We - KappAhl

EMPLOYEES
WINNING TOP MARKS
– YEAR AFTER YEAR
Here at KappAhl there are a multitude of
different occupations. Our 4,300 employees
work on everything from design to store sales
– with the support of an effective IT and
logistics system. Together we sell hundreds of
thousands of garments every day. To succeed in this, cooperation
must be good between the different competencies.
If sales are to continue to increase, year after year, employees
must have the opportunity to grow both in skills and as individuals.
And that is why we lay great emphasis on creating a workplace
that encourages further development and independent
initiatives – while clearly staking out the goals and direction to
get there, which creates security.
Having a solid foundation to stand on is perhaps more
important in harder times. So we are very proud of having
worked consistently over many years to build a strong offer.
Behind this work lie many difficult decisions, both for the individual
and the organisation, such as adapting costs in stores that
for various reasons do not reach their targets. This is something
we do regardless of the state of the economy. Basically, it is about
taking long-term business responsibility.
Our work meant that we went into the economic downturn
well prepared and with enough muscle to be able to continue
opening stores, develop skills and take market share, despite a
contracting economy and reduced private consumption.
A CHAIN OF LEARNING AT ALL LEVELS We want our
employees to learn while carrying out their day-to-day work.
We are keen on identifying useful lessons in our stores and
offices and passing them on to other parts of the business.
But additional training is also required. We have therefore
developed an extensive training programme, with courses for
different skills requirements.
We have leadership development programmes for different
levels in the company. These include the KappAhl Academy for
Area Managers, intended for regional managers. A great effort
was made here during the year; with a course for all regional
managers in collaboration with the MiL Institute in Lund. The
programme is held in English and participants have the opportunity
of coach meetings between sessions. Apart from contributing
to skills development at individual level the programme
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ensures that KappAhl’s concept is consistent in all markets. In
addition, the programme provides the opportunity for networking
between the different countries, which means that good
ideas quickly spread from one market to the others.
We also run the KappAhl Academy for Store Managers,
which targets store managers, and the KappAhl Academy for
Store Manager Trainees. In 2008/2009 we also held theme days
for stores, IT training, language courses, courses in negotiation
technique, leadership and communication for different target
groups in the company.
18,000 HOURS OF TRAINING There are several different specialist
training programmes in the Group. Visual merchandisers
and buyers are offered special programmes. Most courses use
KappAhl’s own specialists as well as external teachers and supervisors.
When required, personal, customised training
programmes can be offered to selected key employees.
During the year we held a job development day at our distribution
centre, where all employees discussed possible ways of
further increasing efficiency and job satisfaction. One positive
effect of this type of initiative is that it leads to increased understanding
of each other’s jobs, which we benefit greatly from in
our continued work of development.
We also put special focus on training for team leaders in the
organisation.
Individual stores and departments can take their own initiatives.
A considerable part of skills and employee development
takes place locally. Managers play a key role here. They receive
assistance from the Group office in the form of advice, guidelines
and specific aids for employee development.
In all, 1,100 people took part in training in 2008/2009, which
amounted to more than 18,000 hours.
SUCCESS COMES FROM OUR CORPORATE CULTURE The
fundamental values for all skills development can be found in
the corporate culture. It is summarised by the will to win, simplicity,
clarity and speed and is made visible in the organisation
via internal communication channels and Group-wide training.
We want to stay one step ahead of our competitors. To succeed
in this we must dare and want to win. This is achieved
through simplicity in everyday work, but also via clarity, with
Kappahl 2008/2009