Culture@Work: Digital Clubs

Culture@Work is a series that takes a look at some of the ways BASF's Digital Hub Kuala Lumpur brings our teams closer together. Stay tuned for more!

In January 2022, we kicked off a fun internal project called Digital Clubs, with the aim of bringing people together to exchange ideas, foster positive team spirit and to create a sense of belonging. Anyone’s free to join a club based on their own interest.

To know more about the Digital Clubs, we spoke to Kok Choo - Senior Analyst with BASF’s Digital Hub Kuala Lumpur, and facilitator of the Digital Hub Kuala Lumpur's Fun & Sports Club.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I joined BASF almost 18 years ago, and I’m currently working as a Senior Analyst with the Order Management team. I support our SAP OTC module, and my responsibilities include handling escalations and service provider queries from time to time.

I’m born and bred in Kuala Lumpur, and I enjoy traveling and seeing the world. Once the pandemic ends, I hope I’ll get to travel to Ireland to visit my niece!

What is the Fun Club all about, and what made you join?

Pic: Celebrating Digital Hub Kuala Lumpur's 100th hire

The Fun & Sports Club was actually started a few years back. They had organized and introduced many fun activities and games for the Digital Hub Kuala Lumpur employees to participate in. I saw that the club really excelled at organizing those sessions, and I got to interact with many colleagues through the activities. I really loved the experience, and I told myself that one day I’ll be part of the Fun & Sports Club team!

I loved the fact that through the club, I learnt how to work together with other committee members to organize interactive and fun activities. And I felt that it was my contribution to help build the spirit of togetherness for Digital Hub Kuala Lumpur.

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced so far?

One of our biggest challenges definitely came about when the Covid-19 pandemic started. Because of the high number of cases, ensuring employee safety is a top priority. Unfortunately, this also made it super hard to organize physical games or activities as most of us were working from home. We had to be really creative!

Pic: submissions for the club's Chinese New Year background wallpaper competition

Secondly: our Digital Hub Kuala Lumpur is growing rapidly. The family now is bigger, compared to last year and before. It’s quite a challenge to arrange and organize activities for large groups of people - which is something to avoid now, actually.

Pic: Digital Hub Kuala Lumpur's virtual Halloween lunch session!

What’s in store for the Fun & Sports Club in 2022?

As the club facilitator, each month I plan to have some interesting activities for everyone, either virtually or physically in the office. It really depends on the pandemic situation at the moment, but if conditions permit we plan to organize physical games and tournaments like bowling, ping-pong and even badminton among teams.

The Fun & Sports Club is all about getting everyone together, and we look forward to continuing this culture by bringing more creative games and ideas in 2022!

Pic: prize-giving ceremony for 2021 competition winners

Culture@Work is a series that takes a look at some of the ways BASF's Digital Hub Kuala Lumpur brings our teams closer together. Stay tuned for more!