By: Pakorn - Talent Management Associate - L&D

Welcome to the second edition of the 2024 learning and development post.

My name is Pakorn (Bas). I work with the L&D team to support our employees with the necessary skills needed for their career growth. Previously, the L&D team published a blog post that detailed our continuous dedication to a learning culture and initiatives designed to empower our leadership teams. In this blog post, I will take you through some of the initiatives led by our team to continue the trajectory of learning that has become a cornerstone for both organizational excellence and individual growth at Opn.

Embracing a Learning Culture: A Path to Success

In today's business landscape, the ability to adapt is paramount for achieving success and learning is essential to keep up with the rapid changes in the industry. At Opn, our journey towards excellence begins with a firm commitment to learning and development. We believe that every member of our team plays a pivotal role in our collective success. By nurturing a culture that prioritizes continuous learning and keeping our leaders within the realm of self-development, we empower our employees to thrive in their respective jobs. As a result of this, we are proud to have introduced and provided comprehensive development initiatives in both technical and interpersonal skills across departments. Some of these initiatives include:

• Individual Development Plans (IDPs), where talents from different teams share interests and knowledge of expertise with others from different teams for personal and professional skill development

• Monthly Learning Tables, where internal talents lead discussions on diverse topics of expertise

• A Mentorship Program designed to consolidate manager-subordinate relationships

Unlocking Potential with Individual Development Plans (IDPs)

Central to our commitment to learning is the implementation of Individual Development Plans (IDPs). These personalized roadmaps serve as guiding lights for our employees, outlining their career aspirations, strengths, areas for growth, and actionable steps to achieve their goals. IDPs not only align individual objectives with organizational goals but also provide a clear pathway for professional development.

At Opn, we provide tailored individual development plans (IDPs) supported by managers’ recommendations and regular HR check-ins. Employees also have access to a variety of online courses, workshops, and seminars to supplement their skill development efforts. This holistic approach ensures comprehensive support for employees to thrive and advance their careers at Opn.

The IDP evolves with the employee and the company, with the L&D department continually assessing its impact using several measurable key indicators to ensure the relevance and effectiveness of this initiative is maintained. For example, to facilitate this scheme, employees would share areas of interest and development with their managers. The managers then notify and share these interests with the L&D department to help establish the learning process.

IDP benefits both the company and the employees. Some of the benefits include:

• Encourages cross-functional team collaboration and fosters familiarity among team members, promoting not only professional growth but also friendship and attachment

• Increases employee engagement, making team members feel valued, involved, and consulted by other teams

• Enhances self-development, demonstrating the company's support for employees' career growth

• Promotes a sense of satisfaction and commitment among team members, fostering a normative commitment to the company as a reward for its support

Setting the Table for All

The Learning Table is one of the initiatives by the L&D team for continuous learning and growth in 2024, allowing all Opn employees to listen to and learn from high-caliber leaders. The platform will cover a full range of topics within organizational behavior and payment business. This initiative is designed to sharpen the power skills and gain additional industry and product knowledge. The frequency of these talks is one session per month which usually lasts about 60 minutes.

To facilitate this initiative, the L&D team partners with the designated instructor or leader to create insightful slides which will be shared with the employees during the session. After the session, the L&D team sends out surveys and collects feedback from the participants that would later be used to work on areas of improvement. It is important to indicate that not only are leaders entitled to utilize this platform, but we also encourage other non-leadership team members to participate in the learning table as long as they are comfortable sharing areas of their expertise.

Reinforcing Our Commitment by Empowering Our Mentors

At Opn, our dedication to learning is unwavering. We recognize that the journey towards excellence is a never-ending process, and we are committed to efforts by providing our employees with the resources and support they need to succeed. From comprehensive training programs to mentorship opportunities, we spare no effort in cultivating an environment where learning is not just encouraged but celebrated.

For example, we recently introduced a mentorship program in which experienced professionals provide guidance and support to new employees regarding their work and career development. This initiative is also designed to provide opportunities for managers and subordinates to boost leader-follower relationships. Research indicates that mentorship programs foster attachment between the team and manager and commitment to the company.

These outcomes, in turn, lead to job satisfaction and improved job performance. For example, our junior marketing team members have greatly benefited from this initiative, particularly when paired with their senior counterparts. Through regular meetings and guidance, they were able to gain valuable insights and confidence in their roles. This personalized support not only accelerated their growth but also fostered a sense of belonging and collaboration within the team. Our investment in mentorship programs and other learning resources underscores our unwavering commitment to nurturing talent and fostering a culture of continuous improvement at Opn.

The Ripple Effect: Benefits for All

The impact of a robust learning culture extends far beyond individual growth. By focusing on the development of our employees, we create a ripple effect that resonates throughout the organization. Enhanced skills, increased engagement, and a deeper sense of purpose are just some of the benefits we gain from our commitment to learning.

For example, a team member from our engineering team completed a coding boot camp sponsored by the company with their manager's support. Through this learning initiative, the employee not only improved their technical skills but also became more engaged and motivated at work. This newfound enthusiasm and expertise inspired other team members to embark on their learning journeys. Consequently, the department experienced increased energy, creativity, and productivity, showcasing the significant impact of Opn's learning culture.

Conclusion: Charting the Course for Success

Our dedication to continuous learning is evident through our comprehensive training programs, personalized individual development plans (IDPs), learning tables, and mentorship programs. These efforts empower our employees to unleash their full potential and contribute to organizational excellence. Our learning culture’s positive impacts extend beyond individual growth, resonating throughout the entire organization. From heightened skills to increased engagement and a deeper sense of purpose. The benefits are undeniable through inspiring success stories from our team members that showcase the transformative influence of our learning culture.

As we move forward, we invite potential candidates to join us on this journey of growth and innovation. Opn offers more than just a job—it offers a transformative experience. Explore career opportunities at Opn and discover how you can become part of a company that values learning, innovation, and growth.