At UCB, we understand our ability to provide impactful solutions patients value begins with our commitment to our employees. As a company, we pride ourselves in the internal resources and programs available to all employees to encourage professional and personal development. We are pleased to introduce a new series here highlighting UCB as an employer. Today we’re shining a spotlight on our internal organization sponsored by Toastmasters International: UCB Speaks.
Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. In May 2015, UCB Speaks officially launched in our Atlanta office as a closed corporate-chartered club of Toastmasters International. Since then, UCB Speaks has provided a supportive and positive learning environment empowering members to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth.
To align with our company mission, UCB Speaks focuses on prioritizing the following key themes for all members:
Engaging in employee value creation that impacts patient value
To create patient value, we understand that offering tools to encourage employee value creation is key. UCB Speaks supports this by encouraging collaboration and shared accountability, emphasizing the importance of feedback, and inspiring members to develop and implement strategic capabilities and leadership competencies by participating in the organization’s learning curriculum.
Accelerating employee growth and the ability to provide patient value through ten unique communication and leadership development learning paths
The learning paths offered to UCB Speaks members are Dynamic Leadership, Effective Coaching, Innovative Planning, Leadership Development, Motivational Strategies, Persuasive Influence, Presentation Mastery, Strategic Relationship, Team Collaboration, and Visionary Communication. Each learning path is aligned with every member’s career development plan to maximize overall growth.
Expanding in learning new technologies
UCB Speaks offers online and interactive learning tools, assessments, and activities with over 300 competencies provided. To accommodate remote employees, UCB Speaks recently began hosting virtual meetings exploring new ways to present and give speeches.
Jennifer Smith, is the UCB Speaks chapter former president. She shared that she initially joined the organization to address her “gift of gab” and timing when giving presentations, and to learn how to effectively evaluate and provide feedback to her team.
“My favorite part about UCB Speaks is watching people grow from their first speech and seeing how they develop from evaluations and guidance”, she says. “I enjoy being able to provide positive and constructive feedback in a diverse, and safe environment that encourages engagement and cross-functional working across departments.”
UCB is proud to commit to providing programs like UCB Speaks for employees that encourages leadership development ultimately driving patient value creation.
