Learning Expert Application - A. Takyi

What L&D experience does Ariane hold?

Why Start it @KBC?

My 12 MonthRoadmap

New challenges energize me, especially outdoors. My latest is horseback riding - melding my nature passion with learning a new skill.

I am an avid reader and have got a trove of recommendations. Fun fact 💡: I contributed (proofreading and PR) to 'Nasty Women', a book project that received Margaret Atwood's endorsement and exceeded its Kickstarter goal by 369%.

I am 100% a tea drinker with plenty of teabags of all concoctions. That said, I will not say no to an ice cold caramel frappuccino!

I enjoy attending different kinds of professional events to network and get clued up on industry insights / best practices. I still keep my toes in the startup and tech sector, and will be attending a number of conferences in the coming weeks:

As Training Program Lead, I championed the LMS overhaul, achieving a 15% boost in completion rates through standardized content and multilingual modules. My focus on strategic curriculum enhancements was driven by data insights, aligning with organizational objectives and nurturing a culture of continuous learning.

European Commission

In my role as Program Manager, I led HR initiatives to promote inclusivity and diversity, steering a 7-member team to enrich organizational culture. My development and execution of compliance trainings hinged on the 70:20:10 learning model, facilitating a blended approach to foster an engaging L&D environment.

Adidas

My tenure as Global Program Manager saw the launch of a pioneering Employee Advocacy program, surging brand engagement by 40% and garnering executive support. I drove the rollout of social media training to over 33,000 employees, affirming my capability to manage large-scale L&D projects internationally.

Hilti

I have led communications, PR, and marketing trainings for emerging talents at renowned accelerators like Station F and MEST, and through pivotal programs like ENNOVA Africa by the African Development Bank. My mission: to empower founders and their teams with the storytelling and brand-building skills essential for their journey from idea to impact.

Startup Ecosystem

Relevant Experience

With over 7 years in L&D, I have honed a diverse skill set. Click on each card below to discover more.

LinkedIn

EUROPEAN COMMISSION: TRAINING PROGRAM MANAGER

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Orchestrated LMS redesign, enhancing user experience and engagement, facilitating a streamlined learning process across the Commission.

• Developed and standardized multilingual training content, ensuring consistent and inclusive educational resources for EU staff.

• Utilized analytics with SAP Analytics Cloud and Power BI to drive data-informed curriculum development and strategic L&D decision-making.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

• Streamlined and automised the certification process, reducing manual workload, improving team efficiency significantly.

• Achieved 100% multilingual module accessibility within 1 year.

• Elevated training satisfaction by 20% and completion rates by 15% through curriculum refinements / LMS redesign.

ADDITIONAL INITIATIVES

• Pioneered the integration of Workday into the LMS to optimize training workflows, significantly improving HR compliance processes.

• Co-designed communications learning path as part of general onboarding track for tech and social impact recipients of EU funding.

ADIDAS: Program Manager (HR Campaigns)

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Implemented the 70:20:10 model for onboarding and ongoing skill development, balancing traditional and experiential learning methodologies.

• Managed the development and deployment of a global multimodal learning curriculum for soft-skill employee development, addressing diverse roles and proficiency levels.

• Fostered a collaborative environment with Learning and Talent Partners to align L&D initiatives with strategic business goals.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

• Enhanced engagement in L&D programs through targeted communication strategies and innovative program designs.

• Refined onboarding experiences and improved skill acquisition, contributing to a more competent and prepared workforce.

• Advanced the integration of e-learning tools and platforms, ensuring flexible and accessible learning options for all employees.

Challenges overcome

• Addressed low training adoption by fostering strategic stakeholder engagement, refining communication plans, and implementing incentives, rewards plus gamification, resulting in 85% workforce completion of at least 1 soft-skill module (average training adoption was 40%).

• Implemented feedback loops with local market leaders to tailor content and delivery, significantly enhancing module relevancy and uptake.

HILTI: Global Social Media Program Manager

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Launched a global Employee Advocacy program, driving a 40% increase in brand engagement and securing executive endorsement for implementation across 32 markets within 8 months.

• Spearheaded the development and mandatory rollout of social media training using Articulate LMS, producing SCORM packages for LMS adaptation in diverse markets, directly impacting 33,000+ employees.

• Delivered design thinking workshops and facilitated story-driven campaigns to inspire innovation and co-create impactful learning solutions leveraging social media platforms.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

• Elevated employee advocacy metrics by ~ 65% within 8 months, indicating a successful shift towards a proactive learning and advocacy culture.

• Championed employee advocacy to C-suite leadership as a strategic imperative, securing increased budget for key technical resources, including the acquisition of the Sprinklr Advocacy platform, and expanding the team with two junior Program Managers under my direct leadership.

ENDORSEMENT

Rachel Walter, former Director of Learning and Development at Hilti"Your social media learning program is impressive—clear, effective, and perfectly aligned with our learning principles. The practical use of Fuse to enhance learner engagement is exceptional. A valuable addition to Hilti, showcasing your expertise and dedication."

STARTUP ECOSYSTEM: L&D / communications consultant

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provided ad-hoc communications, PR, and marketing workshops across multiple startup acclerators, incubators, and ecoystem mobilisation programs (namely via Station F, MEST, and African Development Bank (AfDB)).

• Identified learning gaps and consulted with subject matter experts to create bitesized materials for different learning experiences - bootcamps, workshops, online modules (self-paced), or powerhour sessions.

• Supported a number of project teams with critical, last-minute requests such as increasing open-call entries, growing founder engagement, addressing low program satisfaction rates, and improving the impact visibility of programs.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

• Created over a dozen crash courses and training materials as part of bootcamps / workshops for Seedstars, AfriLabs, Superangel, and more.

• Increased open-call entries for AfDB via internal re-training of Program Managers, focusing on digital PR and social media.

• Mentored over 20 (co) founders on a 1-to-1 basis, resulting in a quantifiable improvement in their pitching success and investor engagement.

NOTABLE PROJECTS

• Co-developed HelloCircle’s curriculum, crafting 4-8 week open cohort tracks that empower internal innovators to lead and scale initiatives within the tech sector’s fast-paced environment (a Berlin Innovation Agency spin-off).

• Designed and implemented a flagship training and capacity building initiative as part of the Smart Cities Innovation Program (a Rwandan - German Government Initiative), significantly boosting startup success rates across the continent.

Driving Innovation: My Motivations and Vision

WHY?

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

• Created over a dozen crash courses and training materials as part of bootcamps / workshops for Seedstars, AfriLabs, Superangel, and more.

• My aspiration to be part of Start it @KBC and its Academy is fueled by a mutual dedication to forge a future where entrepreneurs have access to essential tools for success. The Academy represents a hub for innovation and collaborative growth - I am drawn by the opportunity to enhance its position as a pivotal element in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, merging my expertise with its mission to fully empower startups, entrepreneurs, and intrapreneurs.

• Increased open-call entries for AfDB via internal re-training of Program Managers, focusing on digital PR and social media.

• Mentored over 20 (co) founders on a 1-to-1 basis, resulting in a quantifiable improvement in their pitching success and investor engagement.

NOTABLE PROJECTS

• Co-developed HelloCircle’s curriculum, crafting 4-8 week open cohort tracks that empower internal innovators to lead and scale initiatives within the tech sector’s fast-paced environment (a Berlin Innovation Agency spin-off).

• Designed and implemented a flagship training and capacity building initiative as part of the Smart Cities Innovation Program (a Rwandan - German Government Initiative), significantly boosting startup success rates across the continent.

Vision

• My vision is to evolve the Academy into a hub for tangible skill acquisition and inventive learning methods. I plan to broaden its offerings with direct, actionable training and facilitate a culture of knowledge exchange that directly impacts startup performance and growth (some ideas are covered in my preliminary 12 month roadmap / milestone vision!).

LONG-TERM IMPACT

• Looking beyond the immediate educational outcomes, the ambition is to elevate the Academy into a lighthouse within the startup education sector - a beacon that extends its reach beyond individual growth to set new standards in entrepreneurial education globally. The goal is to create an influential hub that radiates innovative learning practices, transforming not just startups within the program but the broader industry approach to entrepreneurial education.

• Roll out a structured plan for community-driven learning, integrating partner training resources accessible to entrepreneurs.

• Pilot a gamified learning module with incentives to boost engagement and cohort interaction.

• Conduct an operational audit of current programs and engage stakeholders to identify key areas for development and integration of best practices.

• Forge initial contacts with external experts and similar programs for community knowledge sharing.

• Launch an improved external training initiative with a focus on accreditation and skill certification to enhance entrepreneur credentials.

• Develop and test a rewards system within cohorts to recognize progress and achievement.

• Contribute to the financial sustainability of the Academy by mapping partnership and funding opportunities.

• Secure increased funding through corporate partnerships and innovate the Academy's offerings with unique on-site learning experiences, such as CEO shadow days, external lunch & learns, etc.

• Establish a robust platform for continuous innovation in learning content and methods, ensuring the Academy's offerings remain cutting-edge and impactful.

• Impact report released to set the Academy as a leading model in startup education with a demonstrable record of upskilling and delivering measurable business successes.

• Expand the learning ecosystem into a comprehensive, co-creative community that continually adapts to the evolving needs of the cohorts.

First Month

Within 3Months

Within 6Months

Within 12Months

12 Months & Beyond

PRELIMINARY 12 MONTH ROADMAP / MILESTONES

background

project highlights

Cultural Entrepreneurship Curriculum Development

• Modular Design: Orchestrated a nine-module curriculum covering essential topics from the inception of cultural entrepreneurial ideas to the practicalities of business registration and financial forecasting.

• Interactive Learning: Implemented non-formal education methodologies to ensure active participation and peer-to-peer learning, capitalizing on the diverse cultural backgrounds of participants.

• Adaptability: Formulated each session with the flexibility to cater to varying needs and contexts, ensuring the curriculum's broad applicability.

• As part of my commitment to fostering entrepreneurship within multicultural contexts, I led the development of the "Cultural Entrepreneurship" curriculum, a comprehensive training program designed to empower young immigrants, youth workers, and cultural stakeholders. This project, grounded in the principles outlined in the "Handbook on Cultural Entrepreneurship," showcases my ability to create educational content that is both adaptable and impactful across diverse learning environments.

• Trainer Support: Provided comprehensive guidelines and recommendations for other trainers, facilitating the replication and scaling of the training program in different settings.

ON REPEAT: MY SPOTIFY FAVORITES