The digital era has brought about significant transformations across industries, and the insurance sector is no exception. As the world becomes more digitally connected, insurance companies must embrace innovation and evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of customers. One such company that has achieved this feat is Manulife.
Manulife’s successful digital transformation journey
Digital transformation is not just about technology but also about ensuring that personnel have the necessary skills and knowledge to operate effectively and efficiently in a digital-first environment. This requires companies to attract and retain high-skilled IT professionals and software engineers in an increasingly competitive market. Manulife recognized the need to upskill and reskill talent as it embarked on its digital transformation journey. Naveed Zahid, Associate Vice President of Engineering Transformation, was brought in to lead that effort in 2018. Zahid spearheaded Manulife’s efforts to build a culture of continuous learning that enabled the company to stay on the cutting edge of technological changes and maintain its competitive edge.
Manulife’s Culture of Continuous Learning
Having worked in the IT industry for over two decades, Zahid understands the importance of staying ahead of the curve. From day one, he was struck by Manulife’s passion for cultivating a culture of continuous learning. According to Zahid, the company’s unwavering commitment to learning and upskilling is a testament to its success in the digital age. To deliver on its commitment to continuous learning, Manulife has launched Manulife University, an educational and skills development program that offers tailored technical specialization programs designed to meet the needs of colleagues and the company. The program has been made flexible and is available for colleagues at any time and place, across all roles within the Global Technology function. Zahid designed the program to be a convenient learning experience for all colleagues.
Tailored and Flexible Learning Experience
The flexibility of Manulife University was one of the cornerstones of its success. The program was designed to be accessible, relevant, and tailored to the unique needs of each colleague. Manulife University offers on-demand content so colleagues can take courses at their convenience, as well as instructor-led and virtual instructor-led courses, giving the most effective way of learning to each person. Zahid wanted the university to be a place where colleagues can learn what they need at their pace, avoiding wasting time on training that does not apply to their work scope.
Digital transformation as a Collection of Ongoing Journeys
Digital transformation is not a one-track journey, but rather a collection of ongoing journeys. According to Zahid, companies must commit to nurturing a “commitment to learning” culture and continuously adapt to meet the ever-changing technological advancements. As such, Manulife University offers a platform for colleagues to evolve their skills with their respective roles as their career progresses.
Manulife’s success in its digital transformation journey is a testament to the company’s unwavering commitment to a culture of continuous learning. It aligns with the company’s goal of attracting and retaining highly skilled IT professionals and software engineers. The launch of Manulife University, supported by global partners like Pluralsight, underscores Manulife’s commitment to keeping pace with advances in technology and creating a future-ready workforce. With its efforts to foster a learning culture, Manulife is well-positioned for continued success in the digital era, and the lessons it has learned can serve as a model for other companies to follow.