”TIE” up

A few weeks ago, we at Element78, organised an event that we call “Trainer Induction@Element78” (acronymically, TIE).

Most organisations have induction programs for new employees who join them; we have a formal induction program even for the associates (consultants / trainers who are not our employees). TIE is conducted with all the bells-and-whistles that we would have had in the induction for our employees or an open program for our clients. Both the managing partners of Element78 are keenly and fully involved on these days, along with the rest of our core team.

These TIE-tans (associates) often tell us, at the end of this event, that this experience has been unique and overwhelming in terms of the learning environment created as well as in terms of sharing of our best practices so openly (without worrying about apparent competition existing within them). For us at Element78, it is all in a day’s work!

Let me add quickly that we are not so naïve as to not realise the apparent pitfalls of such openness, The gains of trust and openness, creating the learning and co-creation culture and the determination to set high standards far outweigh any pitfalls that we might encounter. A couple of decades ago, I had heard of an incident from an erstwhile boss who had visited the office of Peter Lau, the then CEO of Giordano (a fashion wear brand) in Hong Kong. When a visitor entered the chambers of Mr. Lau, he would notice a large digital board giving live data of sales per store by stock-keeping-unit (SKU) in HK, open to all to see. When quizzed about how this data could easily be seen by competition, Mr. Lau calmly responded

“this data equips competition about what we did a few minutes ago; not what we intend to do next. By that, competition will always be behind us trying to catch up”.

Now that’s a thought that speaks volume of how we could look at knowledge sharing as a collaborative edge rather than as a competitive edge.

When we conceptualised TIE, we were sure of 2 things, viz. what we stood for at Element78 and how we see this organisation working in a collaborative learning environment. The entry or the initial ‘tie’ that we made with associates is influencing the level of contribution that these associates are making to Element78. What goes around, comes around – this maxim works well for us!

What we have done in TIE, is invested our time and energies, agnostic of what the level of experience of our associates. We have made a statement of our values, and selected the people based on what Element78 stands for. Of course, it also helped us do a dipstick check of their fit with the organization that we dream of.

TIE event is symbolic for us at Element78 to work with our extended teams – trainers, consultants, suppliers and service providers – to induct them as a part of our organisation. We are seeing an entirely different attitude and approach of these associates, as they see us as an organisation with whom they will continue their learning journey. Not as employers. But a body of like-minded professionals where learning is the glue that ties them together.

TIE has the potential to transform us to the next tier of engagement. When we do a task with the purest of intention and action, it comes back to us in the form of positive returns. Finally, it all TIEs up together, isn’t it? Karma!