play in delivering tailored solutions to clients across various industries?

My network is where I can select specific individuals whom I have known and worked with to bring to my clients to solve their problems. My network is an active source of opinions, needs, opportunities, and learning posts. I value that network because it keeps me well-informed. It allows me to bring talent to my clients that is specifically needed, not just “bodies.”

In what ways does Collective HR Solutions use insights from trade associations and industry events to shape its services and keep clients informed about emerging HR technology trends?

I attend most HR Technology trade shows annually, I speak publicly to many groups and local educational institutions, and each of those interactions provides me with the opportunity to hear different opinions, approaches, and outcomes across a wide variety of projects and solutions. Consulting is a continual learning experience, incorporating your experiences and those of the people you work with (staff or clients) into your repertoire of skills.

How do you approach building strategic partnerships, such as those in your Partner Channels, to create unique offerings that enhance client and vendor outcomes in the HR technology space?

I seek unique offerings from partners—products or services that will benefit my clients. Unless a partner offers something unique, I am familiar with their offering, but they are not considered partners. Everyone in my network becomes a resource to continually broaden my knowledge and expand what I can bring to my clients.  We are continually seeking the unique approaches to solve our clients’ concerns.

Given the rapid evolution of HR technology, how does Collective HR Solutions stay ahead of trends to ensure clients and vendors are prepared for future challenges?

To keep up to date with a rapidly changing and evolving discipline, I rely on my conversations with my Advisory Board (respected individuals in the HR community), my network, the Technology Review Council, and the postings and webinars of the fundamental organization in my field—IHRIM.org—the ONLY HR TECHNOLOGY association that provides certification for our discipline.

Your Technology Review Council has supported over 50 vendors in the past year. Can you share a success story where this council’s feedback significantly shaped a vendor’s product or strategy?

Often, what we experience is a mutual exchange of perspectives in our sessions, where the vendor hears a logical expansion of their solution, and the audience learns about the “need” the vendor identified and helps shape that offering based on relevancy, market segment, business model, or other factors. Every vendor who has participated in the Technology Review Council sessions has stated that it was a unique and worthwhile use of their time.

What are Collective HR Solutions’ future plans, and are there any exciting initiatives or innovations your clients should look forward to in 2025 and beyond?

We are expanding our primary services to ensure that Artificial Intelligence is considered across platforms, analytics, and communications. It is a functional area that has grown without much structure, and we feel the need to acquaint our clients and prospects with important considerations regarding its usage. It will become a dimension of our vendor evaluations; we will discuss it in our podcasts and provide insights to our clients about the responsible use of AI within their organizations.

The Visionary Leader Shaping the Future of HR Technology

Nov Omana, HR Information Professional (HRIP) is known for his thought leadership and deep understanding of how to combine and leverage technology, earning a reputation for “connecting the dots” between technologies to create innovative solutions and solve business challenges. He has successfully introduced vendors with complementary solutions to partner together, resulting in stronger go-to-market products.

A frequent keynote presenter, moderator, and contributor to HR association events, Nov is often sought after by media outlets for his insights on the industry at large, as well as technology and HR trends. He also consults with research firms, offering valuable perspectives on both emerging technologies and the evolving needs of buyers. He is frequently quoted for his futurist views on the changing nature of the workplace, the worker, and the work itself. Nov has been a certified Human Resources Information Professional (HRIP) since 2010 and is a recipient of the prestigious IHRIM Summit Award.

“To stay ahead in the ever-evolving HR tech space, I rely on my advisory board, a dynamic network, and IHRIM.org—the only HR Technology Association offering certification in our discipline.”