AkzoNobel Global Business Services

Happy first day of spring! 🌷🌷🌷 The first day of spring marks the beginning of a season filled with renewal, growth, and vibrant colors. It's a perfect time to embrace new beginnings and bring fresh energy into our lives. To celebrate this wonderful occasion, we organized a surprise event in the office to bring smiles, joy, and color into our lives. We prepared several delightful surprises, including: • Beautiful daffodil seedlings • A variety of sprouts: cress, sunflower, beans, radishes, broccoli, and many more 🌱 We planted radish sprouts together using the sprouters available in the office. We welcomed spring with a touch of green and growth! 🌿 These surprises were available for everyone present in the office that day, and everyone was encouraged to help themselves and take some home as well. 🌼 Let's use opportunities like these to bring more energy and life into our office environment. Regularly participating in such events can make our workplace more enjoyable and motivate us to spend more time together in the office. You never know what surprises might be waiting for you! 😊 #SpringCelebration #OfficeLife #GreenGrowth #EmployeeEngagement #HappySpring

Reflecting on Our Inspiring Art Tour in Amsterdam! 🌟 Last week we had the pleasure of enjoying a guided tour through the recently opened “BEYOND THESE WALLS” art exhibition located within our own Amsterdam office!  The various works displayed are part of the AkzoNobel Art Foundation which focuses on investing in young artists and giving them a platform to showcase their works.  The exhibition unfolds into various ‘rooms’, which together form a single narrative about connection and shared experiences. Showcasing a diverse collection of artworks, from artworks acquired in the early years of the foundation and more recent acquisitions. Each piece telling its own unique story to discover the boundless possibilities of shared stories, where walls are transformed into windows onto new perspectives. 📸 Highlights: - Stunning paintings and sculptures - The stories behind the artworks and their creators - Understanding the investments in starting artists Fun fact: Artworks from the collection are displayed throughout all floors surrounding our employees daily. Do you happen to be in Amsterdam and would like to see? The art gallery on the ground floor is open to the public so you can visit for free or request a tour via artfoundation@akzonobel.com #ArtTour #BEYONDTHESEWALLS #Amsterdam #OfficeGallery #StartingArtists #CreativeCommunity #Inspiration

GBS Suzhou CSR Event: Tree Planting Day – Growing our Commitment to Sustainability   This weekend, GBS Suzhou demonstrated environmental stewardship in action! Over 60 colleagues and family members united at Suzhou Yangcheng Lake for our CSR initiative - a powerful blend of ecological action and team building that left lasting impacts both on our community bonds and the local ecosystem.   🌿 Three Pillars of Impact 🌿  ✅ Rooted in Collaboration : Interactive team-building activities sparked cross-departmental connections while reinforcing our shared sustainability values ✅ Educating for Change : Historical insights about Chinese Tree Planting Day and Dr. Sun Yat-sen's environmental legacy deepened our understanding of ecological preservation ✅ Living Legacy : 23 fragrant osmanthus saplings now thrive lakeside - natural air purifiers that will bloom for futures to come   Why This Matters By investing 300+ volunteer hours (👏), we're not just planting trees - we're cultivating: 🌍 A cleaner Yangcheng Lake ecosystem 🤝 Stronger community partnerships 💡 Environmental consciousness in future generations   Gratitude in Action To every individual who contributed time, energy, and heart to this mission – our deepest appreciation. Let’s continue the collective action to achieve! 

Women’s Day Celebration: Embracing the Radiance of Her Power and Unveiling Boundless Possibilities To celebrate the profound wisdom, unyielding courage, and steadfast dedication of women, GBS Suzhou had the esteemed privilege of hosting a captivating sharing event. We were delighted to gather four exceptional leaders – Our Site Lead Ling Zou, R2R RPDL Jennifer Ma, P2P Team Lead Yang Ling, and A2G Team Lead Lily Wang. These remarkable women shared their incredible journeys and inspiring tales, illuminating the paths of professional growth, breakthroughs, and the delicate art of balancing work and life. From navigating the complexities of professional challenges to nurturing personal growth, from cultivating leadership skills to finding harmony between work and life, each narrative served as a testament to the boundless power and enlightenment that resides within women. Their stories resonated with authenticity and heartfelt passion, leaving us all deeply inspired and igniting a spark within us. As we celebrate Women’s Day, it is important to recognize that women are not defined by labels. They are limitless beings capable of achieving greatness in all areas of life. We wish all women a joyous holiday and look forward to continuing our journey as a conduit for connecting ideas, fostering potential, and embracing the brilliance of Her Power together. #WomenPower

Reflecting on a Sweet Fat Thursday! We had an amazing time celebrating the Polish tradition of Fat Thursday (the last Thursday of the carnival period) in the GBS Warsaw office with delicious pączki (doughnuts)! 🎉🍩 As part of our 2025 engagement plan, this is one of the many office activities we have lined up. Events like these bring us closer together, fostering a sense of community and cultural appreciation. They provide a wonderful opportunity to connect, share, and enjoy moments of joy and togetherness. The office was filled with the delightful aroma of pączki in 8 different flavors, including salted caramel, rose, marmalade, pudding, pistachio, mango, blueberry, and cherry. There was something for everyone! We also enjoyed team bonding activities and even had a pączki-eating contest. Every now and then, a cheat day is essential for a balanced life. Thank you to everyone who joined us and made this celebration special. Let's continue to embrace and celebrate our diverse traditions! Did you know? To burn off the calories from one doughnuts, you need to: 🚶♀️ Brisk walk for 75 minutes 🧹 Vacuum for 50 minutes 🔥 Climb stairs for 12 minutes ⛸ Ice skate for 30 minutes 🤗 Hug for 60 minutes 🚗 Drive a car for 300 minutes 🍽 Wash dishes for 180 minutes Who knew burning off a doughnuts could be so diverse and fun..😄 #FatThursday #PolishTradition #GBSWarsaw #Community #CulturalCelebration #EngagementPlan2025 #WorkLifeBalance

🎉 Celebrating achievements and learning at GBS Mauá! 🌍✨ In 2024, we were proud to subsidize language courses for our GBS Mauá employees, through another AkzoNobel initiative, aimed at promoting the personal and professional growth of our team. 📚 A total of 60 students were divided into 9 classes: ✅ 6 English classes ✅ 2 Spanish classes ✅ 1 French class With the support of 4 teachers, the classes ranged from beginner to intermediate levels, offering opportunities for everyone to develop and connect with the world. 🌎✨ We are immensely happy to have contributed to this learning journey and want to thank all the participants for their dedication throughout the past year. 🔗 2024 was just the beginning of a path full of achievements, and we wish much success and commitment to the students of 2025. #Languages #CorporateEducation #AkzoNobel #GBSMauá #PersonalDevelopment #Learning

GBS, KL Celebrates Dual Occasions: Colour of the Year 2025 and Lunar Celebrations 🎊 🎉💃🪱 GBS, KL recently celebrated two significant occasions at our office: the unveiling of our Colour of the Year 2025, TRUE JOY, and the Lunar New Year, alongside all other functions in KL.The day began with an introduction to the Colour of the Year (COTY) and the announcement of the Best Dressed winners, who made a commendable effort to coordinate their attire with our theme color, TRUE JOY 😊 The Lunar New Year 2025 marks the arrival of the Wood Snake, a rare and meaningful combination that appears only once every 60 years. In Chinese culture, the snake symbolizes wisdom, adaptability, and prosperity. The year ahead encourages transformation, growth, and creative solutions to challenges. At GBS, KL, we are embracing these values in our workplace and processes, setting the stage for a remarkable year in 2025 🙏🙏🙌🏆🏆 Following these introductions, we were treated to a high-energy Lion Dance performance in celebration of the upcoming Lunar New Year. The vibrant sounds, colors, and dynamic acts of the performing group left everyone in awe and wishing for more acts 👏👏❤️ Next, the KL team gathered to enjoy “Yee Sang,” a prosperity toss where family and friends come together to toss a large plate of Yu Sheng—a salad of raw fish, fruits, and vegetables. This tradition is believed to bring luck, prosperity, and health for the year ahead. The higher the toss, the greater the prosperity and good fortune are believed to be bestowed 🙌🙌🏵️🏵️ The teams definitely tossed high with positivity and good intentions for AkzoNobel to reach great performance in 2025 🏆🏆 We concluded the celebrations with a sumptuous lunch featuring local cuisine, filled with laughter and bonding across our teams 💞💞 GBS, KL truly stands out as a Shared Service Center where diversity and culture are celebrated in our daily lives and making us a preferred workplace 🤗🤗 #winningtogether #oneteam #highdiversity #embracechange #agileworking #2025yearofsnake #proudpeople

🐍 🧧 Annual Ceremony GBS Suzhou - A Chinese New Year Tradition 🧧 🐍 GBS Suzhou recently held its Annual Ceremony on January 23rd as part of the Chinese New Year tradition, which proved to be a tremendous success! The occasion began with a grand entrance by our esteemed China Leadership Team, with an inspiring opening speech by Decorative Paints North Asia Director Karen Yin. Following this, each department leader presented their comprehensive annual summaries for 2024 and outlined their focal areas for 2025. It was an incredibly special event, and we were honored to have many distinguished guests and GBS employees present. What truly made the evening memorable were the exceptional performances by our colleagues. Our talented employees showcased their hidden talents, leaving everyone in attendance captivated. The stage was brimming with energy, creativity, and a profound sense of camaraderie that strengthened our bond. We are immensely grateful for the opportunity to gather and look forward to continued growth and prosperity together in the future!

🌟 Wellbeing Program Highlights at Warsaw GBS Office in 2024!🌟   At Warsaw GBS, we believe that the wellbeing of our employees is the cornerstone of our success. That's why we're excited to share the incredible initiatives we've implemented in 2024 to support the health, happiness, and productivity of our team.   Our Wellbeing Webinars series was a highlight, featuring engaging sessions on crucial topics like Mental Health, Self-Motivation, Effective Communication, and Emotional Intelligence. These webinars equipped our employees with practical tools to manage stress, stay motivated, communicate more effectively, and understand their own and others' emotions better. The positive feedback we received shows just how impactful these sessions were. 🧠💪   We also introduced Courses in Self-Defense and Dance. The self-defense classes empowered our employees with confidence and essential safety skills, while the dance classes provided a fun and energetic way to stay active and relieve stress. These courses not only promoted physical fitness but also brought a lot of joy and integration to our team. 🥋💃   Our office buzzed with excitement during our Office Activities. From Appreciation Day to Valentine's Day, Summer with Ice Cream, Health Day, Fat Thursday (a beloved Polish tradition). These events fostered a sense of community, celebration, and work-life balance, making our office a more enjoyable place to be.🎉🍦   The Office Renovation was another major milestone. With 95% electrically adjustable desks, 36 focus rooms, a Relax/Wellness room, an Inspirational Auditorium, and a Play Zone, our workspace has been transformed into a more ergonomic, flexible, and inspiring environment. These improvements support both productivity and relaxation, ensuring our employees have the best possible working conditions. 🖥️ 🎮🧘♂️🎯   To further enhance our office environment, we introduced several Office Enhancements: • Antidepressant Lamps and Ergonomic Balls were added to reduce stress and improve comfort. The addition of more plants improved air quality and created a calming atmosphere. 🌱💡 • Fruitful Healthy Tuesdays, where we provide our employees with fresh fruits to support their health. Additionally, we offer a healthy dose of vitamins and fats through nuts, which are packed with nutritional value. 🍎🥜 • Our kitchens are stocked with a variety of delicious treats throughout the day. Whether you need an energy boost from coffee, matcha, honey, herbs, fruit teas, or smoothies, you'll find plenty of options to keep you going. ☕🍵🍯🍹 At Warsaw GBS, we're committed to creating a supportive and inspiring environment for our team. We believe that by investing in our employees' wellbeing, we're investing in our collective success.🌿✨   #Wellbeing #EmployeeWellness #OfficeLife #WarsawGBS #TeamSpirit

🌟 GBS Townhall Amsterdam Recap 🌟 Last Tuesday, we held our second GBS Townhall in Amsterdam! It was a fantastic opportunity to come together, discuss our focus points for the upcoming year, and dive into our CSR initiatives and engagement plans for GBS Amsterdam. We also took a moment to shine the spotlight on one of our amazing departments, showcasing their hard work and dedication. It was inspiring to see the passion and commitment of our team!  But it wasn’t all business – we made sure to have some fun and connect with each other. Building strong relationships and fostering a sense of community. Looking forward to an exciting year ahead! 🚀 #GBSTownhall #Amsterdam #CSR #Engagement #Teamwork #Community