The visionary behind Smart People, Katarzyna Kwiatkowska, Founder and CEO of the company, brings a unique blend of strategic planning, interpersonal skills, and entrepreneurial spirit. With a strong track record of leadership and team management, she excels in high-pressure situations, driving solutions-focused results. With a proven track record of launching new products and services, I optimize operational efficiency and build high-performing teams.
Smart People helps businesses stay agile in uncertain markets by outsourcing functions and delivering expertly managed back-office solutions. By outsourcing with the company, customers can focus on their core operations while Smart People optimize their support functions, ensuring seamless execution and enhanced competitiveness.
Early Life And Educational Background
Katarzyna Kwiatkowska began her career in 1996 as a SAP consultant, specializing in implementing software solutions for Human Capital Management (HCM) processes. As her expertise grew, so did her responsibilities, and Katarzyna progressed to project management and team leadership roles, overseeing a team of SAP HCM consultants.
In 2007, Katarzyna Kwiatkowska was tasked with establishing the Polish subsidiary of a UK-based consultancy firm with British capital. The company focused on implementing SAP HCM software on the Polish market and delivering Application Management Services (AMS). Under her leadership, the company successfully introduced various implementations and products to the local market, achieving remarkable growth from zero to over 50 employees with in 5 years. The company’s success culminated in its acquisition by Zalaris ASA in 2017, a leading provider of payroll consulting and outsourcing services.
Katarzyna Kwiatkowska shares, “As Country Manager and Executive Vice President of Eastern Europe for 7 years, I led a leading sorting company, expanding services beyond Poland to multiple countries. I built global teams supporting Scandinavian and German customers, created new entities in Eastern and Central Europe, and delivered exceptional results. Delivering the impossible mission was my daily work.” – she is laughing. Finally, the Polish subsidiary counted over 200 people working for local and global customers.
Now, as Founder and Executive Officer of Smart People, I help companies ensure business continuity in resource management and mitigate risks of losing resources. My company provides tailored solutions, including niche competences search, team creation, and resource management, enabling executives and leaders to optimize their workforce and concentrate on their core business not for back office processes. Finally, we are not supplying the talents. We are assuring the competences in continuous way and measuring the work quality with the use of KPIs”
Regional Presence of Smart People
Katarzyna lets us know that Smart People revolutionize workforce solutions with their innovative “Team as a Service” model. They connect top professionals with businesses, delivering expert resources to drive success. Unlike traditional staffing agencies, they provide flexible team augmentation and continuous competence management.
“Our comprehensive approach includes optimizing customer sourcing processes, building dedicated teams, and ensuring uninterrupted process delivery. By partnering with us, businesses can focus on core operations while we handle talent acquisition, team management, and continuity, guaranteeing seamless execution and minimizing risks.” She adds.
On Being a Successful Leader
With a vision to empower companies and individuals alike, Katarzyna is committed to delivering innovative workforce solutions that foster growth, continuity, and success.
Katarzyna Kwiatkowska shares, “I’m currently focused on helping European and developed-country clients mitigate the pressing risks of resource scarcity and skills gaps. To address these challenges, I’m exploring expansion into the gig economy through Smart People.
By connecting Asia, Eastern Europe, Africa, and other regions with companies in the US, Australia, and Europe facing resource deficits, we can facilitate access to skilled workers, ensure business continuity, and provide meaningful employment opportunities. This innovative approach enables mutual benefits, supporting companies’ survival and growth while empowering individuals to thrive in today’s complex environment.”
Embracing Digital Transformation
Fast-paced digital transformations are redefining businesses across different industries. In this aspect, Katarzyna shares that driven by market changes and technological advancements, she has tailored Smart People’s services to address the growing demand for cloud transformation and back-office process optimization.
Katarzyna Kwiatkowska adds, “Focusing on education and talent acquisition, we connect businesses with experts possessing unique skills in cloud solutions, ERP systems, and hybrid technology integration. Our specialized resources help companies navigate complex cloud transformations, leveraging human expertise where AI capabilities are limited.”
Words Of Wisdom for Beginners
Addressing the aspiring professionals in Katarzyna’s field, she confirms that the most important thing is the idea and the value it can bring to people one cooperates with.
Katarzyna Kwiatkowska further mentions, “When establishing Smart People, I prioritized developing an idea that would bring value to all stakeholders, including customers, employees, coworkers, suppliers, and business partners. I sought talented individuals and explored how to leverage their skills to deliver market value.
Through ongoing verification, I refined my mission, vision, and values, ensuring alignment with my initial assumptions. This iterative process culminated in a cohesive market proposition. I recognize that a compelling idea is the cornerstone of a successful company, evolving into a clear vision, mission, strategy, and plan.” By staying true to these foundational principles, Smart People has successfully created a thriving ecosystem, fostering meaningful connections and delivering value to all parties involved.
Follow Katarzyna Kwiatkowska on LinkedIn.
Find Smart People on LinkedIn and visit their website http://smartpeople.com.pl/
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