Long before digital transformation became a headline topic, Vaclav Koranda was already questioning how HR should truly work. Becoming an HR Director at just 27 years old forced him to grow fast, reflect deeply, and learn what leadership really means in practice. Looking back, he says, “it was a mix of my boundless self-confidence and youthful imprudence.” But he is quick to credit the guidance that shaped him most. “My boss at the time was a remarkable person. We had a very open relationship, and he recognized my potential. He consistently coached me with kindness and wisdom, and that guidance helped me more than anything else.”
That early experience stayed with him. It shaped how he leads, how he listens, and how he questions assumptions that no longer serve people or organisations.
Leading HR Across Cultures and Industries
Having held senior HR roles across Europe and Asia, Vaclav has seen how globalisation has brought certain HR practices closer together. “Globalization and technological advancement are driving convergence across many HR practices, such as the adoption of HR technology, performance evaluation methods, and employer branding strategies.” Yet, he is clear that culture still matters deeply. “The underlying cultural logic and modes of implementation, for example, how feedback is delivered or the reasons behind promotion decisions, remain deeply anchored in regional paradigms.”
This awareness also comes from his time serving on the Sector Council for Information Technology and Telecommunications in the Czech Republic. That experience reinforced a lesson he learned early in his career. “Workforce shortages and imbalances between sectors cannot be effectively resolved by individual businesses alone. Meaningful progress requires alignment and coordinated effort across industry, government, and the education sector.”
Today, as Group HR leader at BSSB Furniture, Vaclav applies these insights in a very different environment. “It’s a great position to be in. My extensive experience allows me to solve most of their challenges, and it’s deeply rewarding to have the opportunity to elevate their HR function to a cutting-edge level.” At the same time, he remains curious. “I continue to learn new things almost every day, which is truly amazing.”
Reinventing HR Through Technology and Impact
Vaclav has long been fascinated by the relationship between humans and technology. He sees it as one of the most important forces shaping HR today. “The interaction between humans and technology is fundamentally reshaping HR and organizational performance, shifting from a supportive role to a strategic driver of competitive advantage.” For him, this transformation is not about replacing people. “This transformation is not about replacing people, but about creating a new, synergistic partnership.”
His book, HR Digital Transformation, reflects this thinking and highlights the risks many organisations overlook. He warns against common pitfalls, from lacking a clear strategy to “falling in love with technology.” As he explains, “new technologies create little value on their own if they don’t address existing or new business needs.”
The same realism guides his view on performance management. “We must recognize that performance management is not about scoring employees or placing them into categories.” Instead, he believes it should focus on “measuring the impact each employee has on the organization and finding ways to maximize that contribution.”
His work in academia and coaching reinforces this grounded perspective. “I see it as an opportunity to share my experience and knowledge with the younger generation.” What he brings, he says, is “a business perspective that is always somewhat different, practical and rooted in the real world.”
That desire to help people also led him to support job seekers through his book Get Your Dream Job and a free newsletter. “I was inspired to start this project during the COVID period, when I saw many people losing their jobs.” Drawing from his HR background, he offers what he calls “the view from the other side,” helping people understand how hiring decisions really work.
A Judge’s Perspective at the 2025–2026 HR Stars Awards Malaysia
As a judge for the 2025–2026 HR Stars Awards Malaysia, Vaclav brings the same clarity and critical thinking he applies to his work. He looks beyond polished presentations and focuses on substance. He is particularly interested in innovation that truly advances the profession, sharing that “I would love to see more advanced implementations of predictive analytics in HR,” noting that while still rare, their potential impact is significant.
Recognition has never softened his stance. “I value all the awards and accolades I have received, and I am truly grateful for each of them.” Still, he insists, “I don’t see myself as an institution but rather as a rebel.” He challenges ideas that look good on slides but fail in reality. “Too often, in the pursuit of ideas that look noble on paper or in PowerPoint but cannot succeed in real life, we end up harming employees and our businesses instead of helping them.”
For Vaclav, HR must remain grounded, courageous, and deeply human. That conviction continues to guide how he leads, writes, teaches, and now, how he judges excellence in HR.
