The Challenge
Suntory identified a growing gap in digital commerce capability across its global marketing and sales teams.
Teams were small and distributed, often just one or two people per market, with digital maturity inconsistent and generally low. Valuable knowledge existed, but it was fragmented across regions and often duplicated locally.
Existing learning lacked traction, with no embedded culture of engagement or follow-through.
At the same time, a new platform opportunity was emerging, with a Saba LMS and EdCast LXP rollout creating a global relaunch window.
The challenge was not simply content. It was how to turn fragmented knowledge and underused platforms into a scalable global capability engine.
Connecting knowledge, capability, and digital growth across global markets.
The Approach
The focus shifted from building more content to designing a scalable, capability-driven learning ecosystem.
Reframing the Problem
The approach moved from content creation to capability building – prioritising curation over creation, and aligning existing assets into a connected ecosystem.
Designing the Learning Ecosystem
The Digital Commerce Academy was repositioned as a global hub, enabling markets to share, reuse, and build on knowledge through structured pathways aligned to real business needs.
Building for Scale and Sustainability
A phased roadmap and operating model were introduced, ensuring the platform could launch effectively, embed engagement, and scale over time.
The Solution
Aristo defined the strategy, structure, and operating model for the Digital Commerce Academy, ensuring both immediate impact and long-term scalability.
- Repositioned the DCA from a content repository to a capability-led learning ecosystem
- Aligned internal playbooks, third-party content, and local market expertise into a single structured model
- Designed learning pathways linked to real business activities (e.g. digital sales conversations, ecommerce execution)
- Developed a phased roadmap aligned to EdCast rollout and long-term growth
- Structured taxonomy, content architecture, and learner journeys for usability and scale
- Advised on UX, analytics, tracking, and reporting to ensure platform effectiveness from launch
- Ensured administrative readiness, including completion tracking and reporting integrity
- Introduced “DCA as a service” model, enabling markets to request support and contribute content
- Established intake processes and community channels to support ongoing engagement and contribution
The Outcome
The Digital Commerce Academy was transformed from an under-defined initiative into a clear, scalable global strategy aligned to platform rollout.
A structured content and curation model enabled rapid deployment while creating a strong narrative for stakeholder engagement and buy-in.
The approach shifted the organisation from content production to capability building, enabling global reuse of local expertise and reducing duplication across markets.
A foundation was established for data-led learning, improved engagement, and long-term measurement of impact and return on investment.
The platform is now positioned to grow with the business, adapt to evolving market needs, and continuously improve through curation and feedback.
Key Highlights
Global Capability Model Defined
Shift from content to capability-driven learning
Fragmentation Eliminated
Global reuse of local knowledge and expertise
Platform Relaunch Enabled
Aligned to Saba LMS and EdCast rollout
Scalable Operating Model
Designed for long-term growth, adoption, and optimisation
