Companies tap into the value of being good employers
(SINGAPORE) Roaring economies and increasing competition for talent make the results of this year's Hewitt Best Employers Award even more significant.
It's not rocket science, but employers realise that in an increasingly competitive marketplace, you need to set yourself apart to attract quality staff.
'This is a story about how to create an environment in your business that enables your people to contribute their best,' the head of Hewitt Consulting's Asia Talent and Consulting Practice, Andrew Bell, said at the awards presentation last night.
This is borne out by the fact that three times as many organisations took part in the latest survey than the year before - 750 organisations representing 1.7 million employees took part, versus 250 organisations previously.
In an increasingly tight labour market, this suggests that organisations are beginning to see the importance of being ranked highly as good employers so people will join them.
It may come as no surprise that prominent among the top 10 best employers are organisations in the service industry, with half of the list made up of hotels. This shows that organisations with a strong customer focus also tend to be enlightened employers.
But what is significant in the latest results is the spread of industries among the remaining five best organisations.
The organisations making up the top 10 range from Singapore Prison Service to alcoholic beverage producer Diageo to fast-food restaurant McDonald's.
Amid the diverse range of companies ranked as best employers by their own employees, the common theme is a recognition that to build a successful organisation, a strong link must be made between creating a better work environment and sustaining a business.
The basis of this ranges from valuing people as the sole asset of the organisation as Best Employer Award winner Four Seasons Singapore does, to energising and empowering and inspiring their people as winners of the other awards like McDonald's and Diageo have done.
Nonetheless, the basis of this is the understanding that staff come first. Award winner Four Seasons Singapore, in particular, sets itself apart with its declaration that the value of the hotel is derived from its staff. The strong link between valuing the staff and a good position in the rankings is proof that management must not neglect this crucial factor.
The survey also shows that other factors are important as well. Those most often quoted were quality of leadership, organisational culture and the attraction of talent, Mr Bell said.
If the 40-something managing director of a huge multinational like McDonald's can dress in a Spiderman suit to ensure he reflects the fun vibe that is a part of his organisation, there really is no excuse for other organisations who aspire to win the best employer awards to do any less.
