A significant number of SA employers are committed to bring conversion within their companies in the next three years. According to the BEST Employers ™ survey 2008/9, the country’s average of female executive management staff is 25%, with an aim to increase it to 33% in the coming years. The executive duties entail the highest tier of leadership, strategy determination and policy for the entire company. This survey also reveals that only 33% of executive management is black with a plan to reach 40% within the same period.
CRF, a company that conducts this independent research and publishes the findings kick starts the annual hunt for outstanding employers for 2009/10. This annual research project, which has been in operation for more than ten years, aims to identify remarkable employers and provides accreditation in relation to talent management.
The research findings are published in the BEST Employers ™ publication and on the website, www.bestemployers.co.za for approximately one year. The research provides a platform for companies to inform a credible story about themselves as a brand to both potential talent and partners.
The survey entails questions in relation to organisational strategy, HR function, communication, diversity management, corporate social responsibility, talent management and engagement, employee development, performance management, reward and recognition as well as knowledge management.
Endorsing BEST Employers ™2009/10 research project includes organizations such as Businesswomen’s Association of SA, Institute of Directors, UCT Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB), Institute of People Management, SA Institute of Management, DMSA, Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut with Business Report and HR Future as media partners.
Prominent employers participate annually. Fifty-five companies made the accreditation in the BEST Employers ™ 2008/09. Among them include ABSA, Shell SA, Cell C, Coca Cola, Unilever SA, Mr Price Group, Telkom, Nampak, City of Johannesburg, SA Tourism and Hetzner (Pty) Ltd.
Companies that choose to participate in this scientific research project have to complete HR Benchmark™ questionnaire online, which is an initial audited phase of the research process.
Simultaneously journalists appointed by CRF interview the relevant stakeholders within the participating company for the eight page profile including the logo and contact details, which is to be published in BEST Employers™2009/10. This is provided that the company reaches a certain score.
Besides being published, the company receives a quality seal stamp that can be used for marketing and HR purposes, findings of research of the actual company with a comparison of the national average. The company is also benchmarked against the top five performing businesses, which assist companies to improve on their talent management.
Soon after the publication launch, which is scheduled for August this year, the distribution of 5 000 copies both nationally and internationally takes place. These distribution channels are:
- Leading SA universities careers officers/offices
-Leading business schools as a case study, course work material (at the discretion of the schools)
- Recruitment companies to use when selling candidates on different companies
- All government departments to showcase success
- Key airport business class lounges (local and International)
- All CRF’s International offices (UK, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, UK, Spain, Germany, China, Italy, France) to distribute to their own channels
- 200 copies to each of our partners to distribute to members or at their conferences/seminars i.e. Businesswomen’s Association of SA, Institute of Directors, UCT GSB, Institute of People Management, SA Institute of Management -Business Report receives 500 copies for subscription drives -HR Future receives 200 copies for subscription drives, gifts at breakfasts and seminars etc. -Retail sales at Exclusive Books.
Approximately one week after both the publication launch and awards ceremony, Business Report releases an exclusive broadsheet supplement on the research detailing the methodology, findings and accredited companies.
About CRF
CRF International is an independent research publishing company currently active in ten countries on three continents. These include the United Kingdom, China, Germany, Switzerland, The Netherlands, South Africa, Belgium, Spain, Italy and France.
www.bestemployers.co.za
Released by CRF International, South African office
For more information contact:
Rose Setshoge
rose.setshoge@crf.co.za
021 425 0320/0839979922