Building Community at Mondelēz European Business Services Center

Friday, December 6, 2024

Please introduce yourself and your role at Mondelēz International.

My name is Kristina Hulstijn, and I am the Site Experience Lead at Mondelēz European Business Services Centre (EBSC) in Bratislava. Within my role, I am responsible for our internal communication, coordination of events and the site calendar, enhancement of our employer branding, and overall well-being. This includes supporting the site leadership team in realizing our vision while working closely with different teams across our office. I aim to ensure smooth site operation, foster a positive workplace environment, and drive employee engagement by focusing on these areas.

How would you describe your career path?

During my university years, I found my passion in organizing various events, which gave me valuable experience in project management and coordination. After a couple of years working in the public and NGO sector, I moved to London to broaden my horizons and gain international work experience. There, I began my career in a similar role at an FMCG company, where I managed internal events and communications and collaborated with the leadership team. These experiences led me to my current role as a Site Experience Lead, where I continue to apply these skills and learn new ones.

How would you describe Mondelēz International’s culture?

Our company culture is very friendly, driven, and nurturing. It's a place where people genuinely care about each other and are supportive, which creates a strong sense of community. There’s a strong drive to achieve goals and continuously improve, which keeps the team motivated. A lot of colleagues have been here for many years, which speaks to the loyalty and satisfaction people feel working here. In my experience, I’ve found the environment very welcoming, and it’s a place where I can grow professionally and personally.

What are the most critical challenges/potentials you have identified during your journey at Mondelēz International - EBSC Digital Park as Site Experience Lead, and how have you faced these challenges?

The most significant challenges I face are the lack of visible employer branding, the need for greater cross-functional collaboration, and the complexities of our current office rightsizing project. With various teams working in silos across functions, it can be challenging to build a cohesive workplace culture where everyone feels connected to our brand and each other. However, our rightsizing project is a perfect opportunity to tackle all these.

First, we're making our brand more visibly present in the workplace. By integrating our branding throughout the office, including showcasing our products on-site, we create an environment that reminds everyone of our shared purpose: empowering people to snack right. Additionally, with the office rightsizing and all employees moving onto one floor, we’ve gained more opportunities to increase interaction and collaboration across departments. These changes encourage employees to feel connected, not just to their team, but to the company, reinforcing our brand presence and cultivating a sense of community and shared mission. This is a valuable opportunity to drive engagement and build a more unified workplace culture.

If you should pinpoint the top activities/initiatives at MDLZ Digital Park, which would you highlight?

Our office has many well-established activities that help foster engagement, community, and a sense of identity. I enjoy our quarterly site townhalls, where we bring everyone together to share relevant updates about our Bratislava office, our brands, and the work being done by our site pillars. These pillars focus on critical areas like employee engagement and recognition, growth, and strengthening our company identity, ensuring everyone feels informed and aligned with our goals.

Another tradition I love is serving cabbage soup before Christmas. It’s something simple but meaningful, and it has become a tradition that everyone looks forward to every year. Traditions like this bring people together and create a sense of belonging that goes beyond daily work.

What’s the most significant activity you are proud of?

One of the activities I enjoyed organizing the most was our 'Health Month,' a series of events and workshops focused on promoting physical and mental well-being. During Health Month, we hosted various activities, including workshops on mental health and burnout, healthy posture, and wellness tips.

We also offered on-site health checks with physicians, allowing employees to assess their health and receive expert advice. What made this event special was that it directly responded to employee feedback. We had noticed a growing interest in health and wellness topics, so this initiative aligned with what our employees were looking for. I loved seeing how engaged and appreciative everyone was. The feedback was very positive and a great example of how listening to employees can lead to meaningful and impactful initiatives.

What is your message for those building a career in an area similar to yours?

Work in this area is never boring; every day, you encounter new tasks and challenges and cooperate with people from all spheres, whether within or outside the company. It's an excellent area for improving your communication and organizational skills and various soft skills associated with creating a positive collaborative environment. I would encourage you to be open-minded and embrace the variety this job brings - there is so much to learn from every new project, which will help you move forward and achieve your goals.