Are people at heart of your business?

In recent weeks, The Courier has run a series of articles explaining the role of Human Resource Management (HRM) in business. These have been linked to the upcoming cHeRries awards, which will celebrate and recognise excellent examples of HRM in all sectors.

The deadline to enter the glittering event, to be held on June 1 at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, is February 18 so get your entries in now!

One company that sees the phrase of people being at the heart of the business as not an empty cliche but the reality of a successful, sustainable business is Michelin in Dundee.

The tyre manufacturer came to the city in 1972 and currently employs 860 people. “The local impact of the business is currently estimated at £45 million annually, in terms of salaries and direct purchases,” said Donald Mackenzie, factory personnel manager.

“The plant operates a 24/7 production schedule, with the capacity to make 7.5m tyres per year. The majority of the production is for export, with 15% of the production destined for markets beyond Europe.

“In a global commodity market that has over-capacity serving it, the plant has to remain competitive to ensure its longevity. This longevity can only exist because of the dedication and commitment of people at the plant.”

All employees at Michelin work together to secure performance and ensure the sustainability of the business. The company has a history of working with Unite the Union to find solutions to problems before they become a problem.

“With membership on the shop floor at 98%, this collaborative, partnership approach works for the employees and for the company,” said Donald.

“One of the key issues is workforce flexibility and how the business can absorb fluctuations in production demand.

“Each employee has time away from their workpost each month dedicated to communication, progress, development and training.

“There is a strong tradition of personal development and internal promotion, with 50% of the managerial technical team starting out as tyre makers.”

A factory environment might not be to everybody’s liking, but some of the people metrics speak volumes about the empowerment, commitment and engagement of the whole workforce.

Much work has been done to attract more females into a historically male domain, and there are 15 different nationalities represented on-site.

The respect agenda has also been a key theme, with the creation of a mutually acceptable set of behaviours, agreed and embraced across the site.

“HRM is at the heart of all of this,” said Donald. “They champion the dialogue, ensure the collaboration and adapt systems and practices to ensure the business keeps up with people’s expectations.

“The department still goes by the outdated title of personnel, simply because the company employs people and not resource.

“On the site the department is generalist, covering all the elements of employee life cycle from recruitment to retirement.

“The HR agenda is intertwined with the business agenda – if Michelin employees are not successful and happy, the business in Dundee will not be successful.

“The role of HR here is not just about processes and business practices. It is about knowing people, about understanding what is really going on, supporting colleagues through difficulties and investing time in talking.”

Donald added: “Often in an organisation, the HR contribution is unseen or perceived as “backroom”.

“The cHeRries awards provide the most fantastic opportunity to celebrate and recognise HRM and what it can add to a business.

“As a seasoned HR professional, I would encourage all businesses to give their HR department a moment in the sun, and showcase the good work that they do for their organisation.”

Tickets for the cHeRries awards can be bought online. See www.dctevents.com/ event/cherries-awards/

Donald Mackenzie.