How an agile HR strategy is driving business growth companies
18/10/2024
In an era of rapid disruption, agility has become a critical factor in business success. As organizations across industries face the realities of technological shifts, economic turbulence, and changing workforce dynamics, agile HR strategies are helping companies adapt, innovate, and thrive. Two such companies—Virgin Australia and Carman’s—are excellent examples of how embracing agility in HR can drive business growth.
Virgin Australia: Leading Change with Core Values and Data-Driven Decisions
After the massive disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Virgin Australia went through a significant transformation. But instead of frequent, chaotic shifts, the airline focused on evolving its strategies while staying grounded in its core values.
- The Virgin Flair: Central to Virgin’s agile HR approach is its Virgin Flair strategy, which puts employees at the heart of the company’s transformation. The HR team re-established company values through a collaborative process involving employees; ensuring that the organization’s identity and behaviors were clear. This approach gave employees a sense of stability even during times of uncertainty.
- Recognition and Engagement: Virgin introduced a quarterly recognition program to align employees with the company’s values, helping maintain engagement and focus even as the business environment changed
- Data-Driven Approach: Virgin Australia adopted a data-driven strategy to ensure HR initiatives met the needs of different employee groups. By segmenting its workforce into personas based on career stages, Virgin was able to tailor HR solutions effectively—whether addressing younger employees or those closer to retirement. This allows for a more personalized employee experience, enhancing overall workforce satisfaction
Key Takeaway: Virgin Australia’s agile HR strategy focuses on aligning employees with core values while leveraging data to customize its approach to different workforce segments. This approach keeps employees engaged, fosters stability and ensures HR initiatives align with the company’s broader goals.
Carman’s: Agile by Design with a Focus on Innovation and Wellbeing
At Carman’s, a leading breakfast food company, HR plays a crucial role in ensuring the organization remains agile and resilient. As a company built on innovation, Carman’s HR team adopts design thinking principles to craft strategies that not only respond to change but also drive the business forward.
- Design Thinking for HR: Lainie Tayler, Chief of Staff at Carman’s, explains that HR initiatives are crafted using the Double Diamond model of design thinking. This model separates problem-solving into four phases: Discover, Define, Develop, and Deliver. By approaching HR challenges through this lens, Carman’s ensures that its strategies are not just reactive, but innovative and data-driven
- Example: When faced with higher turnover rates, Carman’s HR team used surveys and employee interviews to explore underlying issues, such as career development opportunities and work-life balance. They then developed and tested solutions—like professional development programs and flexible work hours—before scaling them company-wide
- Focus on Wellbeing and Flexibility: Carman’s also places a strong emphasis on employee wellbeing. Recognizing the impact of external stressors, such as the cost-of-living crisis, the company has implemented internal support mechanisms, including financial webinars and enhanced flexible work options. By prioritizing employee health and happiness, Carman’s fosters an agile mindset within its workforce, making it easier to navigate external challenges
Key Takeaway: Carman’s HR team uses design thinking to create flexible, innovative solutions that address employee needs. By focusing on wellbeing and professional growth; they ensure their workforce is agile and capable of driving business success, even in turbulent times.
The Power of Agile HR: A Common Thread
- Employee-Centric Design: Both companies put employees at the center of their strategies. Virgin Australia focuses on core values and recognition, while Carman’s uses design thinking to address employee needs in innovative ways.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Whether through employee personas or feedback loops, both organizations rely on data insights to guide their HR strategies and ensure initiatives are tailored and effective.
- Flexibility and Wellbeing: Both Virgin and Carman’s emphasize the importance of flexibility—from recognition programs to wellbeing initiatives—ensuring employees are supported and agile enough to navigate challenges.
By embracing agile HR practices, both Virgin Australia and Carman are setting an example for how organizations can not only survive but thrive in an ever-changing business landscape.
NIC Global: Helping You Build an Agile HR Strategy
At NIC Global, we believe that agility is key to business success. Whether it’s redesigning leadership development programs, implementing flexible work models, or developing employee recognition systems; our HR solutions are designed to keep your workforce engaged, resilient, and aligned with business goals.
Ready to make your HR strategy more agile? Contact us today to explore how we can help your organization build a more adaptive, future-proof workforce.
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