“It’s about having those honest conversations early and often,
not throwing things over the fence and hoping they stick.”
As Change Manager for a major global organization, Sonja took the lead on a high-stakes HR transformation with the goal of unifying systems and standardizing processes across regions. This aligns well with her personal motivation to drive engagement in the workplace.
Let’s dive in!
What was the scope of the project?
“The client is implementing a new HR system to streamline processes and align them globally. They have grown significantly over the years, but – as with many companies – their digitalization and efficiency efforts were lagging. This project is about building a solid foundation – a platform that supports us to work more effectively across borders, and stay compliant with both local and global regulations.
This initiative touches every key process that impacts people: from onboarding and payroll to professional development.”
What was your role during the first five months?
“My role is Change Manager, with a focus entirely on the people side. My job is to ensure that everyone involved moves through each phase smoothly, while fostering engagement and keeping resistance low. So I started small, involving key project colleagues, and gradually expanded to include stakeholders across HR and country teams.
I’m there to keep everyone aligned, take care of communication and set up information points. It’s about making the transition feel as seamless as possible, so that when we go live, people can use the new system with minimal effort.”
How did you ensure people stayed engaged and aligned throughout the change process?
“By connecting with people! I maintained continuous check-ins and reached out directly to team members to ask: ‘How’s it going? What’s working well? What’s difficult? What do you find frustrating?’ I’m a firm believer that small observations can prevent big issues later. If I’d see two people exchanging looks or showing tension during an online meeting, my mind immediately goes, ‘something’s not right here.’ That’s my cue for a follow-up or an informal chat to address concerns early on.”
What were the main challenges you faced?
“The biggest challenge was finding the balance between the client’s pragmatic, action-oriented culture and the need for standardization and system implementation. In the construction sector, speed is essential to prevent business losses. This fast-paced, ever-changing environment sometimes conflicts with the structured approach required for compliance and efficiency. Managing these contrasting priorities – making sure the business could continue its quick responses while introducing necessary changes – was a significant challenge.”
How did you overcome these challenges and align the new system with business needs?
“As a change manager, your value is in being the bridge between those two. For me, open dialogue is always the answer. You don’t want a system that’s implemented without checking if it truly works for the business – otherwise, you end up with something nobody uses, or worse, that just creates more work. Right from the start, we involved representatives from the business and tested continuously, making sure it’s not just successful in Spain but also in Mozambique, for example. It’s about having those honest conversations early and often, not throwing things over the fence and hoping they stick.”
How did you experience the collaboration with SPRING TODAY?
“It was great! I’d actually never worked with a recruitment agency before, since my network and experience usually secure my next assignment before the current one ends. I reached out to Lisette because I found her vision and SPRING TODAY’s approach intriguing. She was very open and genuine, and throughout the project, she stayed involved in a way that showed real care for the project’s success and for me as a professional.”
Curious about how SPRING TODAY can support your next change project?
Or wondering how your unique skills as a change manager can shape impactful business transformations? Let’s get in touch.