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Fanni Kadocsa

Revolutionizing People Analytics with Heart and Vision

I’m a new fan of Fanni, having met her virtually earlier this year when she reached out to say she enjoyed one of my LinkedIn pieces on cocooning. Her note to me about why she liked it and her sharing about her mother, who is my age, endeared her to me on the personal front. As we met and talked though, I became impressed with her work in AI and HR. For me, she is an emerging talent and I’m thrilled to be writing about her journey. It’s nothing short of inspiring.

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The Catalyst for Change

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With a strong background in economics and finance, Fanni's career took her from PWC to auditing roles at Xerox and Microsoft to becoming a CFO. But it was her pivot during maternity leave, at age 35, that truly marked the beginning of a revolutionary new direction. With a newborn at home, she needed an intellectually stimulating challenge. Always passionate about theoretical pursuits and having considered studying biology, Fanni turned to psychology, earning a BA in Psychology. This new interest led her to become a certified coach. However, she quickly realized that coaching was a saturated field in Hungary where she lives, especially for those over 40.

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Her professional path took another significant turn when her mother was diagnosed with cancer. Fanni needed to balance caring for her mother with her career aspirations. Drawing inspiration from her grandmother, a pioneering architect in 1911, and her own disruptive roles in corporations like Microsoft, Fanni decided to blend her finance expertise with a human-centric approach.

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A New Direction

 

Fanni's new venture is both innovative and deeply personal. She co-founded a company with an HR senior professional, becoming a cloud solution partner of Microsoft Viva, focusing on people analytics and compensation. Her mission is clear: to earn an independent living while maintaining work-life balance and connecting people data for business impact. Her target market includes companies in her time zone with at least 250 employees, especially those new to data utilization.

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She defines herself as an augmenter, meaning that she empowers HR teams' AI journey in three ways:

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1. Future-proof data for analytics - from data governance to predictive HR analytics including taking an AI inventory, risk assessment and bias audits for HR AI tech.

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2. Future-proof HR tech including HR upskilling in AI, defining relevant AI use cases for the HR domain, and facilitating the envisioning of an HR AI adoption roadmap, helping organizations make use of the technology they possess.

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3. HR strategy alignment work related to organization-wide AI adoption. This covers everything from assessing the impact of AI on job profiles and roles, up and reskilling, performance management, compensation, org design and even diversity.

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Advice for Successful Pivots

 

Fanni’s journey offers several key insights for those looking to make a successful career pivot:

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  1. Draw Inspiration from Personal History: Fanni's grandmother and mother were pivotal in shaping her drive and ambition. Recognize the influences in your life that inspire you to pursue new directions. In our discussions, we both acknowledged the importance of grandmothers, something I’ve heard from countless women. Our grandmothers being somewhat removed from our daily lives become a source of inspiration as well as additional nurturing.

  2. Combine Skills and Passions: Fanni blended her finance background with her love for psychology and people analytics. Look for ways to integrate your diverse skills and interests into a unique career path.

  3. Seek Support and Guidance: Fanni’s husband, who works at Microsoft, provides advice in general, while her coach helps keep her spirits up. Surround yourself with supportive individuals who believe in your vision.

  4. Embrace Market Education: Building clientele in a niche field like people analytics requires educating the market. Fanni understands that she needs to sell to CEOs in her region of the world, which isn't easy. Persistence and finding the right partners are crucial.

  5. Be Agile and Optimistic: Despite setbacks, including family losses and the challenges of entrepreneurship, Fanni remains agile and success-oriented. Adaptability and a positive outlook are vital in navigating career changes.

  6. Time Management: Fanni acknowledges the need to improve her time management skills - as do many of us. But, efficiently managing your time is essential for balancing entrepreneurial ventures with personal responsibilities including children and care for aging parents.

  7. Leverage Technology and Networking: Fanni uses tools like chatbots, YouTube ads, LinkedIn, and partnerships with Microsoft, EY and Fellowmind to advance her business. Utilize technology and build a strong professional network within each partnership to support your goals.

 

Conclusion

 

Fanni's story is a testament to the power of resilience, innovation, and the pursuit of meaningful work. Her journey from finance to people analytics, driven by personal challenges and a desire to make a significant impact, showcases the importance of integrating personal values with professional aspirations. Through her company, Fanni continues to revolutionize the field of people analytics, combining her expertise with a heartfelt mission to improve business outcomes. Her advice and experiences offer a valuable roadmap for anyone looking to pivot.

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