Raluca Burghelea, Country Managing Director Accenture Romania: In 2025, I’m focused on blending innovation with a genuine human connection in leadership

Outsourcing Today, the business services industry’s community networking and news integrated platform, resumes the series of interviews dedicated to evolution, expectations and opportunities in business services and related industries.

We invite business leaders, managers of strategic departments of companies, key voices in their field to share with us their insights depicting the new beginning of this year in business, how it looks, how it is anticipated, what adjustments are included in 2025’s agenda and the perspective of growth.

Find the full series of interviews here

We spoke recently with Raluca Burghelea, Country Managing Director Accenture Romania about the business evolution, trends and expectations of growth.

Find below the insights:

Strategic Vision and Market Trends

What are the key trends you believe will shape your industry in 2025?

In 2025, the industry will be influenced by the rapid adoption of generative AI and other advanced technologies, driving unprecedented opportunities for innovation, operational efficiency, and customer engagement. Organizations will place greater emphasis on building robust data foundations and integrating AI responsibly to create value while ensuring ethical use.

Sustainability will remain at the forefront, with technology playing a pivotal role in achieving environmental and social goals. Additionally, the workforce will undergo significant transformation, with a focus on reskilling and upskilling to align with the demands of a more digital and AI-driven landscape. These trends will not only redefine how businesses operate but also how they deliver value to clients and communities.

What major adjustments should a business consider this year, in the context of local market competition and worldwide challenges?

Businesses in Romania should prioritize agility and resilience to navigate both local market competition and global uncertainties. In the face of economic pressures, rising costs, and talent shortages, companies must focus on optimizing operations through digital transformation, streamlining processes, and leveraging automation to improve efficiency and reduce expenses.

Locally, staying competitive means adapting to evolving customer demands and delivering personalized, high-quality experiences while addressing pricing sensitivity. Moreover, investing in workforce development—through reskilling programs and fostering a culture of innovation—will be essential to meet the rapidly changing dynamics of the market and remain ahead of competitors.

What leadership aspects are you carrying into 2025?
In 2025, I’m focused on blending innovation with a genuine human connection in leadership. My approach revolves around adaptability, being agile in responding to market shifts while prioritizing people.

Transparency and authenticity are key for me, especially as we navigate technological transformations. We’re moving away from traditional hierarchies and embracing collaborative decision-making, which I believe will fuel innovation and lead to more engaged teams.

People and Sustainability

What steps is your company taking to align with the sustainability goals in 2025?

We are deeply committed to aligning with global sustainability goals in 2025 and beyond. Our approach focuses on integrating sustainability into both our internal operations and the services we offer our clients.

One of the key steps we’re taking is reducing our carbon footprint through energy-efficient technologies and sustainable practices across our offices. We’re also leveraging our expertise to support clients in their own sustainability journeys by helping them adopt green technologies and build sustainable business models.

Also, we continue to invest in education, focusing on developing digital and professional skills for young talent. Accenture has established three Accenture Student Labs: one at “George Emil Palade” University in Târgu Mureș, one at the Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE), and one at the University of Bucharest’s Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literatures. These Labs offer hands-on training in digital and emerging technologies. The Târgu Mureș lab focuses on AI and automation in healthcare, ASE’s lab specializes in business technology and digital transformation, while the University of Bucharest lab explores AI-driven translation and digital communication tools.

Other initiatives include Accenture Academy, which offers courses in robotics, IoT, cloud, AI, and digital engineering; Digital Skills Academy, developed with Teach for Romania and Junior Achievement Romania, which trained over 1,000 students in 2024; and internship programs, the most notable focusing on digitalizing engineering and manufacturing through AR/VR, cloud, and AI. These programs prepare young people for the evolving digital world and careers in high-tech industries.

How do you engage people in your teams to ensure long-term sustainability in your operations?

At Accenture, we prioritize psychological safety to ensure long-term sustainability in our operations. We’ve implemented the “What If?” program, providing over 20 hours of emotional well-being training to 4,000+ employees, and actively use digital platforms for continuous feedback.

By fostering an environment where employees feel safe to take risks and express themselves, we encourage creativity, collaboration, and innovation. Leadership development is key, with a focus on empathy and effective communication. This approach strengthens our teams, supports their well-being, and aligns with our sustainability goals for the future.

Which are the main aspects to be considered in 2025 in terms of DEI and ESG?

In 2025, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) will continue to shape how organizations operate, with a strong focus on transparency, sustainability, and social impact. At Accenture, we remain committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives drive innovation and collaboration.
Our ESG efforts prioritize sustainable business practices and social well-being, ensuring responsible leadership and measurable progress. By integrating these principles, we aim to create long-term value for our people, clients, and communities.

What are the priorities for nurturing talent and building a resilient workforce this year?

Our talent focus for 2025 centers on three key elements. First, we’re embedding AI competency across all roles through personalized learning paths that blend technical and human skills.

Second, we’re strengthening leadership development through enhanced mentorship programs and cross-functional exposure.
Finally, we’re prioritizing mental wellbeing and flexibility while deepening our university partnerships to ensure a robust talent pipeline. This integrated approach helps us build not just technical capabilities, but true organizational resilience.

Innovation and Digital Transformation

What role does innovation play in the company’s business strategy for this year? In what kind of business aspects should be more integrated?

Innovation is central to our 2025 strategy, particularly in how we’re integrating generative AI across our service lines. We’re focused on scaling AI-powered solutions that enhance operational efficiency while creating new value streams for our clients. In consulting services, we’re embedding AI to accelerate market analysis and strategy development. Our technology delivery is being transformed through intelligent automation and advanced analytics.

The key focus is integrating innovation into client-facing operations, but we’re also applying innovative approaches to internal processes, using AI to streamline project management and resource allocation.

What emerging technologies are you planning to leverage for business growth this year? What about AI, how it is anticipated to reshape the business this year?

This year, Accenture is focusing on several emerging technologies to fuel business growth, with a particular emphasis on Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation, and advanced data analytics. AI will play a transformative role in our operations and client services.

By integrating AI into business processes, we are enhancing decision-making, personalizing customer experiences, and optimizing operational efficiencies. Additionally, AI will drive innovation in industries like healthcare, finance, and supply chain by providing more intelligent and data-driven solutions. This will help us to stay ahead of the competition and deliver greater value to our clients.

Looking Ahead

In 2025, my power words are Resilience, Empathy, Innovation, and Collaboration.

Resilience is about adapting and thriving amidst change. Empathy strengthens connections and promotes well-being in both business and personal life. Innovation fuels growth, encouraging bold ideas and creative solutions. Finally, Collaboration enhances collective success, as teamwork drives impactful results.

These principles will guide us through the year, shaping how we navigate challenges and seizing opportunities for growth.