To enhance competitiveness in the global talent market, WILL GROUP Asia Pacific has developed WILL Academy, a program that supports employee learning and growth. Originating from employee survey feedback calling for enhanced learning opportunities, it was established to improve engagement and promote knowledge sharing across brands. The program provides diverse learning opportunities tailored to different career stages, including “Voices of WILL Sessions” open to all employees, next-generation leadership development programs, onboarding for new employees, and mentoring programs. Here, we introduce these initiatives that began with employee voices and aim to unlock each and every person’s potential.
In order to maintain competitiveness in the global HR market and achieve sustainable growth, it is essential that we hire and develop exceptional employees. WILL GROUP Asia Pacific (“WAP”) established WILL Academy to support the learning, growth, and career development of each employee. A major feature of this initiative is that it did not originate from a top-down approach but began by listening to employee voices. WAP regularly conducts the company-wide employee survey, “Voice of Workforce,” and one of the most frequently mentioned requests was “to further enhance learning opportunities.” Taking this feedback to heart, we launched WILL Academy—a shared platform for learning and growth. This initiative aims to enhance engagement and performance while promoting the sharing of best practices across our brands.
WILL Academy offers a wide range of sessions designed for employees to participate based on their needs and career stages. One representative example is the “Voices of WILL Sessions,” held quarterly. These sessions are conducted online for all employees, attracting 200–250 employees tuning in each time. Featuring external specialists and in-house experts, the program offers sessions on a wide range of topics, including industry trends, the latest skill development, and leadership. The sessions are recorded and uploaded to the intranet, enabling employees to review the content at their own pace, supporting continuous learning. Voices of WILL serves not only as a training opportunity but also as a platform for cross-brand, cross-department, and even cross-border interaction, fostering a culture of mutual learning and inspiration among employees.
We also offer Voice of WILL Leadership sessions focused on developing the next generation of leaders. Approximately 100 leaders and leadership candidates participate in this program, which focuses on enhancing leadership skills and fostering strategic thinking. Developing talent that will lead WAP in the future is extremely important to the organization, and participants not only strengthen their leadership skills but also develop the ability to approach business from a broader, more strategic perspective. Through this session, individuals with both practical problem-solving skills and medium- to long-term management perspectives are steadily emerging.
For new employees, we also conduct onboarding sessions. Given that WAP is a group of diverse brands, it can be challenging for new employees to fully grasp the overall picture. Therefore, we provide opportunities to systematically learn about our company’s history and culture, as well as the characteristics and strategies of each brand. Every month, 10 to 15 new employees participate in these sessions, helping them form a sense of identity early on as members of WAP. Employees who complete onboarding can approach their tasks with confidence and deliver results more quickly.
Alongside these sessions, one of WILL Academy’s major pillars is the Mentoring Program. This is a long-term nine-month program in which employees from different brands pair up and learn from each other through monthly dialogues. Mentors strengthen their listening ability and coaching skills, while their mentees clarify their career direction and progress. In addition, quarterly skill-up sessions enhance the program’s learning impact and facilitate network-building among participants.
Participants have shared feedback such as “It greatly contributed to my personal growth” and “I was able to interact deeply with colleagues from brands I normally would not get to be around.” The program not only enhances satisfaction with career development opportunities but also significantly promotes mutual understanding and strengthens collaboration among brands. Through WILL Academy’s diverse initiatives, an environment has been created where each employee can proactively learn and grow. Survey results show steady improvement in engagement, with more employees reporting that they see additional opportunities for career development. Ensuring the availability of learning opportunities not only deepens understanding of and belonging to WAP but also serves as a foundation for long-term career development for employees.
At WAP, we believe that effective internal communication is essential for organizational unity and greater employee engagement. To embody this belief, we have declared our purpose as “We unlock the full potential of our hero brands and team members.” This purpose is not merely a slogan. It was derived through a process in which the CEOs and marketing leaders of each brand analyzed their unique purposes and identified shared values and direction across all brands. Through this process, we reaffirmed WAP’s overall direction and provided each employee with guidance they can rely on in their daily work.
To embed this message across the organization, we utilize multiple channels, including internal newsletters, the intranet, and town hall meetings. By sharing actual case studies and success stories, we make abstract concepts concrete and actionable. As a result, a common language has emerged across brands and divisions, and cooperative relationships have strengthened. Employees have begun to connect their individual roles to WAP’s overall purpose, strengthening unity across the organization.
Another mechanism for deepening unity is the Employee Award Program. The Circle of Excellence, which honors individuals and teams who have achieved outstanding results throughout the year, is the highest recognition and is evaluated across multiple perspectives, including performance, innovation, and leadership. Award recipients are celebrated across the entire organization as WAP’s top performers and serve as role models. Meanwhile, the WOW program recognizes everyday successes and outstanding actions monthly. Our leadership team selects conduct that makes one think “Wow!” and presents the recipients with digital award certificates and gift cards. Together, the long-term recognition of the Circle of Excellence and the daily visibility provided by WOW foster a culture that appropriately acknowledges each employee’s efforts, thereby improving engagement.
Strengthening internal communication and establishing the recognition program have increased employee motivation and enhanced the overall sense of unity across WAP. Going forward, we will continue listening to employee voices, evolving our organizational culture, and striving to unlock the full potential of our hero brands and team members.
