AkzoNobel Global Business Services

“Wishing you all a happy, safe and happy Diwali with your near and dear ones!” #diwali #akzonobel #celebration

GBS KL introduced two impactful CSR projects that feature our kindness to all kinds. These projects were made possible by the enthusiasm and good spirit of our colleagues. 1. Collect and Deliver Surplus Food 🍲 We teamed up with Kechara Soup Kitchen, a NGO dedicated to helping homeless and marginalized communities, in their surplus food initiative that prevents food wastage. In this initiative, our colleagues re-distributed the food to orphanages and old folks’ homes. The smiles and gratitude of the recipients were heartwarming. 2. Feed Stray Dogs with STRAYSAFE MY 🐾 Inspired by our colleague’s (Ishveena Kaur’s) compassion and kindness to homeless dogs, we partnered with STRAYSAFE MY to ensure no dog was left hungry for the day. Our colleagues were involved in cooking, packing food sustainably, feeding 80 stray dogs in an industrial area and cleaning up after the dogs. Ending our efforts with a quote from the late Ratan Tata: "Businesses need to go beyond the interest of their companies to the communities they serve." #CSR #CommunityService #GBSKL #KecharaSoupKitchen #STRAYSAFEMY #AkzoNobel #Kindness #GivingBack #CommunityLove

Exciting milestone ahead! Good luck to all the hard working colleagues in GBS and IT. An ambitious project with lots of opportunities and great learnings.

Mahatma Gandhi's Timeless Principles for Modern Work   Mahatma Gandhi's principles, born from India's struggle for independence, offer valuable insights for today's workplace:   Non-violence (Ahimsa): Mahatma Gandhi's advocacy for non-violence can be applied to workplace conflict resolution. By encouraging dialogue, active listening, and peaceful solutions, organizations can create healthier work relationships and reduce tension. Truth (Satya): Honesty in communication and decision-making is crucial for building trust within teams. A culture of truth promotes open communication and encourages team members to share their ideas and concerns without fear. Self-discipline (Swaraj): Gandhiji stressed the importance of personal accountability and self-discipline in the workplace. Employees who take responsibility for their actions, manage their time effectively, and stay focused demonstrate self-leadership. Servant Leadership (Seva): Gandhiji's leadership was characterized by service to others. Today, servant leaders focus on supporting their team's needs, helping them grow, and removing obstacles to their success. Instead of controlling their employees, servant leaders empower them to take initiative and lead themselves, fostering innovation and engagement. Simplicity (Minimalism): His emphasis on simplicity can be applied to the workplace by streamlining processes, reducing unnecessary bureaucracy, and focusing on what truly adds value. It would help individuals should minimize distractions and concentrate on meaningful work.   By embracing these principles, organizations can foster a more ethical, inclusive, and resilient work culture. #gandhi #management #ahimsa #truth #ethics #akzonobel #principles #courage #persistence #empathy #change #improvement

Last week we had the privilege of welcoming our “Global Business Service Director- Anat Markus” & “Global People Service Director- Koen Struijk”- in Pune GBS Center. The visit was profound lessons in leadership, growth, human aspect of our work and GBS Townhall. Anat along with Koen & Deepak shared candid stories of their journey, revealing that true growth comes from: 1. Willing to take challenges outside our comfort zone 2. Contributing across different towers/ areas 3. Having an open mind to accept and learn. Some other key insights were: 1. Transparency: The candid responses to tough questions in various forums brought alignment throughout various teams 2. Recognition of Hard Work: Throughout various reviews & townhall sincere appreciation for teams effort was motivating 3. Growth Mindset: Opening new avenues for growth and improvement across all areas by improving quality, effectiveness, and efficiency 4. Fostering Professional Development: Engaging with employees about their career aspirations and discuss potential growth paths within the company 5. No Work without Fun: During Townhall participants convened under one roof to showcase diversified culture of India. Our leaders were captivated by traditional performances, from the graceful movements of Bharatanatyam to the energetic beats of Bhangra. The visit has left us energized and positive!!

🔹 Celebrating the Success of the "Vencemos" Program at AkzoNobel GBS Mauá! 🔹 We are thrilled to announce the conclusion of our "Vencemos/ We won" program, an initiative aimed at improving the health and well-being of AkzoNobel employees. Over the past six months, we have engaged our team in the pursuit of a better quality of life in a voluntary and collaborative manner. Participants formed groups of up to six people, ensuring complete confidentiality of their information. With monthly measurements using bioimpedance scales, everyone had the opportunity to monitor their progress anonymously. The scoring was based on weight loss and body fat percentage, fostering a motivating environment. During our monthly meetings, we shared scores, providing moments of relaxation and celebration for everyone, both participants and non-participants. On Wednesday, September 18th, we wrapped up the program by announcing the winning group and the top scorer of the competition. Most importantly, regardless of the results, all participants emerged as winners. Each one became a better version of themselves, developing a mindset geared toward a healthier life. This program is another testament to how AkzoNobel cares about the well-being of its employees. Together, we are building a healthier and more motivating work environment! #AkzoNobel #Vencemos #Health #Wellbeing #QualityOfLife #TeamSpirit

🔹 Celebrating the Success of the "Vencemos" Program at AkzoNobel GBS Mauá! 🔹 We are thrilled to announce the conclusion of our "Vencemos/ We won" program, an initiative aimed at improving the health and well-being of AkzoNobel employees. Over the past six months, we have engaged our team in the pursuit of a better quality of life in a voluntary and collaborative manner. Participants formed groups of up to six people, ensuring complete confidentiality of their information. With monthly measurements using bioimpedance scales, everyone had the opportunity to monitor their progress anonymously. The scoring was based on weight loss and body fat percentage, fostering a motivating environment. During our monthly meetings, we shared scores, providing moments of relaxation and celebration for everyone, both participants and non-participants. On Wednesday, September 18th, we wrapped up the program by announcing the winning group and the top scorer of the competition. Most importantly, regardless of the results, all participants emerged as winners. Each one became a better version of themselves, developing a mindset geared toward a healthier life. This program is another testament to how AkzoNobel cares about the well-being of its employees. Together, we are building a healthier and more motivating work environment! #AkzoNobel #Vencemos #Health #Wellbeing #QualityOfLife #TeamSpirit

Mid-Autumn Festival Celebrations at GBS,KL kick-started with moon cakes, lanterns and lots of lovely smiles from our team members gathering together to celebrate this auspicious event. The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival or Moon cake, is a harvest festival celebrated in Chinese culture During the festival, lanterns of all sizes and shapes – which symbolize beacons that light people's path to prosperity and good fortune – are carried and displayed. Moon cakes, a rich pastry typically filled with sweet-bean, egg yolk, meat or lotus-seed paste, are traditionally eaten during this festival. These pictures display the treasures of Diversity and Inclusion being practiced in GBS, KL, regardless of ethnic, colour, race or country. Our team members in KL consist of different backgrounds and cultures namely Malays, Chinese , Indians, Indonesians, Thai, Vietnamese, Pakistanis. Everyone blends together to build one Culture in AkzoNobel and respect people without judgement. Hoping all those celebrating this auspicious festival gain sweet memories and happy moments with their loved ones. We definitely did in GBS, KL and I am looking forward to playing the gift lantern with my kid 😊 Happy Mid Autumn Festival to all !! #mooncakesandlanterns #akzonobelglobalbusinessservices #laughter #vibrantpeople #diversityandinclusion #GBSKL

Management Lessons from Ganesh Festival   The vibrant festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, celebrated with great fervor across India, was of course also celebrated last week in our GBS Center in Pune! Next to an amazing day and awesome team pictures, organizing this event brought with it a wealth of management lessons. Let’s reflect on a few of them below:   1. Planning and Organization: Strategic Planning: The elaborate preparations for Ganesh Chaturthi(Ganesh Festival) , from idol making to pandal construction, demonstrate the importance of meticulous planning and organization. This is very helpful in developing a strategic perspective. Resource Allocation: Effective management of time, materials, and human resources is crucial for a successful celebration.   2. Teamwork and Collaboration: Shared Vision: Ganesh festival brings together communities to celebrate a common goal, highlighting the power of teamwork and collaboration. Role Distribution: Each individual, from the idol maker to the volunteer, plays a vital role in the celebration, emphasizing the importance of effective role distribution and coordination.   3. Innovation and Creativity: Unique Themes: There are diverse themes and decorations showcased during Ganesh Chaturthi demonstrate the importance of creativity and innovation in keeping traditions relevant and engaging. Problem-Solving: The challenges faced in organizing large-scale celebrations often require innovative problem-solving skills.   4. Financial Management: Budgeting: The festival involves significant expenses, from idol creation to pandal decorations. Effective budgeting ensures that resources are allocated wisely. Fund Raising: Many communities engage in fundraising activities to support the celebrations, demonstrating the importance of financial management and community engagement.   5. Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility: Eco-Friendly Practices: The increasing trend of using eco-friendly materials for idols and decorations highlights the importance of sustainability and environmental responsibility. Waste Management: The festival's impact on the environment is a growing concern. Effective waste management practices are essential for minimizing its ecological footprint. In conclusion, the Ganesh Festival not only brings joy and celebration, but also valuable management lessons that can be applied in various aspects of our lives and work. Let's continue to learn and grow from cultural traditions and experiences! #ganeshfestival #management #finance #sustainability #budgeting #problemsolving #strategy #coordination #festival #india #pride #nation #celebration

Exciting news from GBS Suzhou! Our team has successfully completed our office relocation and we couldn't be happier to share that we recently celebrated our first event in our new and improved space. What better occasion than the Mid-Autumn Festival - a time for family reunions and celebration in China. Our new office boasts four distinct activity areas that were specifically designed to encourage exploration and collaboration among our team members. From cozy lounge spaces to high-energy brainstorming rooms, we've got it all. The Mid-Autumn Festival gathering was a huge success, filled with joy and laughter as we all came together to mark the beginning of a new chapter in our company's journey. We're thrilled to call this stunning new office our home and can't wait to see what the future holds. Stay tuned for more exciting updates from GBS Suzhou!