Anubhab Rahman
Human Resources Personnel
Former Head of Organization Development and Capacity Enhancement Center
Eastern Bank PLC
Ms. Anubhab Rahman is a highly accomplished HR professional with over 18 years of experience in the field. She has a strong background in human resources management, having worked for prominent private banks in Bangladesh, including Bank Asia Ltd., NRB Bank Ltd., and Eastern Bank PLC (EBL). Ms. Rahman holds the Chartered MCIPD designation from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in London, UK, and she is currently furthering her education at Texas Tech University in the USA. Her career has been marked by a commitment to fostering a culture of continuous learning and development, and she has played a pivotal role in EBL’s HR initiatives, contributing to the organization’s status as a “Home of Happiness” for its employees. Ms. Rahman’s expertise in employee engagement, performance management, and digital transformation has had a lasting impact on her organizations, and she continues to be a leader in the HR field.
Let’s learn about her journey.
The InCAP: Ms. Anubhab Rahman, please share your professional and academic peregrination for our readers!
Ms. Anubhab Rahman: I am an HR professional with over 18 years of experience in the field. I’ve had the privilege of working for prominent private banks in Bangladesh, including Bank Asia Ltd., NRB Bank Ltd., and Eastern Bank PLC (EBL). Additionally, I’ve gained experience working with organizations like the AFC Group and a few NGOs, such as Save the Children Australia, Bangladesh Rural Reconstruction Movement, and Save Safe.
My most recent experience was at EBL, where I spent seven years in the Human Resources Division and led the Organization Development and Capacity Enhancement Center. However, in August, I stepped toward furthering my education and enrolled at Texas Tech University in the USA, specializing in human resources management.
Education has always been a top priority for me. I completed my MBA in 2006 at Asian University, followed by earning the Advanced Certificate in Business Administration from IBA, University of Dhaka, in 2015. In 2022, I achieved the Chartered CIPD designation from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in London, UK. I firmly believe in the significance of continuous learning for effective people management, particularly considering the exceptional knowledge and understanding the younger generation possesses.
Can you please describe your approach to fostering a culture of continuous learning and development within Eastern Bank PLC?
My approach to fostering a culture of continuous learning and development within Eastern Bank PLC. (EBL) centers around the core principle that “EBL hires for attitude and trains for skills.” This value has been a significant source of inspiration for me. As a learning partner at EBL, I’ve played a direct role with the learning and development team, working to cultivate a culture of continuous improvement.
EBL offers a range of training programs; I have had the opportunity to facilitate sessions in these learning events, including the foundation training program and various leadership and motivational programs. These programs serve as platforms for knowledge exchange among employees at all levels, fostering a culture of continuous learning.
Every year, we design and introduce new employee engagement programs. These initiatives aim to strengthen bonds among EBL’s workforce and enhance their knowledge. Such programs are pivotal in instilling and reinforcing EBL’s culture and values among employees.
We organize sessions conducted by experts from different fields through EBL’s Employee Wellness programs. This provides employees with opportunities to learn and improve their personal and professional well-being.
Managing the performance management process at EBL has allowed me to encourage employees to set learning objectives aligned with their career aspirations. We closely monitor and track progress to ensure that learning remains a central part of their career growth.
I was responsible for the EBL Future Leader Development Program, where mentorship and coaching play a significant role in employee development. This initiative involves experienced employees guiding their peers and creating a supportive and collaborative learning environment.
NEST (the capacity enhancement center of EBL) is a valuable resource that has allowed me to directly contribute to enhancing our employees’ capabilities. This center plays a pivotal role in fostering continuous learning and development.
What strategies have you implemented to enhance employee engagement and retention within the organization?
I’m delighted to answer this question, as employee engagement and retention are paramount at Eastern Bank PLC. EBL is a highly targeted organization by peer banks for the source of recruitment as EBL’s human resources are highly efficient.
Through our employee engagement programs and culture, EBL become the Home of Happiness to its Employees. We believe happy employees are more engaged and stay longer with the organization. Here are some of the strategies we’ve implemented:
We organize a wide array of employee engagement programs throughout the year. These include EBL Banker’s Chef (a cooking competition), Simple Pleasures of Life (a photography competition), Esho Mili Shure Shure (a singing competition), Imagine Without Fear (an art competition), and regular sports tournaments like badminton, cricket, football, and chess. These programs foster teamwork and bring joy and a sense of belonging among our employees.
EBL has developed signature engagement programs such as Happy Employee Appreciation Day, Power of WE, EBL Friends of Earth, and EBL Mission Bangladesh. These initiatives not only promote a positive work culture but also instill a sense of purpose, developing values and motivation within our workforce.
We celebrate work anniversaries, birthdays, and even the joy of new parenthood. This daily festive atmosphere creates a sense of family and unity, making EBL an enjoyable place to work.
Our efforts in employee engagement and retention have proven successful, as we’ve seen the positive impact on our talented workforce. These strategies help EBL stand out as a “Home of Happiness” for our employees, ensuring that we not only attract but also retain top-quality resources within the organization.
Ms. Anubhab Rahman, Can you share a successful case where your team’s intervention led to a significant improvement in employee performance or organizational capacity?
EBL is a performance-driven organization where employees are rewarded based on their performance. In this context, we implemented various interventions that resulted in a significant improvement in employee performance and organizational capacity. We designed and developed our performance management tool for analyzing employees’ performance, created tailored training programs, established quarterly discussion sessions for regular feedback, and introduced coaching and mentorship programs to foster individual growth and revamp performance incentives. As a result, we observed increased productivity, higher-quality work, and improved employee satisfaction, ultimately leading to enhanced organizational growth and increased revenue. This case underscores the significant impact of strategic interventions and engagement on both individual and organizational excellence.
In the context of digital transformation, how has EBL adapted its workforce’s skills and capabilities, and what role have you played in this transformation?
In the context of digital transformation, EBL has taken a proactive approach to adapt our workforce’s skills and capabilities. We recognized the importance of staying ahead in the digital landscape, which led to the development of a bespoke HRIS and a mobile-based HR app named ‘peoplEBL.’ During my tenure at EBL, I had the privilege of working on the design of ‘peoplEBL’ for effective people management.
“PeoplEBL” plays a pivotal role in identifying skill gaps and implementing training programs to upskill our employees. This includes E-learning and E-certification facilities, fostering a culture of continuous learning. Our collective efforts have empowered EBL to readily embrace digital advancements and maintain a position at the forefront of innovation in the banking sector.
Can you please share your vision for the future of organization development at Eastern Bank Limited and the key initiatives you plan to undertake to achieve that vision?
As a former member of eblHR, I envision the Organization Development team at eblHR thriving on innovation to serve our peoplEBL better. This will help maintain and enhance an employee-friendly atmosphere within EBL, thereby contributing to our employees’ performance and sustainable growth. The initiatives driven by eblHR consistently aim to ensure that EBL remains the ‘HOME of Happiness’ for all employees. As one of the top HR teams in Bangladesh, we are committed to leading industry standards, providing dynamic services, and delivering value to all our employees. to all employees while positively impacting society and the sustainable environment.”
Ms. Anubhab Rahman, please say something to the readers!
To our readers, I encourage you to seize the opportunity to grow, learn, and innovate. Maintain your curiosity and never stop pursuing your aspirations. A combination of smart and hard work is essential to achieve the dream. Remember that every challenge is an opportunity to shine, and every failure is a stepping stone to success. Your journey is yours, and you have the power to make it extraordinary.
Stay inspired, stay motivated, and keep moving forward!
Quick Chat With Ms. Anubhab Rahman
The most outstanding achievement of your life as of now:
The most outstanding achievement of my life is that I’ve had the remarkable opportunity to learn from industry-leading leaders, and I consider myself extremely fortunate to have this chance for growth and knowledge acquisition. Additionally, as of now, I have had the privilege of working alongside incredible colleagues who exemplify respect and collaboration and are determined to succeed even in challenging circumstances.
Your Icon:
My father. He taught me to be true to myself and to approach life with empathy and a deep sense of humanity.
Name the most influential books you have read:
One of the most influential books I’ve read is “Good to Great” by Jim Collins. I learned from this book “Good is the enemy of great. And that is one of the key reasons why we have so little that becomes great.
Your greatest fear:
My greatest fear is not fully realizing my potential and the opportunities life presents.
Best piece of advice you’ve received:
The best piece of advice I’ve received is to “learn to say NO”
You in only three words:
Emotional, adaptable, and workaholic.
Skill Set
- Hard Skills: Language Proficiency, Technical Proficiency, Networking, and IT Skills.
- Soft Skills: Communication, Teamwork, Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking, Time Management, Networking.
Prayer For The Human Civilization:
We seek blessings for all humanity. Please give us the solidarity, compassion, and wisdom to overcome challenges, promote peace, and solve pressing problems. Strengthen us in difficult times so that we can stand together and find hope. Fill our hearts with love and compassion, inspire our leaders to prioritize the common good, and guide us in pursuing wisdom and enlightenment. May empathy, kindness, and love prevail in our world.
The InCAP: Thank you, Ms. Anubhab Rahman! It’s a glittering conversation with you!
Ms. Anubhab Rahman: My pleasure! Wish you all the best! Thank you.
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