The adoption of new technologies and digital transformation is fraught with challenges, but also opportunities and the Group recognises that investing in innovative solutions not only boosts the efficiency of our HR management processes, but also strengthens interaction and communication with our employees.
The Companies have focused on preparing our people for an increasingly digital reality, particularly through training. One example is the global Digital Executive Education Programme (DEEP), in partnership with the Nova School of Business and Economics, the aim of which, since 2017, is to prepare our leaders to spearhead the digital transformation of our businesses through the development of key skills. To date, 190 employees have received training through DEEP.
In 2024 we also started an artificial intelligence (AI) training pilot project – Blow your Mind. This programme, which started by impacting 60 employees, aims to expand the use of AI in the Group, as it can leverage creative, innovative and efficient solutions to respond to the day-to-day challenges our Companies face.
People management solutions
The Hello JM project, focusing on the Group-wide implementation of a cutting-edge technological solution, aims to centralise and simplify internal HR processes. A significant milestone was reached in 2024 with the go-live of the first phase (Employee Central and Recruitment and Onboarding modules) in Portugal and Slovakia.
At the end of 2024, there were 62,747 active users (employees who logged in at least once in December 2024). The scale of implementation was recognised with the SAP SuccessFactors People Champion 2024 award.
Communication channels
We have internal communication channels that connect our more than 139,000 employees worldwide (Our JM) and locally (such as Por Nós in Portugal, Dla Nas in Poland, and Hablando Naranja in Colombia). In 2024, the four platforms saw 54.4 million visits. Hello JM also works as an internal communication channel for all employees in Portugal, Poland, Colombia and Slovakia.
Biedronka’s Dla Nas platform also has a chatbot and voicebot, aimed at ensuring agility and efficiency in responding to requests and clarifying HR processes, including social requests. In 2024, new features were introduced on the Intranet and in these AI tools, such as the ability for employees to submit complaints and make suggestions, and a discounts and protocols page. The chatbot and voicebot responded to 326,057 requests without the need for human interaction.
Radio Pingo Doce and Ara’s Hablando Naranja radio station continue to be an important resource for sharing information about the business in stores, with a total of 39 broadcasts in 2024.