Global public relations agency GolinHarris believes a people-centred culture is key to winning the loyalty of employees. 'We are proud of ourselves attracting great people and people who stay with us for a long time in this friendly and warm culture,' said Al Golin, the company's founder and chairman. He said talented and experienced staff were essential for building successful long-term partnerships with clients.
The goal of the firm is to attract and retain top people in public relations. Therefore, GolinHarris provides professional training programmes to build life-long relationships with staff.
In the 'Staff Office Exchanges' programme employees have opportunities to learn and transfer new leadership and management skills to the host office in Hong Kong by working with members at other GolinHarris offices in Asia-Pacific.
Exchangees present an overview of their country's office, market, media landscape and client servicing to the host office. A guardian works with the exchangees to ensure maximum exposure to the working environment and work duties. Participants from the Hong Kong office worked with the Beijing team on event management and media relations last year to obtain real public relations experience in developing the greater China market.
Another programme - 'Next Generation Hothouse' - has been launched to stimulate employee imagination, innovation and willingness to think outside of their present posts. This is a combination awards/training programme which selects 20 of the firm's 'next generation thinkers' with less than 10 years' professional experience from Asia-Pacific offices to attend a two-day innovation and leadership training session in an exotic destination in the region. Anyone can nominate themselves for a place in the Hothouse, but only those with insightful ideas to make a lasting impact on client business will be selected.
Apart from providing development programmes, creating an efficient corporate culture is also addressed in the company.