“Careers Don’t Just Happen”

Why are fundamental changes on the agenda of consumer goods corporations right now? Because in today’s volatile and uncertain times, change is unavoidable.

Sylvie Nicol is Executive Vice President Human Resources and Infrastructure Services at Henkel, a German industry and consumer goods corporation perhaps best known for its Persil laundry detergent. She is aware that cultural changes require time, especially in large organizations. Despite that, change is “unavoidable.” In the HR expert’s words: “I’ve been with the company for over 25 years, and like many of my colleagues, I’m seeing the progress.” She spends most of her time looking ahead. The company’s global initiative ACT, which stands for Accelerate Cultural Transformation, has entered its second stage, with a focus on fostering a culture of feedback. It’s not a matter of introducing a new tool but of altering human behavior. “We must acknowledge and respect that not everyone wants to change,” she says. In open dialogue and concrete action, however, the teams especially need to establish what they identify with in their work.