getAbstract provides users with over 22,000 summaries of business-related content from books, videos, articles and podcasts. For Steward, the learning solution’s biggest strength is that it offers an alternative to formal employee development programs: “Colleagues who don’t necessarily want to complete formal coursework may instead find inspiration by watching or reading about a video talk.” Mondelez employees can access learning and development resources from the “International University” webpage, which links up with the getAbstract-Mondelez portal. Seamless SSO integration enables users to retrieve text and audio content from the portal without the use of additional passwords. The portal allows employees from 120 countries to read and share summaries in seven different languages.

Offering maximum flexibility to employees is an important part of fostering a self-directed learning culture. Steward encourages staff to take advantage of the getAbstract app when they are away from their desks or traveling. “The app,” Steward explains, “also allows users to create personalized reading lists and download summaries as PDFs that they can highlight and share with others.” 

getAbstract lends itself particularly well as a supplement to blended learning – a method that combines classroom and online education. A case in point is Mondelez’s 10-month “Leaders Essential Program”, offered to around 180 employees of a certain salary group. Participants take part in regular information exchanges and training sessions on topics such as how agility relates to the company’s priorities of growth, execution and culture. Sessions, which are led by experienced senior executives, are held as webinars across different time zones as well as in-person meetings. “We really want these sessions to be learning events,” Steward explains, noting that getAbstract content ideally complements the sessions: “Each month, we offer curated getAbstract content for supplemental reading and use getAbstract summaries related to each month’s topic as a basis for discussion.”

To promote diversity and inclusion, Mondelez has created “Employee Resource Groups,” in which employees with similar career-related interests meet on a regular basis to support each other in their development. “These groups are always looking for developmental opportunities,” Steward explains, “so we started to experiment with setting up book clubs using getAbstract content to offer employees a different way of working on their development.”

Steward counts herself lucky to be able to rely on the continuous support of getAbstract’s experienced Customer Success Team: “The client relationship we have with getAbstract allows us to get the most benefit from our investment. Besides sharing best practices, getAbstract’s Customer Success Team excels at pointing out developmentally important content and awaken employees’ curiosity.”