Revolutionizing HR: How Tommy Eriksson’s Evity is Setting New Standards in Tech-Driven Human Resources Management

In this episode of the Bright Founders Talk podcast, we delve into the evolving world of staffing and recruitment with Tommy Eriksson, CEO of Evity. Drawing on his extensive leadership experience, Tommy highlights the importance of a management approach focused on listening, supporting, and guiding employees toward their professional growth.

Tommy reflects on how his journey from aspiring snowboarder in Sweden to CEO has shaped his diverse and ambitious career, offering insights into leadership and personal growth.

Delving into his academic background, Tommy highlights the practical application of his studies in HR and Business Administration, which equipped him with essential skills for the business world. Engaging with Tommy's insights offers listeners a unique perspective on the interplay between personal interests and professional achievements, setting the stage for a compelling discussion on leadership in today’s fast-paced business environment.

Tommy Eriksson's Journey of Listening and Leading

Tommy Erickson opens up about his unique journey from a potential snowboarding career to steering a top staffing and recruitment firm. He credits his success to a management philosophy centered on understanding and advocating for employee needs. "A great manager listens," Tommy states, emphasizing that tailoring leadership to individual employee situations is key to effective management. This approach has not only shaped his leadership style but also his personal life, where he finds solace in the greens of golf courses, a hobby that keeps him centered.

Delving into his past, Tommy reminisces about his youthful aspirations and his educational path, which significantly molded his career. Starting with studies in HR before moving to Business Administration, he gained a nuanced understanding of the workplace, turning the 'black and white' into a spectrum of possibilities. This educational journey was peppered with real-world interactions, thanks to entrepreneurial programs that linked academics with industry practices, preparing him for the practical challenges of business leadership.

Tommy's narrative takes a personal turn as he discusses the influence of his entrepreneurial parents, who manufacture car utilities. This backdrop of creativity and business acumen was pivotal in shaping his aspirations. He reflects on the beginning of his career in a Swedish municipality, where he was instrumental in fostering business growth and setting up incubators to support local entrepreneurs. These experiences, Tommy shares, were crucial in igniting his desire to launch his own business, leading to the founding of his staffing agency, which now serves municipalities across Sweden. His story is a testament to the impact of a supportive environment and the power of listening—both at home and in the workplace.

Sparking Innovation in Sweden: Tommy's Blueprint for Regional Entrepreneurship

Tommy Eriksson delves into the art of fostering entrepreneurial spirits in less prominent regions, a topic he’s passionate about. According to Tommy, the first step is assessing local industries and identifying gaps that new businesses could fill, from tourism to tech startups. "We looked at what we had and asked how we could support it to grow," he explains, highlighting the role of municipalities in creating a supportive ecosystem for burgeoning businesses. This blend of local insight and strategic support has been crucial in transforming dormant areas into hubs of innovation.

Expanding on the founding of his company, Cura Nord, Tommy reflects on the naming and mission behind it. "Cura is Latin for 'helping' and 'supporting,' and Nord means 'north'," he shares, illustrating his commitment to aiding northern municipalities in staffing critical social roles. This initiative not only addressed the acute shortage of social workers but also set a precedent for how businesses could directly contribute to societal well-being. Tommy's entrepreneurial journey is marked by a focus on meaningful, community-centered outcomes, which he continues to champion at Evity.

Tommy’s early experiences as CEO of Kiranul and later at Exner taught him valuable lessons about leadership and collaboration. He candidly discusses the challenges and learning curves of running a startup with friends, emphasizing the importance of clear decision-making structures. "We learned the hard way that having solid shareholder agreements and decision-making processes is crucial," he remarks. This wisdom, born from real-world trials, now guides his leadership style, balancing business acumen with a deep understanding of human dynamics in the workplace.

Navigating Tech and HR: Tommy Eriksson's Entrepreneurial Journey from AR Games to HR Solutions

Tommy Eriksson's entrepreneurial path is marked by a series of innovative ventures, ranging from augmented reality games to essential HR solutions. After his stint in the gaming industry where he led a startup focused on an AR treasure hunt app, Tommy faced significant challenges. "It was super hard... I was caught between needing to show sales for investors and needing funding to proceed," he recalls. This experience taught him the harsh realities of aligning product development with market demands, providing him with invaluable insights into the startup ecosystem.

Transitioning from the unpredictable world of gaming to the more structured realm of HR technology, Tommy didn't slow down. The shift came abruptly as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted his AR project, leading him to reassess his career direction. Drawing on his background in HR, Tommy noticed a gap in the market for tech solutions catering to small and mid-sized companies. This realization spurred him into action, quickly conceptualizing a new venture aimed at improving HR processes through technology. "I saw a need and knew I had to act on it," Tommy states, reflecting his proactive approach to business opportunities.

The launch of his latest venture, Evity, came from this blend of opportunity and insight. By focusing on the HR needs of tech companies, Tommy and his co-founder developed a product that streamlined the onboarding and management of employees, resonating deeply with the market. In a matter of weeks, they secured pilot customers eager for innovative HR solutions. Tommy's journey underscores a key entrepreneurial lesson: adaptability and understanding market needs are crucial for success. "Engaging directly with CEOs and HR managers helped us shape a product that truly addresses market demands," he notes, highlighting the strategic approach that has defined his career transitions.

Tommy Eriksson on Revolutionizing HR through Tech: A Seamless Integration for Tomorrow’s Workplace

Tommy Eriksson is reshaping the way companies manage HR processes through advanced technology. With a focus on GDPR compliance and secure data management, Eriksson's platform promises a streamlined approach that maintains data integrity while easing the HR workflow. "We save everything you need for the lifecycle of your employees," Eriksson explains, emphasizing the platform's capability to consolidate HR operations into a single, secure location. This holistic approach not only enhances efficiency but also ensures compliance with stringent European data regulations.

One of the pivotal challenges Eriksson faced was securing early-stage funding, which was crucial for scaling his operations. By June 2022, with 20 pilot customers on board and a clear vision for the future, Eriksson successfully garnered support from angel investors and equity partners. This support was not just financial; it brought strategic partnerships that were instrumental in navigating the startup landscape. "Securing early funding was critical, and having investors who believed in our vision made a significant difference," he shares, highlighting the importance of aligned interests between a startup and its backers.

As Evity continues to grow, Eriksson envisions expanding its reach beyond Sweden, adapting the platform to meet international labor laws and HR practices. The system's robustness in handling sensitive operations like salary mapping—ensuring gender pay equity in compliance with local laws—exemplifies its potential for global scalability. Looking ahead, Eriksson is optimistic about bringing Evity's innovative solutions to a broader market, aiming to establish it as the go-to HR tool for small and mid-sized companies worldwide. "Our vision is clear: to make Evity a leader in HR technology, not just in Sweden but internationally," Eriksson concludes, setting the stage for a future where HR technology is synonymous with efficiency and compliance.

Andrew SheludenkovCEO at Temy

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