FUJIFILM’s key pillars for success: People and culture

In today’s fast-evolving business landscape, organisations must constantly adapt to stay ahead. FUJIFILM Business Innovation Singapore (FBSG) is doing just that, with a clear focus on developing its people and nurturing a workplace culture that drives success. Leading this charge is Ong Hiow Yim, Head of People, Culture, and Corporate Social Responsibility of FBSG, whose extensive experience in learning and development (L&D) has been instrumental in shaping FBSG’s talent strategy.

Ong’s journey with FBSG began in 2014 when she joined the regional L&D team. Reflecting on how much has changed over the past decade, Ong shared, “When I first joined the organisation, L&D was very much focused on traditional learning approaches. We launched a virtual training platform for the organisation, which was a slow start because people preferred face-to-face engagement. However, when Covid-19 hit, that platform became one of our main learning solutions.”

This adaptability proved to be a valuable asset as the world of work shifted dramatically, with digitalisation and automation transforming roles across industries. Ong highlighted that the rapid advancement of technology is creating skills gaps, noting, “One of the top priorities is helping our employees upskill and reskill so they can stay relevant in the work environment. The business landscape is also getting increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, and competitive, so we need to help our people build the skills to thrive in this VUCA environment.”

She emphasised that this includes developing soft skills, such as situational awareness, decision-making, and comfort with changes—skills that are essential for employees to navigate the uncertainties of today’s business world. “We need our people to learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable and to make quick decisions when needed,” she explained.

Another critical challenge facing FBSG and many organisations is managing a multigenerational workforce. With five generations working side by side, each with unique learning preferences and needs, L&D strategies must be flexible. She elaborated, “This is the first time we’re seeing five different generations working together, and each generation has different preferences, styles, and needs when it comes to learning. We need to approach learning with a different perspective and design programmes that cater to this diversity.”

“If we prioritise our people and enable them, they will be better engaged, empowered, and motivated to achieve meaningful initiatives for themselves and the organisation.” – Ong Hiow Yim, Head of People, Culture, and Corporate Social Responsibility, FUJIFILM Business Innovation Singapore 

Despite these challenges, Ong is confident in the organisation’s approach. “At FBSG, we strongly believe that if we grow our people, they will grow our business. If we prioritise our people and enable them, they will be better engaged, empowered, and motivated to achieve meaningful initiatives for themselves and the organisation.”

Building a culture for the future

In line with this belief, People and Culture has been unveiled as one of the four critical pillars of FBSG’s strategy for FY24. Ong described how this focus profoundly aligns with the organisation’s long-term vision and values. “At the heart of every successful transformation lies our people and culture, and this also forms the essential building block of our brand DNA,” she noted.

FBSG’s People and Culture strategies revolve around four main pillars. The first is fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI&B) with a strong commitment to creating an open, exciting, safe, and innovative workspace. The second is enhancing employee engagement, experience, and wellbeing. The third is focused on people development, with an emphasis on building a growth mindset and high-performance culture. The final pillar is achieving operational excellence through data analytics and HR insights for better decision-making.

READ MORE: The art of building a sustainable ‘people and culture’ strategy

Ong elaborated on the organisation’s initiatives in DEI&B, which have been a key focus since 2020. “We have various activities like Women in Leadership, where we promote and support women leaders in the organisation. We also run DEI&B workshops for managers to help them understand and overcome their biases,” she said. FBSG has also partnered with community organisations, such as Sports Singapore and SG Enable, to provide internship and employment opportunities for athletes and people with disabilities, demonstrating a commitment to giving back to society.

As FBSG continues to evolve, one of its primary goals is to foster a culture of lifelong learning. With knowledge and skills becoming more transient, Ong stressed the importance of continuous development. “We encourage employees to take opportunities to learn anytime or just in time. While skills may have a shorter shelf life, transferrable skills like emotional intelligence, interpersonal sensitivity, and communication can be built upon and enhanced,” she explained.

She believes cultivating a growth mindset is critical to motivating and engaging employees. “A growth mindset makes it easier for us to keep learning, no matter how old we are,” she concluded. “At FBSG, we want to help our people understand that there are always opportunities to progress in their career path.”