-HR Technology
HR System Selection & Implementation
designed around Growing SMEs
Most systems don't fail because of the software , they fail because they're layered onto processes that don't quite work. I design your HR operating system first, then implement the right technology to support it.
-THE PROBLEM
Why most HR tech doesn’t deliver.
Bought too early
Systems are chosen before the business is ready, creating unnecessary complexity and wasted budget
Implemented poorly
No clear processes underneath, no ownership, and minimal manager adoption, so nobody uses it
Underused
You're paying for capability you're not actually using and still running things from spreadsheets
-THE DIFFERENCE
I design the system first
I don't start with software. I start with how your business actually runs — how you hire, manage, develop and retain your people. From there, I design a joined-up HR operating system that supports performance, clarity and growth. Only then do I introduce the right tools.
Map your processes — understand how your business actually runs, not how it should in theory
Design the operating system — build the people processes that connect hiring, performance, development and retention
Select the right technology — match platforms to your size, stage and actual needs
Implement properly — configure, migrate data, integrate, and train your team
Embed and support — make sure people actually use it, and help you get more from it over time
-THE TOOLS I USE (WHEN RIGHT FOR YOU)
Trusted platforms, selected for purpose
I work with a small number of trusted platforms — each selected for a specific purpose, not because they're popular. I'm an official certified partner for every platform listed here.
Core HR Platforms
The foundation: employee records, leave, absence, performance, documents and compliance — all in one place, replacing spreadsheets and email chains.
Best for smaller SME’s
Breathe
Simple, affordable HR software built specifically for UK SMEs with up to 250 people. If you're still running HR from spreadsheets and email, Breathe is usually the first step up — and it's one your team will actually use.
Best for:
Businesses with 10-100 employees who want to get the basics right without overcomplicating things. First-time HR software buyers.
Holiday and absence management
Employee database and documents
Performance reviews and one-to-ones
Rota and shift scheduling
Recruitment module
GDPR-compliant and ISO27001 accredited
Best for mid-market
HiBob
A modern, powerful HR platform for mid-sized and fast-growing companies. If you've outgrown Breathe or need multi-country support, advanced analytics, and deeper performance management, HiBob is the step up.
Best for:
Businesses with 50-500+ employees, especially tech companies, creative agencies, and organisations with distributed or international teams.
Full employee lifecycle management
People analytics and workforce planning
Compensation management
Multi-country payroll integrations
Culture and engagement tools
Advanced workflows and automation
Best for Growing SMEs
Sense HR
A flexible, feature-rich HR platform that sits between the simplicity of Breathe and the depth of HiBob. Strong on compliance, reporting and employee self-service.
Best for:
Businesses with 30-200 employees who need more than basic HR software but don't need enterprise-level complexity.
Core HR and employee management
Leave and absence tracking
Document management
Employee self-service portal
Reporting and compliance
Learning & Development LMS
Give your team access to structured learning and development that fits around their work.
Learning
Sensei
A learning management platform that makes it easy to deliver, track and manage training across your business — from compliance essentials to leadership development and professional skills.
Best for:
Businesses that want to invest in their people's development with structured, trackable learning — without building a training department.
Learning management system (LMS)
Course library and custom content
Compliance and mandatory training tracking
Progress monitoring and reporting
Mobile-friendly learning
All managed so that you have relevant and bespoke learning paths
Operational Efficiency
Reduce admin, automate workflows, and connect your people processes with day-to-day operations.
Workflow & Operations
WorkSmarter
An easy-to-use people management platform that combines holiday planning, absence tracking, timesheets, expenses, performance management and onboarding in one system. Built to reduce admin and give managers visibility across their team.
Best for:
Growing businesses that need to streamline day-to-day people admin — timesheets, expenses, holidays, document signing — without the complexity of a full HRIS.
Holiday planner and absence tracker
Timesheets and attendance
Expenses and mileage
Performance management
Document signing and HR files
New employee onboarding
Applicant tracking
Wellbeing & Performance
Support your people's mental health, wellbeing and performance — before issues impact productivity and retention.
Wellbeing & HR
Plumm
An all-in-one HR, wellbeing and learning platform that gives your people fast access to therapy, coaching and mental health support alongside core HR functionality. If employee wellbeing is a priority, Plumm puts it at the centre of your people strategy.
Best for:
Businesses of any size that want to put wellbeing at the heart of their people offering — or organisations looking for a platform that combines HR, wellbeing, learning and performance in one place.
Fast access to therapy and coaching
AI-powered wellbeing support
Mood tracking and engagement insights
Learning management with 600+ courses
Core HR, performance reviews and surveys
Meditations, soundscapes and wellbeing resources
Workplace Insights
CoEfficient
A human insights platform built for HR consultants and business coaches. CoEfficient helps me surface the truth inside your organisation — capturing honest employee perspectives that leadership can't always see, and turning them into data-driven action plans that create real change.
Best for:
Any business where leadership wants to understand what's really going on beneath the surface — engagement, culture, wellbeing, and the gaps between what people say and what they actually experience.
Workplace insight surveys that surface the real picture
Data-driven conversations grounded in evidence, not guesswork
Actionable insights and prioritised recommendations
Benchmark your organisation against industry data
Track progress and measure the impact of interventions
-WHERE I ADD VALUE
More than just a software recommendation
Selecting the right system for your stage of growth
Designing processes that actually work in your business
Supporting implementation and manager adoption
Connecting systems so they don't operate in silos
Turning data into something you can actually use
-Already have systems?
Some businesses I work with already have HR tools
But they're underused, disconnected, or creating more admin than they solve. I fix that — without forcing you to start again. Whether it's getting more from what you've already got or migrating to something better, I'll give you an honest assessment and a clear plan.
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That's literally what I'm here for. During the discovery call, I'll ask about your team size, what you're struggling with, what you've tried before, and what your budget looks like. Then I'll recommend the platform that fits — not the one that pays me the most commission. If none of them are right, I'll tell you that too.
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It varies by platform, team size, and which modules you need. Some start from as little as a few pounds per employee per month. I'll give you clear pricing during the discovery call and help you compare options so you can make an informed decision.
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You don't need it, but you'd probably benefit from it. If you're managing holiday in a spreadsheet, storing contracts in a filing cabinet, or losing track of who's had their performance review — HR software will save you time, reduce risk, and make your business look more professional to your team. Especially with the new legal requirements to log holiday!
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For UK small businesses with 10-100 employees, Breathe HR is typically the best starting point as it's affordable, simple and designed for UK SMEs, while businesses with 50+ employees or international teams may benefit from HiBob, and those prioritising wellbeing should consider Plumm.
As an official partner for Breathe, HiBob, Sense HR, WorkSmarter and Plumm, Siobhan Godden helps businesses choose based on their actual needs, not the platform that pays the most commission. A free discovery call is the best way to get a recommendation.
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Yes, and many of my clients do. A typical combination might be Breathe or HiBob for core HR, CoEfficient for workplace insights, Plumm for wellbeing, and Sensei for learning. I'll help you build a tech stack that works together without creating admin headaches.
-Technology Questions
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