Case Study: Rakuten scales global training and transforms reporting with Absorb LMS

How Absorb transformed Rakuten's global training efforts

Rakuten Group Inc., a Tokyo‑based technology conglomerate of 70+ businesses with tens of thousands of employees worldwide, struggled to deliver consistent, measurable training at scale because it had no LMS and relied on manual tools like spreadsheets and SharePoint. That lack of centralized tracking, reporting and assignment hindered visibility, compliance and the GTMI team’s ability to expand learning across regions and business units.

Rakuten implemented Absorb LMS in 2021 and launched “Optimism University,” adding Absorb Analyze, Workday and Udemy integrations, regional portals, Learning Ambassadors, targeted communications and centralized support. The platform drove major gains — site traffic rose 299% in 2021 and 51% in 2022, learners from 24 countries grew to 41, course completions and learner diversity increased, survey effectiveness stayed around 90%+, NPS remained strong — while saving admin time and enabling data‑driven stakeholder reporting and strategic planning.

Rakuten

Kim Plue

Director of Global Talent Management & Operations