L&D as a Growth Strategy: Key Takeaways from the Business Coffee
On June 4, 2025, a business coffee meeting was held for business leaders and HR directors on the topic: “L&D – A Strategic Vector for Sustainable Business Development.” The event was organized by the HR Brand Award and Eclectic Talents Group.
Smart Solutions also joined as a partner and set up a booth — an interview zone — where they discussed critical issues in recruitment and top management adaptation during challenging times for businesses.
The event brought together around 100 participants — CEOs, HR directors, and heads of L&D departments. The central focus was on investing in team learning as a strategic response to market uncertainty. Key topics included the development of soft skills as the foundation for adaptability, effective leadership, and team collaboration; the integration of artificial intelligence into training processes; youth support; the formation of meta-skills; and the transition to skill-based organizations.
Larisa Onypko, Head of the HR Brand Award in Ukraine, shared her main insights from the event. According to her, the key takeaways for every L&D leader include: developing a growth mindset culture, moving toward skills-based organizations, and adopting new approaches to soft skills development.
“Today’s case studies show how companies are already creating environments for growth: they help people recognize their own need for development, engage employee communities in learning, and integrate AI into onboarding, training, and skills development. This is not about expenses — it’s about investments. Investments in teams that can act under pressure, think flexibly, take responsibility, and find meaning in their work. Because it’s meaning that keeps people in companies — and in the country — today,” said Larisa Onypko.
Among the speakers, Iryna Hnutova, co-founder of AI Consult, raised a pressing question: “The AI Generation: How to Train Zoomers in a World Without Entry-Level Jobs.” She highlighted the challenges and trends in learning for the AI generation. According to her, the market demands talent “here and now,” making AI-enhanced learning one of the key trends — accelerating skill acquisition, personalizing learning paths, and reducing costs.
Yurii Yurchenko, Leader of Global People Development at DataArt, emphasized the importance of soft skills as the basis for team synergy. In his talk, “How and Why Soft Skills Became Our Superpower,” he explained how the company systematically integrates communication skills development into the professional growth of its specialists.
Daria Reznyk, Head of Talent Growth and Development at Intellias, spoke about growth mindset as a company’s internal power. In her case study “Growth Mindset in a Skill-Driven Organization,” she showed how a strategic focus on skills development enables adaptation to changing market conditions and business scaling.
She also emphasized that this year, a significant number of HR Brand Award finalists have showcased projects related to talent development, youth support, and the creation of long-term learning programs. This is a clear marker of change in business culture: companies are beginning to view development not as a trend, but as a strategic necessity.
The business breakfast was supported by partners: Fillin, Ukrainian School of Governance, INGO Insurance, Ascania FMCG, and media partners dsnews.ua, 44.ua, and Hurma.
