Stronger Together: How Sean Jarett and Becca Kim lead Learning and Development at Spotnana

Spotnana’s core value Stronger Together calls us to lead with respect and integrity, foster inclusion, and commit to lifelong learning. We believe that intentional connection and collaboration with our colleagues is pivotal to our success.

Our Learning and Development (L&D) team is led by Director of Learning & Development Sean Jarett and Specialist Becca Kim. The L&D Team at Spotnana manages company-wide enablement programs like Employee Onboarding, Manager Development, Professional Development, and Performance Management.

We spoke with Sean and Becca about the initiatives they drive together, what they enjoy about working together, and what our core value Stronger Together means to them.

What led you to form L&D at Spotnana, and how do you collaborate as a two-person team?

Director of Learning and Development Sean Jarett

Sean: “I’ve been fortunate to work with Jessica Bartlett, Spotnana’s VP of People, at previous organizations. Once Jess joined Spotnana, saw the potential, and how wonderful everyone is, she was kind enough to reach out to me to ask if I’d be interested in joining and building out a formal L&D team. After spending time with a few folks throughout the interview process and in other social settings, I realized the opportunity was too exciting to pass up. 

“The real potential and value of the L&D Team really didn’t materialize to its fullest potential until Becca joined. From our first interaction, it was clear that Becca would elevate the quality of programming, influence, and impact of our L&D resources to a point Spotnana had yet to see. In terms of how we collaborate now, it truly is a team effort. While Becca’s primary focus is on the Employee Onboarding Program, there isn’t an idea, scenario, or opportunity we don’t bounce off of each other. 

“One of the benefits of being a small team is that we’re both familiar with what the other’s short, mid, and long-term priorities are. That makes it very easy to engage each other as a sounding board or support system regardless of the initiative.”

Tell us about how you collaborate with others at Spotnana.

Specialist Becca Kim

Becca: “In our work, collaboration starts on day one. We are constantly communicating, partnering, and supporting team members throughout Spotnana. This is true whether a hiring manager is preparing a Role-Specific Onboarding Plan for a new joiner or working with a member of our People Operations team to ensure communication with a new employee is accurate, succinct, and clear. 

“Without thoughtful and proactive collaboration across all departments and levels of the business, it’s impossible to ensure our learning and enablement activities address critical needs.”

Can you please tell me about any joint projects you’re currently working on? Any that you’ve completed together?

Sean: “One of the major enhancements we’ve made to the Employee Onboarding Program is the pre-onboarding process shared with hiring managers. In order to ensure that every new joiner is set up for maximum success within their first 30, 60, and 90 days of employment, L&D partners with managers through Hiring Manager Preparation Meetings prior to their new team members’ arrivals. 

“We’ve recently implemented a standardized Role-Specific Onboarding Plan. This templatized onboarding plan allows managers to set expectations for weeks one and two as well as establish 30, 60, and 90-day goals and objectives for new joiners. We establish expectations early to promote a proactive and accountable working environment.”

Which company needs do these projects address? How do they support our mission and vision?

Becca: “We want to kickstart every new joiner’s success at Spotnana, and that responsibility is shared between L&D and our hiring managers. If our mission is to modernize the infrastructure of the travel industry, we need to ensure that our new joiners know the expectations we have for our colleagues.” 

What is something specific that you’ve accomplished together that you’re proud of?

Sean: “Over the past several months, Learning & Development, Talent Acquisition, and People Operations in both the United States and India have established a robust onboarding process that highlights the strength of our teamwork. 

“The way we worked together to develop our Employee Onboarding Program was a great example of how cross-functional collaboration is an asset to any organization.”

Becca: “Our Spotnana managers have a wealth of experience that may not always be accessible to colleagues outside their particular divisions. However, over the last couple of months, we’ve been lucky enough to tap into that well of knowledge and apply our hiring managers’ experience to our L&D initiatives.”

What does our core value “Stronger Together” mean to you?

Sean: “Stronger Together means everything in our line of work. Success as an organization and as individuals truly does take a village. We rely on each other in so many ways. It may be when a team member with decades of travel experience shares their institutional knowledge with someone who is brand new to the travel industry. It may also be when a colleague goes out of their way to ensure a team member in a different department located on the other side of the world is included in the decision-making process for a project that will impact their work. 

“We have very ambitious goals as an organization, and solving the complex challenges of the travel industry cannot be done by a single person. This is why Stronger Together is one of our most influential core values.”

Fun Facts!

• What’s the best trip you ever took and why? Becca: Christmas Markets in France and Switzerland. Christmas in Europe is actually one of the most magical things I’ve ever experienced. Hot chocolate and baguettes and cheese fondue for days! Sean: I think I’m obligated to say my honeymoon. It was a perfect balance of rest, relaxation, entertainment, activities, and food…plus my travel companion was top notch.
• What’s your favorite thing to do at the airport?  Becca: Immediately hide and snack at a lounge. Sean: Test myself to see how quickly and efficiently I can get through security.
• What’s your favorite airplane snack? Becca: Sour gummy candy. Sean: Trail mix with any kind of peanut butter morsels.
• Aisle, middle, or window seat? Becca: Aisle. Sean: Flights less than 6 hours; window. Flights more than 6 hours, aisle.
• What’s your go-to movie(s) to watch on a trip? Becca: Any of the movies from the first three phases of Marvel. Sean: United used to have Cory Wong live at the Montreux Jazz Fest in their in-flight entertainment catalog. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen it as an option any longer on my last few trips so I may be looking for something new.
• What’s the top destination on your bucket list? Becca: Rome, Italy. Sean: Switzerland.