Hitachi invests in personalised development to retain key staff

Citation

(2003), "Hitachi invests in personalised development to retain key staff", Journal of European Industrial Training, Vol. 27 No. 7. https://doi.org/10.1108/jeit.2003.00327gab.007

Hitachi invests in personalised development to retain key staff

Hitachi invests in personalised development to retain key staff

Hitachi Europe's electronic-components group has introduced a programme of development workshops involving individual coaching for managers, which it believes will aid retention of its most talented employees.

The company teamed up with occupational psychologists Pearn Kandola to create the new programme because it wanted a more consistent and personalised approach to developing people for senior positions. Its aim was to move up a gear from existing performance-management and training methods based on key competencies, and also to demonstrate a commitment to staff at a time when the semi-conductor industry is experiencing a slow-down.

"Our people are very marketable, so while we are being careful with costs we recognise that our long-term success depends on continuing to invest in them," explained Gifford Tanser, of Hitachi's human-resource group.

The workshops focus on interpersonal styles and feedback skills, and give managers insight for preparing a personal-development plan. Individual coaching sessions with a psychologist then help managers to ensure that priorities are covered and acted upon.

Coaching is a key element in the process, according to Martin Galpin, of Pearn Kandola. "Our research has shown that the way development centres are followed up and the support participants receive is a major factor in their success," he said.

After three events, anecdotal evidence and 360-degree evaluation point to changes in behaviour, but the biggest endorsement is the response of the 18 managers who have taken part.

"People are bowled over by the level of commitment to them both in expenditure and the involvement of top management. Although the process represents a significant investment it is worth it purely in terms of retaining key people ready for when the market picks up again," said Gifford Tanser.

Hitachi continues to run the workshops following the formation in April of Renesas Technology Corporation, a joint venture with Mitsubishi to establish a new semi-conductor business.