L’Oréal keeps employees happy by listening to new ideas, unlike others

By Andrew MCDOUGALL

- Last updated on GMT

Listening to employees and making them feel valued makes them happy. Who knew?
Listening to employees and making them feel valued makes them happy. Who knew?

Related tags United kingdom

L’Oréal research in the UK has revealed that companies face losing employees if they are not willing to recognise and embrace their innovations and ideas.

The French beauty firm’s UK arm carried out the survey and found that people feel that they are more likely to be valued and have their ideas listened to at a small- or medium- sized business than a large one; with L’Oréal claiming to be an exception.

“The research gives a powerful insight into today’s employees, and shows how strongly Brits want to have their ideas heard and be involved in company strategy,”​ says UK & Ireland country manager Jeremy Schwartz.

“Large FMCG organisations like ours are often considered powerhouses of process but at L’Oréal we’re driven more by passion and contribution than process and conformity. We love to say ‘yes’ to a great idea and a strong business case. ”

Entrepreneurialism

In a bid to ward off high staff turnover and dissatisfaction in the ranks, L’Oréal says it looks to create a ‘start-up company culture’ within the Group focused on building a team of what Schwartz coins ‘intrapreneurs’.

This way, the cosmetics giant hopes to encourage workers to practice entrepreneurialism within the security of their full-time jobs, and the company promises to genuinely consider these; claiming to have received 300 ideas regarding new product concepts, marketing and brand initiatives, and packaging ideas to drive the business.

Revelations

L’Oréal’s research revealed that three-quarters of British people are more concerned about having their contributions valued at work than a good salary or benefits package.

More than a third want the opportunity to have their ideas heard by their employers and one in four is currently sitting on ideas that they think would be good for business.

With many larger firms not offering a platform for employees to air their ideas, it is not surprising that 73 per cent of workers feel you can only really demonstrate creative and entrepreneurial initiative in smaller companies.

Add to that, a lack of inspiration from managers, and the majority of people are more likely to look outside their company for role models and inspiration

In a stark warning to employers, a quarter of the people surveyed said they feel undervalued, while 30 per cent said they felt unable to fulfil their full potential with their current company and plan to move on within the next year, to a company that nurture ideas.

Related topics Business & Financial

Related news