After more than 70 years in business, Kelly continues to thrive in an industry defined by constant change. In conversation with Avature Founder and CEO Dimitri Boylan, Tim Pröhm explores how digital transformation in HR has become central to sustaining competitive advantage. Their discussion moves beyond tools and trends, focusing instead on mindset, collaboration and the discipline required to turn technology into lasting value.
5 key takeaways from Kelly’s HR innovator on digital transformation
- Digital transformation succeeds when business and IT operate as one, not as disconnected functions.
- Transformation is a journey, not a one-time initiative, requiring realistic timelines and phased value creation.
- Differentiation comes from how technology is used, not from technology itself.
- Flexibility and agility are essential in modern HR systems, as processes can no longer remain static.
- Emerging technologies like Generative AI must be approached responsibly, with a clear focus on real business impact.
Bridging Vision, Technology, and Reality
Pröhm’s perspective is shaped by experience on both sides of the equation: recruiting and technology. That dual lens has made one thing clear—digital transformation stalls when business leaders and IT teams speak different languages. At Kelly, the answer has been to formalize a bridge between the two through roles that combine business understanding with technical fluency. These connectors don’t just translate requirements; they help reimagine operating models, spotting opportunities where technology can replace complexity rather than add to it.
Equally important is patience. Pröhm is candid about the unrealistic expectations that often accompany transformation efforts. Efficiency gains don’t always appear in year one, and forcing everything into a single implementation can delay progress rather than accelerate it. What sustains Kelly’s momentum is a commitment to continuous improvement: adjusting configurations, experimenting with new use cases and staying flexible as customer and market needs evolve. In this framing, technology becomes a living system—one that supports differentiation precisely because it can change.
There is no static process that you hardcode into a system and then run for ten years. These times are over. You need to have flexibility, you need to be agile.”
Tim Pröhm,
Vice President of Digital Transformation, Kelly
Listen to the full episode to hear Tim Pröhm and Dimitri Boylan discuss what it really takes to build a sustainable competitive advantage through digital transformation.
