“Making Work Enjoyable and Rewarding” DIMO’S HR VALUE PROPOSITION DELIVERS GOLD AT HR AWARDS 2012
DIMO, a corporate with a legacy that extends over 73 years continues to be a dynamic leader, propelled by a visionary Chairman and powered by an energized team. With a reputation for its Human Resources practices, DIMO has been consistently recognised at the HRM Awards held by the Association of Human Resource Professionals. At the HRM Awards 2012, DIMO once again demonstrated its leadership and was recognised as an Overall Gold winner.
“We are exceptionally pleased because not only have we won the award this year but have been successful in retaining the award from last year”, says Ms. Dilrukshi Kurukulasuriya, General Manager Human Resources of DIMO. “At DIMO we believe and strive for excellence but that does not mean we compro- mise on relationships and engagement amongst ourselves. In fact, our HR tagline is ‘ making work enjoyable and rewarding’ and it is this value proposition that is embedded into every aspect of our culture, strategies and activities”.
DIMO has a heritage that harks back to 1939. It is a mature corporate that has stood the test of time; characteristically it is prudent and yet dynamic. It is this balance of prudence and dynamism that has defined DIMO’s commercial success over the years. “It also means that we have a place for all generations at DIMO, and this is in essence real diversity because DIMO is an employer that embraces the young and the matured equally, providing the right culture for all to thrive in”, explains Ms. Kurukulasuriya.
Diversity is one word that well defines DIMO. From a commercial perspective DIMO operates in a multitude of sectors - from lighting, projects, agri-machinery, marine and power solutions, building management systems, fluid manage- ment, medical engineering, industrial and railway solutions, construction and mining machinery, storage and material handling amongst others - whilst its core operations revolve around automobile sales and service.
The diversity of its service offer poses a challenge in sourcing and retaining human resources. “Indeed, this diversity demands that in every aspect of the HR function we have to do things differently because we need to devise strategies and programmes that are relevant and palatable to a diverse cross-section of employees, for example technical, knowledge workers and those from a medical background.
We are always devising unique methods to drive the momentum, to attract the best, develop them to perform exceptionally and to retain our staff by creating a workplace that is vibrant, challenging and yet enjoyable”, notes Ms. Kurukulasuriya.
As a company that is very much perceived as stereotypically male dominated, DIMO has been actively striving to enhance its gender diversity. “We have a coherent plan in place to enlarge our female workforce. Currently, we have an average 10- 11% female population but we are aiming to raise this to 15% over the next two years in a bid to create a more balanced workforce, explains Ms. Kurukulasuriya.
“In fact, we have planned a programme where we will identify and educate females on technical skills. We believe that by empowering women with the right skills we can create a workplace where gender is irrelevant”. As an equal opportunity employer, DIMO is perceptive of the need to integrate people from all walks of life including those who are differently abled, with only skills, attitude and aptitude defining their capacity to contribute to corporate objectives.
DIMO is an employer of choice to anyone who is serious about developing a long term career says Ms. Kurukulasuriya. And indeed DIMO has HR practices to enable career development. “Our medical scheme is by far unparalleled.
We have a doctor come in everyday, so that our employees can get in-house medical attention including medical tests by qualified professionals. It is this sense of commitment that also pervades in the area of Health & Safety. Driven by a stringent H&S policy, DIMO conducts periodic audits, risk assessments and competitions at the workshops to ensure compliance. “Our focus on H& S has delivered results”, says Ms. Kurukulasuriya, “we have had no major H& S issues or loss of work days over the past year”, she notes.
Training and Development takes centre stage at DIMO, particularly because the company is determined to create a platform where corporate objectives are met whilst delivering to the employees their own individual objectives for career advancement and growth. The company supports employees through intensive education and development programmes, both in Sri Lanka and abroad.
With international collaborators and principles across the world, DIMO has access to some of the best training facilities in each of the respective fields in which it operates. To drive innovation and healthy competitions amongst the employees, DIMO conducts annually an internal employee appreciation programme that seeks to recognise the employer of the year. “But its’ not just the big wins that we celebrate”, says Ms. Kurukulasuriya, “we make it a point to come together at least every month to celebrate even the small wins. Its this togetherness that allows us to prosper”, she notes.
“This accolade – the Overall Gold at the HRM Awards – is the result of our Management’s commitment and of course our Chairman’s vision. The belief at DIMO is that HR is an allencompassing activity that is strategically aligned to the rest of the corporate strategies.
DIMO’s Management believes in HR and has the passion to drive development in this area. Practice of our open door policy truly epitomizes the reality of the concept, we believe in stringent performance management as a means to challenge people and to expand their capabilities. Of course, this win would not be possible, if not for the very energized and dynamic HR team that understands the need of the hour and supports every business initiative of the organization” notes Ms. Kurukulasuriya.
“Working at DIMO is not just a job, its’ a happy journey”, ends Ms. Kurukulasuriya.