As the Founder & CEO of SABENDER, can you tell us about the vision and mission behind these ventures?

I believe that every individual should be able to take control of their own mental health and well-being. A lot of stressful situations stem from work; 86% of workers have experienced moderate, high, or extreme stress in the past year (Headspace, 2024). When you see these staggering numbers, you understand that meditation alone will not solve all the problems. I believe that applying interpersonal skills is equally important. Understanding how to solve a conflict, say no, show compassion, and other important skills will help people manage stress a lot better. This led to the creation of our AI-infused knowledge platform, where stress management is combined with Power Skills and Leadership, supporting people to adopt new behaviours that stick and take control of their own mental health and well-being.

What unique value does SABENDER bring to the table?

When we started the business, we wanted to create a full user experience. Only companies that nurture and empower their talent are able to beat the competition. Having multiple generations at the workplace, we believe personalized learning journeys are key to success. The unique value SABENDER brings is offering bespoke suggestions and solutions for every individual user, leveraging AI technology across the platform. Our algorithms are designed in such a way that they can analyze reflections, assessments, and Q&A provided by users, as well as during times when they suffer from stress and their rationale often isn’t fully working. The algorithms also make predictions by applying statistical methods to identify behavioural patterns. AI reduces latency significantly. Preventing people from getting ill and keeping their mental well-being up doesn’t allow any delays. 

What inspired you to start the company, and how has it evolved since its inception?

I started my first business in 2002, so it is safe to say that the business has evolved tremendously. I always had the desire to make an impact. In my opinion, the best way I could do that was by helping others to build meaningful relationships. This led to my first training agency, which helped professionals build the soft skills necessary to enhance collaborations. Over the years, we started to leverage technology. Around 2009, we created our first video-based learning, which was a big thing 15 years ago. In 2018, we began onboarding Virtual Reality, which was very successful for kids but didn’t work out well for companies. And just after Covid, we began implementing AI in our offerings. I have always been a big believer in the benefits of technology in learning, and as we see GenZ unfold its career, we believe we are on the right track to engaging this new generation.

Can you share some of the most rewarding experiences or milestones you’ve achieved with the company? 

For me personally, it has definitely been the creation of our own platform. Being at the realm of this development, I truly feel we are able to provide the experience and impact I have been looking for all my life. The platform is never finished, but the benefits it offers for users are amazing. 

I am also very proud of the team we are working with. As we grew the business, we were able to attract talented people who helped us in shaping the business further. 

Working in personal development, it is very rewarding to receive feedback from users. All feedback is valuable; however, when I receive personal messages from people whose lives we were able to transform, I feel humbled and grateful.

How can groundbreaking HR technology create a real impact in the workplace? Could you share some examples of technologies that are currently leading the way?

Leveraging AI technology helps unlock a vast pool of data. We are very conscious of the technical challenges in analyzing behavioural patterns. That is why we collaborate with doctors, psychologists, neurologists, coaches and universities to mitigate the risks of bias and tunnel vision. We are able to offer HR a unique dashboard that collects and analyzes anonymous data around behaviours and emotional well-being. Instead of using expensive assessments on set moments, we provide real-time insights within all employees’ broad mental well-being spectrum. This is not only beneficial for preventative measures, but it also helps to make improvements in recruitment, retention, and talent development. 

What role does technology play in managing, nurturing, and empowering talent within a company?

AI technology plays a big role in SABENDER for several reasons.

1) It provides personalized solutions for every employee, regardless of generation, education and seniority.

2) It provides the feeling of an experience, something GenZ is very much looking for in a job.

3) It helps prevent problems from escalating as the algorithms make predictions in identifying behavioural patterns.

4) It enables HR to analyze valuable real-time data around mental well-being.

5) It provides a safe and anonymous space for people to open up about their issues. 

In today’s fast-paced world, what are some of the most crucial new skills individuals and teams need to develop to thrive?

We believe that all soft skills are important assets for every professional. In an era where digital solutions continue to grow, the interaction between people is ever more important. Understanding how to collaborate and lead effectively is pivotal for success. If I had to mention one skill that stands out to me, it would be adaptability. We have seen the impact of Covid across the globe and the sometimes devastating effects it had on people. Companies can help their employees learn how to cope with change, stress and uncertainties. Resilience skills surely help people live happier and healthier lives.