The HR Technology Awards 2024 are getting closer! We’re excited to introduce our esteemed panel of judges, including Thomas Mulder, CHRO and member of the Executive Committee at VodafoneZiggo. With his extensive experience in HR and an understanding of the evolving challenges in the workplace, Thomas brings a fresh perspective to this year’s jury. Here, he shares his thoughts on the evolving role of HR, the importance of innovation, and what he hopes to contribute to the awards process.
This is your first time as a jury member for the HR Technology Awards. What made you want to join the jury this year?
“Yes, I believe that if you look at the developments over the past few years, the role of HR within companies has expanded significantly. This is due to a range of social issues such as well-being, psychological safety, health, the impact of the COVID crisis, and the evolving ways of working, including the influence of AI. There are also cultural challenges within companies, often linked to global instability, as well as labor market shortages and the need for increased productivity—especially in the Netherlands, which was in the news again just this morning.
And, of course, there’s the critical need to ensure that people who are distanced from the labor market find their place within companies, promoting inclusivity. These challenges are increasingly on the agenda of corporate life, and more specifically, on the HR agenda. HR can address these issues more effectively through technological innovations, which provide better data insights and more efficient processes. In addition to enhancing the employee experience, these advancements enable us to offer more sustainable value propositions for our employees. The pace of these developments is accelerating, so it’s vital for those of us in this field to stay engaged and play a part in them.
You can’t always compare these developments directly. They can be quite unique across different dimensions, so it’s good to recognize that and have several awards to acknowledge the diversity of innovation. That’s why an awards ceremony like this is so important—it helps to spotlight the initiatives that everyone should know about. It’s crucial that the market is aware of them.”
Have you noticed any particular trends or innovations in HR tech over the past year that have stood out to you?
“Yes, I’m particularly fascinated by the integration of AI into existing platforms and technologies. I’m very curious to see how the nominated participants are leveraging AI in their projects.”
Can you tell me more about the evaluation process for the nominees? What are the key criteria for you when judging a project or product?
“The judging process involves an incredibly strong jury made up of experienced HR professionals. I learn a lot from how my colleagues evaluate the candidates, sharing their opinions and discussing them. As a jury member, I focus on the concrete business impact of the initiatives. Ultimately, all HR initiatives aim to support and strengthen the company, not just to achieve theoretical HR perfection. It’s about the tangible results we can achieve with our colleagues in the business, and that’s what I look at closely.”
Do you have any specific expectations for the second edition of the HR Technology Awards
“As I mentioned earlier, I expect a lot of focus on AI, particularly in terms of gaining insights and making better decisions. However, I generally approach this process with an open mind, so I’m very curious to see what the nominees will bring forward.
I hope to learn a lot from this experience and contribute by providing valuable feedback to the participants. I also want to help spotlight strong initiatives in the AI field. In addition to giving, I hope to gain something from this process—new insights and methodologies, for example. I’m also looking forward to meeting and connecting with passionate professionals in our field.”
SuccessDay is excited about the upcoming HR Technology Awards 2024 and eagerly anticipate the new innovations and developments that will be showcased this year. A special welcome to Thomas!
