We aim to promote a culture which values, recognises and rewards outstanding performance and in which employees are supported in achieving their full potential.

Developing our people
To help them deliver their best, we encourage and support all our people in developing their capabilities to the full with a range of high quality learning and development (L&D) opportunities.  We have global guidelines for our L&D professionals and business leaders that describe a common set of principles for the design and delivery of L&D services and resources across the organisation. These guidelines aim to ensure high standards of best practice are consistently applied in the most efficient way.

The guidelines include a 5-step guide to implementation that focuses on analysing the learning needs; understanding the principles of design and development, assessing the learning options; piloting the intervention, and measuring and modifying as necessary. They also include appropriate tools for managers and examples of how to measure and assess the impacts and outcomes of L&D programmes. These range from participant feedback forms to 360o evaluation of how participants are applying their new behaviours and knowledge to their roles.

Our Vice President, Global L&D has a team of some ten people who lead the global effort. Responsibility for local implementation, based on the global approach, lies within our national companies, usually with the head of HR.

Enhancing leadership capability
We recently took a close look at our leadership development frameworks to see where improvements could be made to further strengthen our ability to manage the challenges of our business environment, now and in the future. We identified six core capabilities, on which we believe an increased focus will significantly enhance leadership abilities at all levels: passion for customers; strategic thinking; acting decisively; driving performance; working collaboratively and developing people and the organisation. Now agreed by our Senior Executive Team, these are being introduced through a series of face-to-face workshops across the organisation. They apply to all employees and will be used in performance management, leadership development, talent management, staffing and selection.

We have a range of global training programmes designed to strengthen these leadership capabilities, enhance core management skills and help our leaders develop good working relationships across the organisation. These programmes are complemented by local initiatives, which include functional or country specific aspects of leadership development.

Rewarding performance
We believe that reward is about more than remuneration. As well as providing a competitive package we also want to respond to individual needs and support a healthy work/life balance – key elements of the energising work environment that we aim to provide. Reward schemes are designed to meet varied and changing employee needs around the world.

The content of this page was externally assured by Bureau Veritas, February 2008