Guide to Retaining Employees W hy Should I Stay? or How to Engage Hearts and Minds of our People in this Chaotic Peri o Back to Menu Printable Version This follows up on the discussion we had at the last large lead team meeting where John Millen agreed to work on how to engage people’s “hearts and minds” in this time of transition. In the mean time, a number of events/decisions have taken place and we believe this is critical we address the questions which is in a lot of our people’s mind : “why should I stay with P&G for the next couple of years?” This suggest ways to convince people that they should stay and proposes action steps to make it happen successfully: This recommendation is driven by feedback/input from the organisation (lots of one to one, exit interviews, culture team focus groups, coaches lunch discussions, south consumer team brand managers assessment of the current situation, hair care hopes and fears) and theories on what motivates people (Mac Lelland, …). Detailed feedback available if you wish. Our expected outcomes are twofold 1) we do not loose top performers or people with potential and 2) re-energise people and re-focus them on what a great Company P&G is to work for. Suggested way to handle the question : “why should I stay?” Step 1 : Understand the person you talk to, what is important to them, why they liked working with P&G, what has changed and why? Their mobility constraints and their personal/family situation are important. How they see their career prospects. In net, you need to know them pretty well. If it becomes a two way discussion, we have tools to help them further self assess themselves and see why P&G is the right environment for them. What has worked best has been to help them understand their Myers Briggs type and therefore understand the type of company/environment/work that suits them best. We are a large company and we value them therefore they can get what they want/need within P&G. For example, Stuart wanted working with people and feeling he could make a difference to the business while belonging to the new economy wave. Paul was more around innovation and new ventures. We could make it happen for them. Only when we have done step 1, we can move to the other steps. Step 2 : Remind them in a subtle way that the grass is still very green in P&G. This needs to be meaningful for them and based on the discovery made in step 1. Ideas to be considered : the fact that they are known and valued, our results overall, PVP, their existing/valuable network, the fact that P&G wants to invest in them, the number of varied opportunities, flexible work arrangements… Step 3 : Recognise the past and present and inspire than by creating a picture of a bright future: Recognise that we are in transition, that last year was difficult, that this is painful. Let them see that P&G is leading the way in to the 21st century and shaping the future of big international companies. All companies will have to go through this type of change if they want to compete in the future. We need to make them feel proud to belong to P&G, excite about the opportunities of the new world and create an environment of fun. We need to picture a winning company with volume/profit growth instead of the cost reduction mindset. Chris, this is where you can help in the short term to start with your views of the future. Step 4 : Excite them by showing you want them to be part and by empowering them to create the future they want: In this transition period, we have a blank sheet of paper. They can create the future. They are listened to. They can come with ideas/input that will influence the company’s future and their future. This is unique to P&G. Help them feel in control of their destiny. We know not only language but also actions will be critical. The recommended next steps: Step 1 : Convince oneself!!!. This will be achieved only if we personally believe that the future is bright. Therefore we first need to convert ourselves so that we truly believe the future is bright. We need to move to the new beginning on the transition grid. It may be useful to talk to one another to build this at personal and team levels. Step 2 : Have one on one with people (start with people at risk and with your top rated ) using the suggested approach as above with all your people. Step 3 : Create a compelling shared vision: We need a clear exciting and shared vision, including our reason for being, what we stand for and a sense of direction. We will need to work with a small team, may be the barrier busters to start with and then enrol as many people as we can. We will have to translate this vision into daily actions. Step 4 : Sort out the roles. Clarify roles to reduce duplication and increase accountability/ownership. In consumer teams, role of the marketing people (I hear you are working this at WE MDO level, any UK representative in this team?), role of the CMO people (is John Warren Piper working this, who is he involving?) In customer teams, roles of CBD people in consumer and customer and centre of expertise teams and to a lesser extent role of marketing people in consumer and customer teams. This needs to be led by a small team (consumer team leaders, JWP, JEM ??) and include input/feedback of people. Step 5 : Create a coaching culture where you grow and learn, work is appreciated, you are credited and valued. This needs to start from the top and be role modelled by us all. Step 6 : Have a training programme. This is often why people joined P&G in the first place and this is currently perceived as missing. Have a plan for each team and each function focused towards building capability. Make it very explicit. It is working in Asda and in Boots. In net, We want to have people excited about winning and delighted about what is in it for them. They will then believe they should stay working for P&G because it is great for them. Winning is about : a bright picture of the future, a vision, great results, a simplified work environment with sharing and no internal fights, a place where I can make a difference. What is in it for me? means we will need to reward the right people at the right time, show we care, appreciate, value people, create a BUZZZ where they see that what they should stay because P&G invests in me therefore they will make a difference, contribute, learn, grow and develop themselves and their capabilities. We would like to make this happen and we would love your input (by phone or video- conferencing or next time when you are in the South) before we move forward. We also need your help in starting to draw a picture of the future. We know this is entangled with WE MDO future however your first views would be helpful so that we talk from the same sheet of music. Valerie Robert and John Millen Content Author/Owner: Lisa Stilwell-LF Last Revised on 7/03/00 by Lisa Miller-LN Retention Limit: Until Superseded Copyright © 1999, Procter & Gamble, All rights reserved. . Guide to Retaining Employees W hy Should I Stay? or How to Engage Hearts and Minds of our People in this Chaotic Peri o Back to Menu Printable Version. explicit. It is working in Asda and in Boots. In net, We want to have people excited about winning and delighted about what is in it for them. They will