POINT: Successful Organizations Put People First |
Intel does it. So does Microsoft, Motorola, W.L. Gore & Associates, Southwest Airlines, Ben & Jerry’s Homemade, Hewlett-Packard, Lincoln Electric, and Starbucks. What is it? These companies pursue “people-first” strategies.There is an increasing amount of evidence that successful organizations put people first. Why? Astute managers have come to learn that their organization’s employees are its only true competitive advantage. Competitors can match most organizations’ products, processes, locations, distributions channels, and the like. What’s far more difficult to copy is a workforce made up of highly knowledgeable and motivated people. The characteristic that differentiates successful companies from their less successful counterparts in almost every industry is the quality of the people they’re able to get and keep. What kinds of practices differentiate people-first organizations? We can list at least four: (1) They value cultural diversity. They actively seek a diverse workforce based on age, gender, and race. (2) They are family-friendly. They help employees balance work and personal responsibilities through such programs as flexible work schedules and on-site child-care facilities. (3) They invest in employee training. These organizations spend heavily to make sure employee skills levels are kept current. This not only ensures that employees can handle the latest technologies and processes for the organization but that employees will be marketable to other employers. (4) People-first organizations empower their employees. They push authority and responsibility down to the lowest levels.Organizations that put people first have a more dedicated and committed workforce. This, in tour, converts into higher employee productivity and satisfaction. These employees are willing to put forth the extra effort—to do whatever is necessary to see that their jobs are done properly and...