As Kedibone Letsika, the people and culture director at JTI, describes it, for any organisation to thrive, investing in its people is no longer optional but essential.
Kedibone believes that the secret to employee development lies in a combination of mentorship, diverse work experiences, and listening to what employees truly want.
“To effectively develop and nurture employees, it’s essential to implement various strategies that foster engagement and growth. One of the key approaches is providing mentorship programmes that pair less experienced employees with seasoned professionals, allowing for knowledge sharing and personal development,” she explains.
Additionally, encouraging cross-functional moves can help employees gain diverse experiences and insights into different areas of the organisation, enhancing their skill sets and adaptability.
But according to her, growth doesn’t stop at local borders, as the company places a strong emphasis on exposing employees to international opportunities.
“Offering opportunities for international assignments can significantly support career growth by exposing employees to new markets, cultures, and business practices. This not only broadens their perspectives but also fosters a more global mindset within the workforce. In conjunction with these development strategies, the company prioritises employee feedback and engagement through an annual global survey on employee engagement surveys (EES),” she says.
“This survey allows employees to voice their concerns, and the feedback collected is carefully analysed by leadership teams to implement necessary improvements.”
A sense of community
On a local level, she explains how JTI takes employee engagement a step further with its annual roadshows, an initiative Kedibone says is deeply rooted in the company’s culture.
“Locally, the people and culture departments conduct annual roadshows at the beginning of the year. Currently, we are in the final stages of these roadshows, where we visit all the regions we operate in to engage with employees directly. This initiative involves spending quality time with our employees to gather feedback and understand their priorities.”
Ultimately, she believes these efforts are key to ensuring that JTI employees feel valued, heard, and equipped to succeed. “It is an opportunity for us to listen, converse, and capture what truly matters to them so that we can support them.”
“By addressing their concerns and empowering them with the resources they need, we ensure that our employees are well-equipped to bring their best selves to work. These roadshows are vital to our local culture, fostering a sense of community and commitment within the organisation.”
Overall, she notes the importance for HR practices to evolve alongside the people they serve.
“I believe that continuous feedback and engagement with employees are crucial for making sure our HR initiatives stay relevant and impactful. It’s important for me to regularly check in with my team, listen to their insights, and adapt our strategies based on their needs and experiences. This ongoing dialogue not only enhances our initiatives but also fosters a stronger connection within the team”
