House them or lose them
For many workers in Chennai – India's automotive hub – the tables have turned. Rising demand left business scrambling to retain workers, but local SMEs discovered a remedy:
providing three pairs of uniform, two pairs of shoes, hot meals and transport facility, are a must for retaining people.
But it's no free lunch:
[These measures] ensure there is no late coming and it is possible to have flexible production schedule. If there is a delivery tomorrow, workers are available right away.
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This is a model approach to bring the job seekers and the job providers across the table without much fuss. It is an example set to exhibit that the semiskilled labourers from countryside will not mind travelling a distance if their minimum needs are met and rewarded well. The model could be replicated to solve productivity problem of the nation. Kudos to the innovators of the pragmatic idea.
Posted by: Ramachandra Borkar | Jun 29, 2007 8:14:19 AM
Thanks Cris for your post on Chennai.
World Banks largest processing operations outside Washington is in Chennai. I am not sure about the Hot meals there!!!!
However as Mr. Ramachandra said it is an excellent model especially when the infrastructure is improving. Some of the benefits of this model are:
1. Reduces the number of vehicles on the road and reduces the pollution (Chennai is less polluted as compares to some of the great cities in the world).
2. As Mr.Ramachandra mentioned people are willing travel about 50 to 100 kms one way to the office or factory. There by managing the population distribution.
3.Takes away the excuse for the late comers at work.
4. Collective transportation costs much lesser than individual transportation.
5. This also indicates the better corporate social responsibility in Chennai, India than in the other parts of the world.
6. Though I dont receive common meal facility now, It used to provide good networking opportunity for the different departments to interact - eases the crispness of language in the emails.
7. While Car is considered as a perk in the Indian taxation system the Bus ride is not considered as a perk.
8. The company name on these busses also does a good brand building exercise. It was started by the new economy in renewed style and the old economy corporate are trying to imitate!!
While developed countries are examining the pool car lanes and incentives, this would certainly help the easing of the pollution and congestion of cities especially when more than a million people live.
Please note: the photograph indicates platform number 1 in the inter-city terminal. An intra-city terminal or the New overhead rail picture would have presented better picture. I would be glad to send you some good pictures if you want...
Oh! I forgot to mention that one of the Asia’s longest beaches is in Chennai.
Chennai is hosting one of the largest US Aircraft Carriers Numits.
There is a good rush in the official circles to have a look at this 6.5 acre ship!!! Hope these things would help in enhancing the relationships between India and US.
Posted by: Dr James Daniel Paul | Jul 2, 2007 1:47:32 AM
Great move.
I have one more suggestion, if they add:
1. Free Training and upgrading, and
2. A helmet and
3. Safety features like group insurance,
It may add value and can improve the retention further.
Dr. Ashish Urkude (Management Guru).
Posted by: Dr. Ashish Manohar Urkude | Jul 2, 2007 7:39:37 AM