Whether it’s your first time attending Workday Rising or you’re a seasoned pro, there’s one universal truth: this conference can be as overwhelming as it is inspiring. With hundreds of sessions, a massive expo floor, and non-stop networking opportunities, the value you walk away with depends heavily on what you do before you arrive.
At Syssero, we’ve been in your shoes—literally. Many of us attended Rising as Workday customers long before becoming consultants. That means we know how it feels to be on the client side: uncertain about which sessions are actually worth attending, unsure how to make the most of Brain Dates, and overwhelmed by the sheer number of vendor booths promising transformation.
Now, we help Workday customers at every stage of their journey—and that includes helping them show up to Rising prepared and confident.
Here’s your first guidepost in our Rising Season series.
🧭 Before You Go: Key Questions to Ask Yourself
1. What do I want to walk away with?
Start by getting specific. Are you hoping to solve a reporting bottleneck? Evaluate new functionality? Scope out a future implementation partner? Your goals should inform your entire Rising game plan.
2. What sessions should I attend?
Not all sessions are created equal. The best ones are:
- Aligned to your role (functional, technical, strategic)
- Hosted by real users, not just salespeople.
- Grounded in outcomes, not just buzzwords.
Need help filtering the good from the filler? We’re happy to recommend sessions that map to your current stage in the Workday lifecycle.
What’s a Brain Date—and why should I book one?
Brain Dates are Rising’s best-kept secret. Think of them as curated one-on-one or small group conversations on niche Workday topics.
You can:
- Ask specific questions without the pressure of a pitch
- Share knowledge and build your network
- Connect with people solving similar problems in real time
Pro tip: Book early. The best Brain Dates fill up fast.
Don’t get swept up in flashy booths or buzzwords.
Instead, walk into every conversation with smart, strategic questions:
- “How does your offering integrate with our existing tenant?”
- “Can your solution scale with our team over the next 3 years?”
- “What kind of support do you offer post-deployment?”
- “Can you work alongside our internal team—not around them?”
🤝 Remember: You’re Not Alone
Syssero is built by former Workday clients who now help other organizations navigate the full Workday lifecycle. That means we bring empathy and expertise—not ego—to every engagement.
Whether you’re just getting started with implementation, running steady-state and wondering if you’re using Workday to its full potential Or deep into a mature tenant but lacking the internal capacity to innovate…
We meet you there, with services that flex to your needs:
Leap for pre-implementation and advisory
Time and Materials for flexible support and staff augmentation
Recruiting Services for building Workday capability in-house
AMS for ongoing support, optimization and everything in between
Analytics and Tools through our partner Systics to level up insight and automation
💬 Let Us Help You Prep
We’ve sat where you sit now—uncertain where to start, unsure what sessions to prioritize, wondering if those late-night Expo meetings are really worth it. (Spoiler: They can be… if you go in with a plan.)
This blog is just the beginning of our Rising Season series. In the weeks ahead, we’ll help you:
- Build your Rising itinerary based on your current Workday journey
- Prepare smart, strategic questions for vendors and partners
- Maximize your time at the conference with Brain Dates, meaningful networking, and high-value side conversations
- Stay focused on outcomes—so you don’t return with just a tote bag and vague inspiration