Learning in the workplace — like a surprise ride on a certain magical yellow bus — can be a transformative experience.
Much like the children on The Magic School Bus, who learn new skills via unexpected adventures into uncharted corners of their world, professionals can revive their creativity by exploring unturned stones in their daily work.
Though most workplaces are unable to hire Ms. Frizzle as a substitute teacher, businesses that encourage a culture of taking chances, making mistakes and getting messy foster their own kind of magic.
According to research from Bersin by Deloitte, high-performing organizations with strong learning cultures are 92 percent more likely to innovate, 37 percent more productive and 58 percent more prepared to meet future business demands.
Built In Chicago checked in with two local tech organizations to get a quick look at the culture, learning opportunities and benefits that keep their teams innovating. Prospective candidates looking for their next journey might consider exploring these two stops along the way — magic school bus optional.
Allwyn North America is a full-service lottery operator, supplier and business partner to North American lotteries.
What types of skill-building support does Allwyn North America offer? Are there mentorship or training opportunities for greener employees?
At Allwyn North America, we offer a variety of skill-building support for early career team members to ensure their development and professional growth. One key aspect of this support is through our learning and development program. We encourage team members to partake in continued training or certifications outside of the company as well as in-house workshop opportunities in a group setting training.
We also encourage a culture of feedback — not only with regular one-on-ones but also with yearly and mid-year check-ins as well.
How do you stay competitive with your salary and benefit offerings? Are there any new perks or benefits you're offering as a result of employee feedback?
At Allwyn, we continuously monitor industry standards and trends in compensation and benefits as well as benchmark against similar organizations and roles to ensure that our offerings remain competitive.
“We continuously monitor industry standards and trends in compensation and benefits to remain competitive.”
Additionally, we offer a comprehensive total rewards package that includes bonuses, retirement plans, healthcare benefits, wellness programs, flexible work arrangements, professional development opportunities and other perks. We recently announced a significant enhancement to our parental leave policy, increasing from six weeks to twelve weeks paid at 100 percent. This reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting the well-being of our employees and their families.
Do you have any DEI, sustainability, or equitable practices that your company is proud of?
Here at Allwyn, we encourage company-wide learning, so that we as a team can raise awareness about unconscious bias, privilege and inclusive communication. We do this through various diversity training and virtual workshops for our employees. Additionally, offering opportunities for professional development and advancement to all employees, regardless of background or identity.
Supernova Technology is a digital wealth management software company offering securities-based lending solutions.
What types of skill-building support does Supernova Technology offer? Are there mentorship or training opportunities for greener employees?
At Supernova, we excel in nurturing early career talent through a distinctive skills-building approach, centered around our flat organizational structure. From day one, new team members are integrated into a comprehensive onboarding process, immediately engaging in exciting projects alongside seasoned employees.
What truly sets us apart is our flat hierarchy, enabling unparalleled access to our executive team, including the CEO, for mentoring and collaboration on challenging problems. This direct interaction with leadership accelerates learning and development and fosters a culture of openness and innovation — making Supernova an ideal environment for ambitious professionals eager to learn from the best and make a tangible impact.
“What truly sets us apart is our flat hierarchy, enabling unparalleled access to our executive team for mentoring and collaboration on challenging problems.”
How do you stay competitive with your salary and benefit offerings? Are there any new perks or benefits you're offering as a result of employee feedback?
At Supernova, our commitment to maintaining competitive salaries and benefits is driven by thorough market research and a proactive approach to compensation. We ensure our salaries reflect the true value of each role, rather than merely meeting salary expectations, which helps break the cycle of underpayment. Additionally, we actively seek and incorporate employee feedback through open forums, allowing us to understand and respond to their needs effectively. In response to recent feedback, we have introduced new perks, including free therapy sessions to support mental health and pet benefits, enhancing our comprehensive benefits package. These updates reflect our ongoing dedication to creating a supportive and rewarding work environment.
Do you have any DEI, sustainability, or equitable practices that your company is proud of?
We take great pride in the diversity of our team, particularly the strong representation of women in leadership positions. We are dedicated to creating an empowering and inclusive environment and ensuring every team member feels valued and has the opportunity to achieve their full potential while contributing to the broader community. We aim to cultivate a workplace where innovation thrives through diverse perspectives and all employees are engaged in making Supernova a leader in our industry and a force for positive change in society.
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