Simona Scutaru, Global HRS Director & SSC Managing Director, Tenneco: Companies are moving towards a business model focused on efficiency and value creation

The business sentiment: The emphasis is on prioritizing activities that yield tangible results, rather than indulging in unnecessary expansion

Despite the prevailing optimism, the Ukrainian war and regional instability have injected a note of caution into business decisions. Companies are reevaluating their strategies, moving away from unsustainable growth models towards a focus on efficiency and value creation. The emphasis is on prioritizing activities that yield tangible results, rather than indulging in unnecessary expansion. In light of these challenges, companies in our industry should prioritize agility and innovation to navigate the evolving landscape and secure sustainable growth in 2024. The business environment is changing faster than ever, with industries experiencing turning points every five years. As our parent company operates in the automotive sector, we’re witnessing the entire industry undergo significant shifts as it searches for the next riverbed of opportunity.

Areas of Growth: There’s a growing recognition of the importance of technology and automation

Within this setting, there’s a growing recognition of the importance of technology and automation. However, there’s a fine balance to strike between leveraging these tools for efficiency gains and the overhead of managing complex systems. Companies are scrutinizing investments in technology to ensure they deliver tangible benefits without overwhelming operational complexity. We see significant potential for growth in areas such as automation, advanced analytics, and digital transformation. These technologies enable us to enhance efficiency, streamline processes, and deliver greater value to our clients.

Leadership in 2024 is about fostering a culture of pragmatism, where decisions are guided by a clear understanding of the trade-offs between perfection and practicality

Leaders are tasked with navigating this delicate balance, emphasizing the importance of quality, compliance, and customer trust. It’s about prioritizing activities that truly add value while being mindful of the resources required for their implementation and maintenance. Leadership in 2024 is about fostering a culture of pragmatism, where decisions are guided by a clear understanding of the trade-offs between perfection and practicality. In our industry, leadership requires a keen focus on adaptability, empathy, and fostering a culture of continuous learning. We’re also witnessing the rise of a new generation of leaders, characterized by ambition, creativity, and strong emotions. The professional environment under their leadership is set to be unpredictable, requiring adaptability and openness to change.

Customer expectations have evolved towards more personalized and seamless experiences

Customers, now more than ever, seek reliability and trustworthiness from service providers. They want assurance that companies are investing wisely, focusing on core competencies, and prioritizing their needs. This underscores the importance of building strong relationships based on transparency, responsiveness, and a shared commitment to success. Customer expectations have evolved towards more personalized and seamless experiences. Meeting these expectations while maintaining high-quality service delivery and compliance standards will be a key challenge for companies in 2024.

Our proudest achievement is the dedication and expertise of our team members, who consistently deliver exceptional results. With a decade of presence in the Romanian market, we’ve experienced steady growth despite changes in ownership every 2-3 years, which often led to shifts in leadership, strategy, and core values. Nevertheless, we’ve managed to maintain a sustainable growth trajectory while contributing to the culture we aspire to have. While we’ve bid farewell to some cherished colleagues who played a pivotal role in shaping our journey, we’ve welcomed new members who bring fresh perspectives and contribute to our ongoing evolution. Each of our colleagues serves as a vital component of our dynamic organism, enriching our professional lives and contributing to our collective success.

Essential Team Skills: Be the best for the team, not the best in the team

Our teams need to consolidate technical skills such as data analysis, process optimization, and proficiency in emerging technologies. Additionally, soft skills like effective communication, collaboration, and adaptability are critical for driving innovation and maintaining relevance. From many perspectives, we are coming back to basics, focusing on essential skills that drive value creation and sustainable growth. Teams must work together better than ever because we are so interconnected; individuals must prioritize the success of the team over individual ego. As we are saying “Be the best for the team, not the best in the team!”

Power words for 2024: Let us embrace adaptability, teamwork, and a forward-thinking mindset to navigate the uncertainties ahead

As we embark on 2024, let us continue to collaborate, innovate, and inspire each other. Together, we can overcome challenges, seize opportunities, and drive positive change in the business services industry. Let us also remember to prioritize customer trust, invest wisely in technology, and maintain a steadfast commitment to security and compliance. With the emergence of a new generation of leaders and the rapidly changing business landscape, let us embrace adaptability, teamwork, and a forward-thinking mindset to navigate the uncertainties ahead. We are not competitors; rather, we all contribute through the companies we manage to the development of our lives, our community and Romania, in general. Let’s look at our industry through an eagle’s lens and move beyond the “fight” for talent to strive for building talent, fostering community, and nurturing a proud generation of Romanians who are content with what we collectively achieve. Here’s to a year filled with growth, resilience, and shared success.