Even if a company needs to outsource a group of employees or a function, downsize, introduce a new technology, restructure, or redesign a business process that may move people around, it is possible to do it in a way that keeps the loyalty and energy high, turnover low and competitive spirit focused. Here are four ways to think about it. A critical success factor for building a relationship-based company is to create a culture of ownership. Important decisions are made at all levels, and care is taken to make sure that the appropriate type of decision is made at the appropriate level. Problem-solving is done collaboratively, rather than just by the senior management.
Ownership becomes a core value of the business.
Having a shared vision and strategy means more than just communicating it to the workforce. It means engaging with the workforce in building value for the direction the company is taking. This means more than a one-day retreat. It means that the company might emulate Residence Inn which, when they began their company, involved all 1,500 employees in the visioning process. They understood it, could articulate it, and certainly owned it.