Raluca Romanu, General Manager, Bosch Service Solutions Timișoara: We believe in the perfect synergy between human expertise and technology

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 Romanu, General Manager, Bosch Service Solutions Timisoara about the AI and technology impact in the work process and approach, the evolution of people and leadership in automotive industry, the role of the organizational culture, among others.

Find below the insights:

Strategic vision and industry evolution

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

The landscape of digital services is evolving rapidly and in 2025, we expect several key trends to shape the industry. Automation, digitalization and AI will continue to redefine the industry, driving efficiency, agility, and innovation. Businesses are increasingly adopting AI-driven automation to optimize processes, reduce manual effort, and enhance customer interactions.

At Bosch Service Solutions in Timișoara, we focus on seamless process automation, integrating intelligent AI solutions that improve both operational performance and user experience. The combination of AI-powered tools, robotic process automation (RPA) and digital workflows will allow companies to work smarter and faster.

Digitalization is also transforming the way services are delivered. From cloud-based solutions to AI-driven decision-making, businesses must embrace new technologies to stay competitive.

We believe in the perfect synergy between human expertise and technology. AI and automation will enhance, not replace, human talent. Our goal is to create an environment where innovation and people thrive together, driving progress for both our customers and our employees.

As we move forward, our mission remains clear: to innovate, optimize, and provide intelligent solutions that help our clients stay ahead in a rapidly evolving digital world.

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

2025 is shaping up to be a dynamic and unpredictable year, requiring businesses to prioritize resilience, adaptability and strategic agility. With economic uncertainties, shifting market demands, and evolving global challenges, organizations must build a foundation that allows them to respond swiftly and effectively to change.

One of the key adjustments businesses should consider is fostering a more flexible operational model. Companies must be prepared to adapt quickly to changing market conditions, whether that means adjusting business strategies, improving internal processes or making data-driven decisions to navigate uncertainties.

Equally important is strengthening organizational resilience. Businesses should focus on cultivating a workforce that is adaptable and equipped with the skills needed to navigate change. Investing in leadership development, fostering a culture of continuous learning, and leveraging data-driven insights for proactive decision-making will help companies weather uncertainties and seize emerging opportunities.

While challenges persist, they also create opportunities for businesses to redefine their strategies, embrace innovation, and build long-term sustainability. Those who remain flexible, proactive and open to transformation will not only navigate uncertainty successfully but also emerge stronger in a rapidly evolving market landscape.

What leadership aspects are you carrying into 2025?

My focus as a leader remains on adaptability, resilience and fostering a culture of trust and collaboration. In an ever-changing business landscape, I believe that strong leadership is about more than just setting objectives – it’s about empowering teams, navigating uncertainty with confidence and turning challenges into opportunities.

One key aspect we will continue to prioritize is balancing strategic vision with day-to-day realities. It’s essential to ensure that global objectives are translated into clear, actionable steps that make sense for our teams. This means staying flexible, listening to different perspectives and making adjustments when necessary.

At the same time, we believe courage is fundamental to leadership. We don’t always have all the answers, but we need to step forward, embrace challenges and make bold decisions that drive progress. Some of the most valuable lessons come from difficult moments and I see them as opportunities for both personal and professional growth.

Building trust and fostering collaboration will continue to be at the core of my leadership approach. A strong team thrives when people feel empowered to contribute, take initiative and innovate. We benefit from diverse perspectives: those who are focused on the future and those who improve what we do today. The real value comes from bringing these viewpoints together.

Ultimately, as I look ahead to 2025, my goal is to lead with clarity, empathy and a strong commitment to continuous learning. It’s about creating an environment where people feel supported and inspired to reach their full potential, while we collectively navigate the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

Sustainability approach

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

At Bosch, sustainability is a core value that we embrace in every aspect of our business. As we move into 2025, we are reinforcing our commitment to minimizing the environmental impact of our activities through a comprehensive sustainability strategy aligned with Bosch Group’s goals. This year, we are particularly focused on balancing the economic, environmental and social dimensions of our operations, ensuring that our business practices contribute positively to both people and the planet.

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 a cornerstone of our business strategy, and this year, we are reinforcing our commitment to digitalization and Industry 4.0 by expanding our AI-powered solutions portfolio. Our approach is twofold: enhancing our software services to drive efficiency and automation for our clients, while simultaneously investing in the development of proprietary products that address specific market needs.

We see innovation as essential not only in technology development but also in optimizing internal processes, improving customer experience and fostering new business models. By integrating AI, data analytics, and automation more deeply across all business aspects, we aim to create smarter, more agile and more sustainable solutions.

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?

Bosch is committed to leveraging emerging technologies to enhance business growth and operational efficiency. AI, intelligent software, and digital services are at the core of our strategy, driving innovation across multiple areas.

AI is transforming the way we operate, from optimizing internal processes to delivering more intelligent and responsive solutions. By integrating AI into automation, predictive analytics, and decision-making, we improve productivity, reduce inefficiencies, and create smarter, data-driven services that enhance customer experiences. Whether it’s automating repetitive tasks, refining data analysis, or improving service personalization, AI is a key enabler of our digital transformation.

As digitalization accelerates, we are focusing on scalable, AI-powered solutions that not only streamline workflows but also adapt to the evolving needs of businesses and customers. Our goal is to combine cutting-edge technology with human expertise, ensuring that our solutions remain efficient, reliable and future-ready. By continuously integrating AI-driven advancements, we are strengthening our position as a leader in intelligent service solutions, creating value for both our clients and the industries we support.

People – the core of evolution

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

At Bosch Service Solutions, nurturing talent and building a resilient workforce are key priorities for 2025. We are committed to investing in professional development initiatives and growth opportunities for our employees to ensure they remain competitive and adaptable in a rapidly evolving business environment. At the same time, we are dedicated to ensuring continuous learning opportunities for our employees within the company.

Our workforce is highly educated, with 98% of employees holding university degrees and we take pride in offering development opportunities that align with both business needs and employees’ career growth. We believe that career development is key to building resilience and adaptability in an evolving business landscape. That’s why we invest in a structured Career Development Program designed to provide employees with clear career paths, continuous learning opportunities and personalized support. This program combines individual learning, one-on-one and group coaching, on-the-job learning and consulting to ensure professional growth and transparency in career progression.

Furthermore, we have established strong partnerships with local universities in Timișoara, such as the West University and Politehnica University, where we continue to collaborate on various initiatives. Bosch actively contributes to enhancing the educational experience because we believe that by strengthening the connection between the academic environment and business, we can help foster the next generation of skilled professionals. We maintain a close relationship with students by participating in job fairs such as Career Days by UPT, organized by Politehnica University of Timișoara, where we engage with them and offer opportunities for internships and full-time positions.

Additionally, we have established the Bosch Corner at the Faculty of Economic Sciences within the West University of Timișoara – a dedicated space designed to foster collaboration and provide valuable resources for students in business and engineering fields.

Our collaboration with Politehnica University extends to Formula Student by UPT, where we have supported the development of a Formula car designed by UPT students. To further showcase their engineering expertise, we hosted an event at our location, giving attendees the opportunity to explore the fully regulated Formula car, interact with the student team, and gain insights from their presentations.

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