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"By involving stakeholders from the start, we fostered a shared commitment to the initiatives, which helped secure the buy-in needed for meaningful transformation," Annie Lim, Head of Human Resources, shares.
Imagine a workplace where every voice is heard, every perspective valued, and every individual empowered. A space where empathy isn't just a buzzword, but a driving force that fuels innovation and fosters collaboration. This isn't just a dream; in fact, the team at Lonza Biologics has turned it into a reality. By leading with empathy and authenticity, the organisation has managed to foster a culture of inclusivity and empowerment for its’ employees to reach their full potential.
“In today’s rapidly evolving biotech landscape, employees are integral to driving innovation and success,” Annie Lim, Head of Human Resources at Lonza Biologics affirms. as she sat down with the HRO team upon her and her team’s win at the HR Excellence Awards Singapore 2024 for earning the Bronze award in Employee Advocacy and Brand Ambassadors.
Following her team's gold win for 'Excellence in Employee Advocacy and Brand Ambassadors' at the HR Excellence Awards 2024, Singapore, Lim shares wih HRO how Lonza Biologics is keeping employee wellbeing and organisational performance at the forefront of its people strategy.
Q. What was the motivation that sparked your passion & business case for pursuing your outstanding people strategy?
The core motivation was to cultivate an environment where employees feel engaged, valued, and supported in both their professional growth and personal wellbeing. In today’s rapidly evolving biotech landscape, employees are integral to driving innovation and success. By prioritising a people-first approach, we not only enhance productivity and engagement but also align our efforts with Lonza’s vision to improve health worldwide, bring any therapy to life. Our HR strategy was developed with this holistic view in mind—promoting a culture of inclusion, wellness, and growth that empowers each employee to thrive.
Q. Looking back, can you share a challenge that you overcame in your journey of HR excellence? How did you triumph?
A key challenge was implementing change in a fast-paced and highly regulated industry like biotech where expectations are high, and time is limited. To address this, we focused on building a resilient HR team and sought senior leadership support to champion our vision. By involving stakeholders from the start, we fostered a shared commitment to the initiatives, which helped secure the buy-in needed for meaningful transformation.
The resulting collaborations, and trust among the team, allowed us to navigate obstacles while staying agile and achieving impactful results for our people strategy.
Q. Beyond the recognition, what impact do you hope your feature in the HR Excellence Awards would have on the HR community and manpower landscape?
My hope is that this recognition brings attention to the importance of fostering both employee wellbeing and organisational performance. By sharing our journey, I aim to inspire HR leaders to focus not only on talent management but also on creating an environment that supports holistic growth.
I believe that by driving initiatives focused on wellbeing, inclusion, and continuous learning, we can elevate the role of HR across industries and contribute to a more engaged, empowered workforce in Singapore and beyond.
Q. Could you share some advice you would give to others aspiring to follow in your footsteps?
My advice is to lead with empathy and authenticity, remembering that HR is ultimately about people.
Embrace challenges as opportunities for learning, and don’t be afraid to push boundaries to create value.
Build trust and foster collaboration within our teams—these are the foundations for any successful HR strategy.
Also, stay adaptable; the world of work is constantly evolving, learning agility and flexibility in approach allows us to better support our people and organisation for success.
Q. Let’s talk inspiration! Who has been a driving force behind your success?
My journey has been deeply inspired by mentors, peers, and the incredible leaders I’ve had the privilege to work with. They taught me the importance of vision, resilience, and empathy in leadership. My family has also been a constant source of strength, encouraging me to pursue my passion for HR with dedication.
Every SLT member and my Global HR leaders, I’ve worked with have contributed to my growth. It is their support and shared vision to Great Place to Work at Lonza, that have truly fuelled my drive to make a difference to the people and value add to impact business.
Read more interviews on why organisations have won trophies for their HR practices - head over to our Winning Secrets section!
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