What does it take to completely transform HR operations for 400,000 employees across dozens of countries? Capgemini’s executive VP of HR transformation reveals the strategies, challenges, and surprising lessons from a four-year journey that went far beyond just implementing new software.
In this exclusive interview from SAP Connect Las Vegas, Carolina Molnar pulls back the curtain on one of the largest HR transformations in recent corporate history. The project wasn’t simply a technology deployment, it fundamentally reshaped how the global professional services giant manages its entire workforce.
Watch this video to discover the critical decisions that made or broke different phases of the implementation, from choosing which modules to deploy first to determining when to involve business stakeholders. Molnar shares candid insights about what worked, what didn’t, and what she would do differently if starting over.
What you’ll learn from this conversation
The video explores the full spectrum of considerations for enterprise-scale HR transformation. You’ll hear about the strategic rationale behind Capgemini’s technology selection and how it aligned with broader enterprise transformation initiatives across finance and procurement.
Molnar reveals the company’s approach to one of the most challenging aspects of global deployments: balancing standardization with localization. The philosophy they adopted, and the specific criteria they used to decide when to customize. It offers a replicable framework for other organizations facing similar decisions.
Change management receives significant attention, with detailed discussion of how Capgemini invested in helping different regions adapt while maintaining global consistency. The conversation includes specific examples of how the team handled countries with complex labor regulations and workers councils.
Key topics covered
- The complete scope of organizational redesign beyond technology implementation
- Strategic decisions about module sequencing and timing
- How to structure teams for successful HR-IT collaboration
- The role of AI in modern HR systems and future enhancement plans
- Balancing automation with human empathy for sensitive employee matters
- Governance strategies to protect transformation investments long-term
- The single biggest lesson learned about stakeholder engagement timing
Why this matters for HR and IT leaders
Whether you’re planning a similar transformation or supporting one already underway, this conversation offers practical insights rarely shared publicly. Molnar discusses the importance of dual sponsorship from both HR and IT leadership, the investment required for effective change management, and how to make strategic timing decisions about emerging technologies like AI.
The interview also addresses the human side of transformation. From ensuring employees can navigate new systems intuitively to maintaining appropriate empathy in automated processes. You’ll learn how Capgemini is now building on its solid foundation with AI-powered career development tools and talent intelligence capabilities.
Most valuable may be Molnar’s reflection on what she would do differently: the critical importance of involving business leaders early in driving cultural change, not just implementing HR processes. This insight alone could save organizations significant challenges during their own transformation journeys.
Press play to hear the complete story of how Capgemini executed one of the most ambitious HR transformations in the enterprise technology space.