The Role of Technology in Organization Development and Change

Francisco Farias, HR Cluster Director, AkzoNobel

Francisco Farias, HR Cluster Director, AkzoNobel

Francisco Farias is a seasoned HR professional with a passion for process design in Human Resources. He specializes in Training & Development, Compensation & Benefits, and Payroll Services, driving effective HR practices and boosting organizational performance. With a strong project management background, Francisco has successfully led and delivered numerous HR projects. His exceptional interpersonal skills foster meaningful relationships with stakeholders at all levels. He excels in dynamic environments, thriving in start-ups and international contexts.

What are some of the trends or emerging technologies in the field of organizational development that are driving progress and shaping the future of HR?

In the field of organizational development, achieving the optimal balance between technology and the human touch is a key trend driving progress in HR. By leveraging technology, we enhance people's lives and streamline processes to create a conducive environment. However, it is essential to carefully assess technology's impact to avoid excessive bureaucracy or crises in talent management. Our approach involves accurately understanding the needs of our community and establishing robust talent processes aligned with our business strategy. By combining strategic goals with a comprehensive understanding of risks and complexities, we prioritize strong workforce planning. This ensures we have the right capabilities and individuals in the appropriate roles, enabling us to fulfill career aspirations and drive business success.

“I have learned to navigate tough projects, cost optimizations, and challenging business environments, particularly in Latin America where high inflation and other factors present ongoing difficulties.”

What is your approach to finding the right partners for adopting new technology solutions?

Our approach to finding the right partners for adopting new technology solutions revolves around creating a strong environment that balances the needs of the audience, employees, and business realities. While delivering results and driving earnings remain essential, we now place a growing emphasis on fostering a harmonious blend between professional and personal aspects. The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the importance of unity and collaboration, prompting a mindset shift. Our goal is to leverage technology to improve lives while maintaining a strong focus on achieving desired outcomes. Hence, we seek providers who can effectively combine advanced technology with employee well-being for sustained success in this international and demanding business landscape.

What are some of your recent project initiatives?

One of our recent project initiatives involved implementing a comprehensive self-assessment of our technology pipeline, with a primary focus on our HR systems. This initiative was part of our region's transformation from a decentralized approach to a centralized model, facilitated by the establishment of a global business services platform. This platform allowed us to concentrate processes and leverage technology to better support our employees in accessing policies, processes, and improving communication. Beyond cost synergies, the initiative aimed to deliver high-quality services and cater to our customers' needs more effectively.

Over the past five years, we've witnessed significant growth in maturity levels, with our workforce fully embracing this transformational journey. While some face-to-face communications were replaced with ticket systems and other technological solutions, we prioritized effective change management strategies to ensure that these changes were perceived positively and did not hinder interpersonal interactions. Our focus was to save time and enhance the quality of conversations, fostering talent development and diversity discussions, while minimizing bureaucratic routines. The project's goal was to use technology to provide our people with improved and more satisfying basic services, leading to greater overall happiness and satisfaction among our workforce.

How do you envision the future of the space?

Throughout my experiences, I have learned to navigate tough projects, cost optimizations, and challenging business environments, particularly in Latin America where high inflation and other factors present ongoing difficulties. And have acknowledged the need to think creatively, make meaningful connections with others, and be aware of how important decisions may affect the community as a whole. Moreover In the field of organizational growth, there are no precise predictions or new innovations; rather, having resilience and adaptability is quite important. While flexibility is emphasized in turbulent and rising industries, resilience has been identified as a vital soft talent that is necessary for accepting and adjusting to unanticipated conditions. It highlights how important it is to focus on the happiness of people, as this translates into positive results and profitability.

What would be your piece of advice for budding professionals in the field?

It is crucial to integrate diverse and inclusive programs into company's DNA. This is not just a good practice but a necessity for future success. By prioritizing people as customers and stakeholders, we can effectively reach broader markets and build a positive reputation. It is important to avoid making assumptions about different generations and instead recognize the unique perspectives of individuals. Placing people at the center of our mission and vision ensures a strong foundation for an inclusive and respectful environment. Ultimately, embracing diversity and inclusion is not just about meeting expectations, but about creating a better future for all.