In 2008, acccording to FORTUNE Magazine, Genentech was voted again to be the top 100 places to work in. This year they are ranked 5th place. To give you an idea of the immensity of this ranking, a total of 100,000 workers from 446 companies evaluated their employers.

Rather than just creating a whole benefits and compensation plan, it is much better to just study what why they have done correctly and learn from them.

Business Profile:
Researches and develops drugs that cure diseases.

Culture: 

  • Having a clear sense of purpose in their jobs, which is to develop safer and more effective therapies through their drug discovery efforts, especially in serious or live threatening illnesses. This clarity of vision is constantly transmitted to remind all staff, right down to the janitors that they have a purpose in reaching that goal.
  • Causal work environment; Everyday is “Dress Down” day. Even the CEO dresses in jeans and sneakers.
    Encourages freedom to make intelligent risk-taking.
  • Employees can ask any questions “Why” and “Why not?”
  • They celebrate major milestones or wins in their company, sometimes even with celebrity bands.
  • Supports employee community service and donations.
  • Posters of their patients are placed throughout of their workplace to remind employees of their mission.

Benefits:

  • Staff are given an average of 160hrs/yr Professional Training
  • Free access to full concierge service who can provide different services such as planning celebrations and finding hard to get tickets.
  • Onsite child care.
  • Doggie day care.
  • Daycare and nursing rooms.
  • Company store on campus.
  • Free parking.
  • Staff are given up to 20% on their work week to pursue their pet projects.
  • 6 weeks of paid sabbatical for every six years of service.
  • Onsite fitness centre.
  • Free coffee and iced tea.
  • Ho-Hos party on every Friday evening to get to socialise with co-workers or meet new friends
  • Tuition Assitance Program, where 100% of costs of up to $10,000/yr is reimbursed.
  • Bring your daughters and sons to work day is celebrated regularly.
  • 95% of  employees are shareholders.
  • Weekly polls are conducted to ensure that complaints are surfaced and things are working in the company. They are usually quickly dealt with.

Rewards:

  • Employee referral programs of up to $2000 are given to employees who refer new hires.
  • Additional cash bonus acknowledging key employees who contribute exceedingly above their responsibilities.

I understand that not all companies are able to afford similar benefits offered by Genentech because to have these systems in place is costly. However, they can be a huge reason for your staff to stay long term with you, especially when they know you care about them.

Popularity: 5% [?]

SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

How to Slash Staff Turnover And Create Transformational

Change In Your Team Performance

This is Part 2 of the 7 Deadly Secrets To Creating a Dynamic And Cohesive Team.

2. Shared Values (Code of Honour)

What are Core Values that each person in the team share? Do they have a clear understanding of it and are able to recite them by heart? This is important because it governs how they will conduct themselves infront of the team. Without a strong Code of Honour, teams will start to break under pressure.

Here is a list of a Sample Code of Honour that are extremely useful. Explanations are in brackets
a. Energy is important! (When people are energetic, they create a positive charge to the environment).
b. Speak Supportively and with Good Purpose.
c. Take Personal Responsibility for all outcomes. Do Not Lay Blame, Justify or Complain!
d. Celebrate every WIN.
e. When there are problems, look to the system first before looking at the person. (see point 4 below)
f. Allow others to love and support me while I love and support others.
g. Speak the truth with Compassion (This is important when you need to correct a colleague. Even though you think you are right, it is important to win their hearts first and then correct the mistake. Many fall into the trap of “self-righteousness’ and just correct a person without thinking about the other person’s feelings.)

“You may have a fantastic benefits scheme but without a strong work culture and a Code of Honour, you will not be able to grow your team through the tough times.”
- Kenneth Kwan

If you want to read the rest of this article, just fill up your name and email address in the FREE special report above!

 

Popularity: 4% [?]

SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend