Employees first

As a multinational computer company, Lenovo says it attaches great importance to providing a fair and sound working environment, protecting the legal rights of all its employees while realizing cultural integration.

According to the computer company's first corporate social responsibility (CSR) report issued recently, Lenovo's employment structure is international, as there are 23,200 staff working for the company around the world. Of which, 17,000 are based in China and 6,200 work overseas.

The company became a global giant after merging with US-headquartered IBM's personal computer arm with a $1.25 billion investment in 2005. It is currently the world's fourth-largest personal computer supplier.

To be a genuine multinational company, the fundamental is understanding and respecting diverse cultures while realizing cultural integration, says the report.

Lenovo says it recognizes its employee's diverse contributions and is dedicated to providing a working discrimination- and harassment-free workplace

The diversification of a workforce is helpful to provide services for clients with different backgrounds and demands, attract and retain talents as well as create an environment for employees to take full advantage of their potentials, says the report.

An integrated corporate culture is crucial for a company to increase its competitiveness and make full use the many resources in the market.

Last January, a new department - Global Integration and Diversification Department - was created to oversee staff diversification and cultural integration work. The department reports directly to Lenovo CEO William Amelio.

During the past year, related training and team building courses were also conducted for all the staff within the company, says the report

Meanwhile, based on respecting cultural backgrounds and nationalities, Lenovo offers opportunities and channels for all employees to communicate and understand each other.

For example, the company held a series of get-togethers, called "cultural cocktail parties" by employees, to promote mutual understanding and fusion. The company says nearly 11,000 employees have participated in them.

Last October, Lenovo held a "Cultural Compass" where employees from various divisions had discussions on issues like performance pursuits, winning attitudes, embracing reform and open communications via the Internet.

In addition, a series of surveys, interviews, symposiums and communications with senior executives have begun.

The computer giant calls its new corporate cultural framework "Lenovo Global New Culture" established, the CSR report says.

In addition to cultural integration, Lenovo says it pays great attention to growth of its people. The company encourages all employees take part in training concerning technologies, managerial skills, and corporate governance.

Lenovo claims it has also formulated a comprehensive development framework, in a bid to enlarge its internal executive pool and build a healthy internal promotion mechanism.

And a specific program for female staff promotion - Women in Lenovo's Leadership - was established. The program was initiated by Amelio.

The report also says that all Lenovo employees can choose to work for the administrative sector or technological one based on their interests and capabilities, and the company will offer specific training courses and promotion opportunities in line with their choices.

If the training cannot meet the employees' needs, they can apply for external training.

The company has set up its own "leadership work-shift system", which combines internships, in-service practices and work-shift to find potential managerial talents and train them.

The report says the "work-shift system" is aimed at increasing international working capabilities concerning language, communication, multinational coordination and crisis management, of the potential leaders.

According to the CSR report, Lenovo's long-term commitments to its employees involve providing various education and training opportunities to facilitate self-development and internal promotions, giving fair assessments and reasonable return to employees' contributions, protecting employees' privacy, as well as non-discrimination.

Hong Kong-listed Lenovo Group Limited saw net profits reach $484 million or 5.51 cents per share in the 2007 to 2008 fiscal year, respectively swelling 201 percent and 195 percent.

In the full year, its sales maker rose 17 percent to $16.4 billion. Personal computer sales rose about 22 percent globally, higher than the average level in the market. The gross profit margin inched up from 13.5 percent a year earlier to 15.0 percent.

Lenovo's personal computer market share around the world climbed 0.4 percentage points to about 7.6 percent. Moreover, the company sold its mobile phone business in March 2008, gaining $20 million.

(China Daily 10/20/2008 page8)