Digital Transformation in HR – Is it Actually Happening?

According to HR leaders in the two group sessions co-hosted by ChapmanCG in Germany at the end of last year, the answer is Yes. Digital Transformation in HR is happening, albeit slowly. Digital technology is influencing organizational design, which in turn affects the way HR and managers interact with employees.

SAP shared their current digital platforms, apps and transformation experience with an insightful podcast recorded straight after by one of our co—hosts, Dr Christian Schmeichel (click here to listen). Their journey can be used as a roadmap for the future of digital HR by other organisations.

The discussions also focused on the fact that making the change happen was just as important as the supporting technology needed for the change to occur. HR is poised to be more influential over the next 5 years than it has ever been, and a large part of that is a result of technology finally working hand-in-hand with HR leaders.

Those in attendance agreed that a key to HR’s continued success will be its ability to keep an appropriate pace with technology. Learning, planning, and then implementing whilst keeping an eye on refinement–all at the right speed–will be challenging. Peer-to-peer learning will be key and HR talent with a predisposition towards curiosity and change will enjoy the next evolution of HR and digital. Those HR practitioners who prefer process and structure may opt for HR Operations.

We would like to thank Joy Xu*, Global Head of HR and CHRO at Sandoz, and her team for co-hosting us in Munich and Dr Christian Schmeichel, Senior VP and COO of Global HR at SAP, and his team for hosting us in Walldorf.

Dr Frieder Rummel, Executive Advisor with ChapmanCG and Ben Davies, Co-Global Head & President attended both gatherings joined by HR friends from companies including AkzoNobel, Allianz, Avery Dennison, BCG, Boehringer Ingelheim, Dentsu Aegis Network, Deutsche Telekom, DHL, EY, Fujitsu, GfK, KraussMaffei, Lear Corporation, Merck, Postcon, and TE Connectivity.

*Click here to listen to Joy Xu’s podcast about Is APAC HR Beginning to Set The Global Agenda.