How a World-Class GCC starts with a vision and teamwork

Nowadays, companies are working towards providing potential hires and employees with more than just competitive benefits. According to Aerotek[1], job seekers are actively looking for companies that prioritize right compensation, job security, opportunities for growth, upskilling and promotion. Within the established industries of Global Capability Centers (GCC) or Information Technology-Business Process Management (IT-BPM), workers want a place that allows them to thrive professionally with a nurturing work culture, competitive employee programs, and supportive peers.

So, it was a welcome surprise for me when I received a call that discussed an opportunity of a lifetime–to be the new Vice President and Site Head of Sun Life Global Solutions (SLGS) Philippines. Being Great Place To Work-Certified? companies, Sun Life and SLGS have been known in the industry as groups that strive to be people first, and it shows – not only when it comes to awards, but more importantly when it comes to the workplace culture. So of course, I accepted the offer.

I am now six months into my tenure and I’m excited to bring forward all my relevant experiences towards helping Sun Life Global Solutions achieve its goal of becoming a truly world-class GCC. Being a professional in the IT-BPM industry for almost 20 years, I feel that my experience can serve SLGS well, and knowing the ins and outs of the industry – having served multiple leadership positions can help me bring a new perspective when it comes to leading the organization.

Since joining the company, we have focused on developing new capabilities such as generative AI to potentially help augment our work, strongly focusing on hyper-personalization for our clients. According to a 2023 Forbes article[2], most companies have started leveraging gen AI in data management, resulting in “more profound and insightful analytical outcomes.” AI has also increasingly enabled the automation of data governance, compliance and cybersecurity processes, reducing the need for manual oversight and intervention at a time when we are observing the growing importance of data privacy and security. We have also increasingly focused on our digital transformation, driving the technological literacy of our employees and ensuring that we are equipped with the best digital tools to maximize productivity and efficiency. Innovations such as these are stepping stones that I would like to inculcate at SLGS, because we are in a unique position to positively contribute to Sun Life, and to help elevate the experience of our clients, advisors and employees.

All this would not be possible without the amazing men and women of SLGS, who I hope to support by creating a diverse, inclusive and innovative workplace. According to research by McKinsey & Company[3], there are three fundamental indicators of inclusion in the workplace: equality, openness, and belonging. By focusing on these key aspects, we at SLGS can show our employees that they are valued and that they have the right to belong and to be accepted, regardless of their age, race, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability or personal identities. One of the landmark activities that we had to celebrate the diversity in our organization is creating our DE&I Club, which aimed to strengthen our inclusion networks such as Bright Women for women empowerment, Sun Life Pride Network for our LGBTQ+ community, "Diversability" for PWDs, Dekada for inter-generation programs in the Philippines, and Working Families. By making these strides on our journey to make SLGS an inclusive workplace, we hope to continue strengthening our culture and fostering a welcoming environment that is conducive to success.

My role in SLGS provides me an opportunity to ensure that the company is a place I can be proud of, and to further elevate the already excellent standing that SLGS has in the industry. While we have received many accolades as a company, I’m eager to help this amazing organization reach even more milestones in the coming months as we work to develop more innovations to help Sun Life businesses around the world and continue to create a diverse and inclusive workplace. I look forward to achieving this mission with my colleagues by my side and leveraging all my experience in the industry to help Sun Life Global Solutions shine even brighter!

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[1] Aerotek: Job Market Analysis

[2] 2023: The Year Generative AI Transformed Enterprise Data Management

[3] Diversity Wins: How Inclusion Matters

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