Teodora Todoran, Wipro Limited: We have launched for the first time a Leadership program for Europe which is delivered 100% online

Learning and development (L&D) programs and initiatives have been headlines of corporate agendas in 2020  and continue to do so in 2021 as well, as businesses adapt to the ways and needs to learn of their employees and business partners. Also, studies of this year showed that improving L&D is a critical initiative to 86% of companies.

In this context, we recently talked in a comprehensive interview with Teodora Todoran, Senior Manager, L&D and Talent Transformation | Europe, Wipro Limited about the latest LD trends run within the company.

A high level of adaptability is the key element and skill to be under transformation

The focus as we see coming in from the internal and external customers is mainly on keeping the people in a state of mind of resilience, offering support in managing remote teams in the online/ virtual space while working from home, ensuring a pool of offerings that can be accessed easily either through self-paced learning programs (eLearning) or instructor led sessions vis online platforms. For 2021 we take the pulse of the employees and leaders in adapting the curricula and the one sure plan we have, take each day at a time. That means a high level of adaptability is the key element and skill to be under transformation, and that is a two-way street: us as facilitators to ensure we have the right tools, programs or collaborators, as well as the readiness of the people to adapt.

From an infrastructure perspective, everything is delivered online or virtualized. The engagement activities in our programs are based on collaboration, hands on practice in breakout sessions, various other apps to keep the people in a learning state, gamified online sessions are now in the making. An LMS will full capabilities of registration, feedback, catalog accessibility, reporting and other courses integrated in a one stop shop, are a must to ensure we are reaching each and every potential audience and their specific needs.

We focus on creating a flexible and adaptable way of working

That involved a set of new competencies, like autonomy and self-management, ownership, resilience and an open minded approach to reinvent their practices. This is based on sharing personal experiences, best practices and asking for help. As a differentiator of our previous L&D activities, we have expanded the reach of our programs, though online delivery, to a multicultural audience, as one major business aspect becoming more visible and adding value to a larger part of the business.. In addition, we have launched for the first time a Leadership program for Europe which is delivered 100% online, with interactive activities, theoretical aspects , as well as individual hands on practice.

Adaptability is the key element and skill to be under transformation

The challenge we all see now is acceptance of the status quo. For L&D that means to be ready to predict, anticipate the need of the hour, to be creative, inventive and curious at all times on what might be needed next. That is a really big challenge, as we don’t know what’s coming our way, long or short term. Yet with the right attitude and passion, as we are all part of the same challenges and I am confident on a positive outcome.