Allianz Social OPEX

A unique global talent development program that nurtures top employees while addressing operational challenges in social enterprises

Issue

Companies that succeed in this changing economy will be those that understand social dimensions of doing business, and ones that can gather insight from working with leading innovators and learn to deliver products and services with limited resources.

Program

In 2009, Allianz, together with Volans, developed Social OPEX, a unique leadership development program which utilizes Allianz’s process-based methodologies (a refined Six Sigma process improvement approach for a financial services companies known as Operational Excellence, or OPEX) and their employees’ business skills to help social entrepreneurs tackle critical issues related to scale. Allianz employees are paired with social entrepreneurs for a five-day intensive workshop following a mandatory training session that prepares employees for their assigned projects and highlights the unique dynamics of the social sector.

Through the program, Allianz employees develop their leadership skills, while gaining the opportunity to create innovative solutions to emerging problems, understand new markets and experience first-hand new ways to do business from the social entrepreneurs. Volans continues to provide advisory services to Allianz, help integrate the Social OPEX program across Operational Entities within the Allianz groups, conduct training for Allianz employees and broker relationships between the social enterprises and Allianz participants.

Impact

In the past three years, over 120 Allianz employees have partnered with social entrepreneurs on over 50 projects around the globe. The program has enabled the entrepreneurs to access new funding sources, solve complex process-based issues, apply Allianz’s expertise to other internal challenges, and explore new business-building initiatives with Allianz.  The Allianz Group is now rolling out Social OPEX to a range of operational entities, including those in the UK. As testimony to its success, the program has received a net promoter score of 87%, which is well above the 75% threshold for companies garnering world-class loyalty.

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Testimonials

  • “I have a firm belief that those companies who are more attune to current and upcoming social and environmental issues have a competitive advantage over those who narrowly focus on a single bottom line. Volans and the programs in which we engage together help us maintain and improve this broader perspective and intelligence.”

    Paul Achleitner, former Chief Financial Officer of Allianz SE and sponsor of the Social OPEX program

  • “Riders wouldn’t have entered into a relationship with an organisation like Allianz without Volans to be the interpreters, to manage expectations and build trust between both organisations. All this helps to make sure that the partnership comes together beautifully. The brokerage that Volans provides, is therefore really vital.”

    Andrea Coleman, co-founder and CEO of Riders for Health

  • “Social OPEX has proven time and time again to be an innovative, exciting and rewarding initiative for both Allianz participants and the Social Enterprises they have supported. It has developed participants' leadership, consultancy and relationship-building skills, and has not only led to significant value gains for the Social enterprises but has also given their staff continuous improvement tools / skills which they can use in the future. Volans continue to provide an outstanding service in partnering Allianz staff with suitable Social Enterprises, providing our people with a credible and 'real' insight into the world of the Social Entrepreneur, and in advising on the most effective way to approach the partnerships. Their expertise and support has been invaluable.”

    Chris Wrighton, past Social OPEX participant

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