Picture this: you’ve been thinking about an idea for months. It’s bold, it’s exciting – but you’re unsure if it will work. Now imagine having the freedom to try it, test it out, knowing that success isn’t the only goal. That’s the spirit of experimentation we embrace.
At MetLife, we believe that experimenting isn’t just about achieving outcomes – it's about learning, adapting, and driving innovation. Through the Experimentation Fund, we are encouraged to think big, act boldly, and embrace the journey of trying something new.
Experimenting @ MetLife
Launched in 2022, the Experimentation Fund is a $1 million annual program designed to support innovation globally across MetLife. The fund empowers us to propose and test ideas that could shape the way we work and serve our customers.
Each region has dedicated fund managers who review experiment submissions – and yes, anyone can submit! From enhancing customer service and streamlining claims to reimagining internal processes for greater efficiency, the fund helps bring bold ideas to life, but it doesn’t stop there. To set our teams up for success, we offer experimentation simulation training to help equip employees with practical skills, a collaborative mindset, and a clear understanding of what it means to experiment effectively – think hypothesizing, pressure testing, measuring success, and remembering that even unselected ideas provide valuable insights. Because at MetLife, experiments never fail – they teach us.
Fueling Innovation, One Experiment at a Time
Since its inception, the Experimentation Fund has sparked a culture of curiosity and creativity:
- $3.3 million in funding has been approved to support innovative projects since the program launched.
- 1292 ideas have been submitted to date.
- 292 experiments have been funded globally over the past three years.
And while the numbers give a glimpse into the impact of the Experimentation Fund, they are just the beginning. Behind each submission is a story of creativity, collaboration, and a drive to make things better for our customers and colleagues alike. Here are just a few of those stories in action:
Exploring New Frontiers in the Metaverse
With support from the Experimentation Fund, MetLife Korea launched a gamified virtual space in the metaverse to reimagine how we connect with associates, agents, and customers. The innovative platform combines work and play, offering tools like video chatting, file sharing, and hosting online seminars or town hall meetings for up to 5,000 users. By experimenting with virtual meetings, conferences, and an agent help desk, the team is uncovering insights to inform new sales models and strengthen MetLife’s digital edge – all while exploring the potential of digital-first engagement.
Bringing Insurance to Life with MetLife Bangladesh's First Comic Book
In Bangladesh, a team saw an opportunity to change the way insurance is perceived. With less than 1% of the population insured and a common perception that insurance is complex and untrustworthy, they recognized that many people were missing out on the protection insurance provides. Supported by the Experimentation Fund, they created the country’s first ever insurance-focused comic book – a fun, relatable tool that simplifies insurance concepts and helps families understand how to maximize its benefits. Now a key resource for agents, it highlights how bold experimentation, and collaboration can transform ideas into impactful tools.
Streamlining Finance with Teamwork and Technology
At our Center of Excellence office in Poland, preparing journals for bank transactions used to be a manual, time-consuming process. With support from the Experimentation Fund, a team developed an initial concept for a global data integration tool to simplify operations and improve efficiency. Partnering with IT and collaborating with teams across MetLife, they created a cloud-based solution that helped streamline the process. Today, posting journals takes just minutes, unlocking valuable time for teams to focus on more impactful work. It proves that when teamwork and innovation come together, even the most tedious tasks can be transformed into seamless solutions.
At MetLife, we believe that experimenting isn’t just a skill – it's a mindset that fuels how we work, solve problems, and grow together. By fostering a culture that values and supports learning and innovation, we are able to challenge the status quo and drive meaningful change, one experiment at a time.
Looking for a workplace that empowers you to turn bold ideas into real impact? Explore opportunities at MetLife or join our talent community to stay up to date on open roles.
