Aligning Learning and Business Goals at Cinemark

For HR professionals focused on learning, aligning learning goals with the goals of the business is a constant struggle.  It’s something Sid Srivastava , the Vice President of Human Resources at Cinemark, knows all too well.  He says learning has to mitigate and address concerns and meet the needs of the business.  HR Exchange Network Editor Mason Stevenson sat down with Srivastava to discuss the topic.  In fact, Srivastava will be presenting much more on the subject during HR Exchange Live:  Corporate Learning, a free-to-attend online event focused on the learning function within HR.  To register for free, click here.

Mason Stevenson

So, my first question to you is this:  if you were to give a State of Learning speech similar to the president’s State of the Union, what would you say is the state of the function?

Sid Srivastava

We look at learning as a strategic advantage for the company.  How do we create a learning organization?   Within Cinemark, that is something that has been recognized by the CEO, by the leadership team and everyone else.  The fact that we are a partner to the business takes it to the next level.

Mason Stevenson

What are the challenges that keep you up at night?

Sid Srivastava

I don’t know how much you know about Cinemark, but we are now making a foray into new technologies like Virtual Reality.  We are trying to really modernize the whole experience for our guests.  As a result, we are constantly training employees.

Now, we're not using VR as a training tool.  But we do hire people who manage VR and they have to be trained, but who knows what will happen in the future.

Mason Stevenson

What is the reputation of learning at Cinemark?  Is it something folks put a lot of effort into?

Sid Srivastava

You know, learning plays a big role here.  At every step, there is learning that takes place. I like to say that we are a learning factory. 

Mason Stevenson

What has been the impact of the generational divide on learning at Cinemark?

Sid Srivastava

We hire about 20,000 people every year and about 20,000 people leave us every year because of the nature of our industry.  We have a lot of millennials and Gen Zs working for us.  As a result, we’re constantly training them. So, how do we keep them up to speed on the latest and greatest on guest services and other technologies?  Again, we’re a learning factory. 

Learning is a big deal for us.  I mean, we invest a lot of money, a lot of time and labor costs.  The good thing is the CEO wants it.  At the end of the day, learning is one of the most important things.  The CEO and I together really focus on this idea of creating a learning organization.

Sid Srivastava is a speaker for HR Exchange Live: Corporate Learning.  He will be presenting alongside Brandon Hobby, the Director of Organizational Capability for Cinemark.  Their presentation is entitled "Learning Eye to Eye:  How to Align Learning Strategies with your company's Business Goals".

The free-to-attend online event is set for September 19 & 20, 2018. Click here to register.