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HNB Assurance & HNB General Insurance Journey with Lean Six Sigma

HNB Assurance PLC (HNBA) and its fully-owned subsidiary HNB General Insurance Limited (HNBGI), have been having steady year-on-year growth while the business remains dynamic and resilient. Over time, both companies' productivity plateaued, and several waste types were identified by dissecting the processes. With the growing intensity of competition, in 2019, the companies partnered with Dr Mikel J Harry Six Sigma Management Institute Asia to focus on standardization, quality & efficiency improvement, cost reduction, reducing process variation and enhancing process control. Even though Lean Six Sigma (LSS) is not a new concept, it is all about doing more with less. As of date, HNBA & HNBGI have more than 50 Black belt and Green belt LSS practitioners across all divisions of both organizations. Both companies reaffirmed their commitment towards inculcating a lean culture with a recent batch of employees successfully graduating last September 2022, having completed the Green and Black Belt program. Upon successfully completing the course, nominated staff members to undertake a real-life project with the guidance of an SSMI Master Black Belt. Dinesh Yogaratnam, Chief Marketing & Customer Experience Officer stated, "as organizations grow, they may carry with them processes and procedures implemented in the past, which may not add value in the present day. This program has given both organizations the necessary teeth in terms of trained staff who are able to deep dive into processes and improve efficiencies by way of removing nonvalue-adding activities". He also emphasized the importance of a learning culture in the organization so that by understanding and appreciating the potency of concepts such as Lean Six Sigma could inculcate it at all levels in the Company and this change in mindset would contribute towards superior financial performance that ultimately improves the bottom line of the organisation. He thanked Mr Dumidu Ranaweera -Global Director APAC, Middle East, Oceania, Africa & Canada of Dr Mikel J. Harry Six Sigma Management Institute Asia for all the support that has been given in terms of training and guiding the team. Geethani Saram, Head of Business Process Excellence & Procurement of HNBA, reflecting on what LSS revealed, stated that she believes corporates should draw attention to a few critical observations while analyzing the impact of Lean Six Sigma in an organization. Further elaborating, Different LSS tools will deliver different results based on situations and their application. As an organization, we focused on the overall process of providing value to our end customers. The culture for problem identification, rectification and error-proofing enables logical problem-solving, adding value throughout the process. Driving value-added activities permitted us to reduce costs and improve throughput time. We aimed to enhance the knowledge of all our employees, aiding them in selecting the appropriate LSS tools for operational problem-solving. And encouraging employees to become change agents who deliver resounding customer convenience eliminating waste in our processes. Hazana Caffoor, Senior Manager R&D and Process Re-Engineering of HNBGI, mentioned that LSS is a fundamental transformation in the thinking and behavioural patterns rather than applying changes in the process. The systematic elimination of waste creates a positive contribution towards working capital management. After I saw the potential and usefulness of LSS to myself, I made an effort to manifest it in the minds of our people as I saw many opportunities for positive transformation. The aim of this LSS approach has resulted in changing the mindsets of the operational team to look at operations differently while sustaining a lean culture and creating a learning organization. With this initiative, both companies utilize the lean six sigma tools and ideas to promote a new strategic outlook that brings about creativity, innovation, structured problem-solving skills—at the same time, enhancing employee motivation towards providing an excellent service to all our valuable customers. The Lean Six Sigma program of HNBA & HNBGI titled "Evolution Circle" is the Company's way of giving an identity to the program and the team members. As the name implies, the process of evolution that we have embarked upon is seamless in that one needs to constantly keep improving and attuning oneself, to the complex and dynamic environment in which businesses operate and be continually relevant. The Company has also specially designed a rewards and recognition scheme where all members are entitled to participate. At the recently held Staff Conference, the LSS member and their teams were awarded the Best Cost Saving Project, Best Efficiency Improvement Project, and Best Customer Experience Enhancement Project. HNB Assurance PLC (HNBA) is a leading Life Insurance Company in Sri Lanka with a network of 64 branches. Fitch Ratings Lanka has assigned HNBA a rating of 'A+' (lka) for 'National Insurer Financial Strength Rating'. Falling in line with the introduction of the segregation rules by the Insurance Regulator, in January 2015, HNB General Insurance Limited (HNBGI) commenced its operations. HNBGI continues to specialize in motor, non-motor and Takaful insurance solutions while being a fully-owned subsidiary of HNB Assurance PLC. Fitch Ratings Lanka Limited has assigned HNB General Insurance a 'National Insurer Financial Strength Rating' of 'A+' (lka). HNBA is rated within the Top 100 brands and Top 100 companies in Sri Lanka by LMD and has won international awards for Brand Excellence, Digital Marketing and HR Excellence, including the Great Place To Work® Certification, and won many awards for its Annual Reports at award ceremonies organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka.

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15

Apr

HNB Assurance Strengthens Presence with Relocation of Branches in Nugegoda and Nuwara Eliya

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%;text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:&quot;HNBA &amp; GI&quot;;font-size:10.0pt;"><span style="line-height:150%;">HNB Assurance PLC, is delighted to announce the relocation of its branches to prime locations in Nugegoda and Nuwara Eliya. These strategic moves reflect on the company's intention to enhancing accessibility and service delivery to customers in key regions across the island. Providing convenient access to its comprehensive range of insurance products and services, including protection, health, savings, retirement and&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height:150%;mso-spacerun:yes;"> </span><span style="line-height:150%;">MRP has contributed to the progress of the company, showcasing a 20% year on year growth continuously over the past three years.&nbsp;</span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%;text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:&quot;HNBA &amp; GI&quot;;font-size:10.0pt;"><span style="line-height:150%;">Mr. Lasitha Wimalaratne, CEO of HNBA, expressing his thoughts at the branch openings, stated, “The decision to relocate our branches in Nugegoda and Nuwara Eliya was driven by our strategic vision to position ourselves in key high-traffic areas, enabling us to foster deeper connections with our customers and offer tailored insurance solutions that safeguard what matters most to them. As we embark on this journey of growth, our branch network remains integral, serving as the bedrock to our customer-centric approach. I have full confidence that these new locations will not only amplify our presence but also elevate the level of service we provide to the local communities."</span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%;text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:&quot;HNBA &amp; GI&quot;;font-size:10.0pt;"><span style="line-height:150%;">Mr. Harindra Ramasinghe, Chief Business Officer – Advisor Distribution Channel, emphasized the significance of the relocations in enhancing customer experience. "At HNB Assurance, we are constantly striving to exceed customer expectations and deliver exceptional value. Last year, we were honored for our pioneering Insurance Distribution initiative at the prestigious Emerging Asia Insurance Awards, a recognition which underscores our commitment not only to expansion but also for being innovative with our Distribution Strategy. The relocation of our branches in Nugegoda and Nuwara Eliya enables us to build closer relationships with our customers and provide them with unparalleled support and assistance. With a branch network of 69 branches and an advisor force in excess of 3500, the advisor distribution channel at HNBA has consistently displayed growth and innovation. I extend my heartfelt appreciation for the dedication and hard work of our teams and convey my best wishes for success to both branch teams.”</span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%;text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:&quot;HNBA &amp; GI&quot;;font-size:10.0pt;"><span style="line-height:150%;">The Nugegoda branch is now located at 69, S da S Jayasingha Mawatha, Kohuwala, Nugegoda, while the Nuwara Eliya branch has been relocated to 31/1/1, Lowson Street, Nuwara Eliya.&nbsp;</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>

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29

Mar

HNB Assurance Hosts Liya Harasara Event in Pujapitiya

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;">HNB Assurance PLC, recently organized a special event in celebration of International Women's Day, in Pujapitiya, Kandy. The event, which took place in collaboration with the Pujapitiya Provincial Council, aimed to empower and inspire women in the local community.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;">The event marked the launch of the 12th edition of “Liya Harasara”, an annual initiative dedicated to acknowledging and supporting the contributions of women along with the remarkable essence of womanhood, while celebrating International Women’s Day. Additionally, "Liya Harasara" seeks to recognize the achievements of women across various fields and foster an environment of empowerment and inclusivity.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;">Featuring insightful sessions facilitated by distinguished individuals in their respective fields, Apsari Tillakaratne, addressed the gathering and shared personal insights from her life on how to overcome challenges. Sunethra Kumari shared her expertise, providing valuable insights into beauty and self-care practices while W.M. Sarani Pushpakumara, delivered an informative session on the importance of nutrition for overall well-being.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;">Attendees from the vicinity of Pujapitiya had the opportunity to engage with the facilitators, learn from their expertise, and participate in discussions aimed at promoting women's empowerment and holistic well-being. The event served as a platform for women to connect, share experiences and inspire each other towards personal and professional growth.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;">HNB Assurance remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote gender equality, empower women and contribute to the well-being of communities across Sri Lanka. Additionally, the company also offers special benefits to females for new policies obtained during the month of March and April, 2024.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>

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19

Mar

HNB Assurance Celebrates First Anniversary of Empowering Women with In.She

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;">HNB Assurance PLC proudly celebrated the first anniversary of its groundbreaking women empowerment program, In.she. This initiative, designed to uplift and support women within both the insurance industry and the company, aims to foster gender equality and diversity.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;">Launched on March 8<sup>th</sup>, 2023, in celebration of International Women's Day, In.she has exemplified HNB Assurance's commitment to creating an inclusive workplace and empowering women to excel in their careers. The program's first-year celebration, held at the Royal MAS Arena, set the stage for a continued journey of empowerment and growth.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;">In recognition of its efforts, HNB Assurance was recognized as one of the female-friendly workplaces to work in 2023, a testament to the company's support for women's advancement and well-being.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;">The first anniversary celebration, themed "Glamor Galore," showcased a fashion show featuring designs and models from within the company's talented staff. Additionally, a panel discussion was hosted during the event, featuring esteemed personalities such as Yureni Noshika, Chathurika Peries, Ruchira Karunarathne and Dilini Jayasuriya.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;">Mr. Lasitha Wimalaratne, CEO of HNBA, sharing his thoughts at the first year anniversary of In.She, stated, "</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;">At HNB Assurance, we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where every individual, irrespective of gender, has the opportunity to excel. However, we must acknowledge that there are specific challenges that disproportionately impact women due to social and cultural factors, a key feature of our In.She program is to address and overcome these obstacles by providing support and resources required."</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;">Mr.</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;">Navin Rupasinghe, Head of Human Resources / Assistant General Manager of HNBA, added, "Our journey with In.She has been incredibly rewarding and we are thrilled to celebrate its first anniversary. Through this program, we have witnessed the remarkable potential of our female workforce. I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate the In.She team for their efforts and passion in driving this initiative, let me also remind and emphasize that the management stands firmly behind this endeavor, offering complete support to ensure its continued success.”</span><o:p></o:p></p>

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