Recognition and reward are linked to how we perform our job. Whether we are an employee or employer, we all want and need to be recognised for our contribution.
The MTN Group's Y'ello Stars programme, which recognises and rewards talented and hard working colleagues across its 21 operations in Africa and the Middle East, has succeeded in contributing to MTN's desire to create a culture of recognition.
Moreover, the programme also enables MTN to manage the risks associated with the skills shortages that plague the telecommunications industry and the economy as a whole.
Paul Norman, MTN Group Executive: Human Resources, comments ahead of the group's annual awards ceremonies being held this week across all its regions: "Part of our HR and leadership strategy is to ensure we focus on issues important to our staff including work-life balance, recognition and striving for a unique and exciting experience for our employees." The MTN Group currently has a diverse workforce of over 16 000 people. Creating a culture of recognition and reward has resulted in the MTN Group becoming an employer of choice across all its operations, contributing significantly to managing the risk of employee turnover.
"The rapid growth of the mobile industry in Africa combined with a critical shortage of skills in the market has resulted in a huge war for talent. As economies shift globally, so too, talent management has become critical to organisations with a large, demographically diverse and savvy employee base whose loyalties are not solely informed by their commitment to the company but also to personal growth and development," says Norman.
MTN is committed to building a unique employer brand and experience, adds Norman.
The challenge has been to entrench a culture that not only rewards excellent performance and positive behaviour but also takes into account the needs of today's employees. Through the programme, positive behaviour and leadership skills are encouraged. This outcome ultimately benefits the company, Africa and the Middle East.
"Y'ello Stars has become a successful vehicle for recognising peers and rewarding individuals who have made significant contributions to the continued success of the group."
Y'ello Stars allows employees to nominate fellow staff members, either as individuals or teams, who they believe have excelled in the categories of Star Performance; Knowledge Share (knowledge transfer); Customer Service; and Living the MTN Values of Can do, Leadership, Relationships, Innovation and Integrity.
Anyone within the MTN Group can nominate a Y'ello Star and the person they nominate does not necessarily have to be within their department but from anywhere within the organisation.
Over three years, there's been exponential growth in the number of people being nominated. Nominations are via SMS or the intranet and staff are recognised and rewarded monthly and quarterly. The winners in these two stages compete at the annual gala event, where the prestigious Group CEO Award is also conferred. Over and above the awards, winning candidates are invited to the annual MTN Group Leadership Conference, which exposes them to MTN leaders and deliberations.
"The improvements in the results of our culture audits are a clear indication that the Y'ello Stars programme has been a success. Over the next few years, we expect the programme to further entrench a culture of recognition at MTN," concludes Norman.
Names of winners of the MTN's Y'ello Stars for 2008 will be announced later in the week.
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