3. Encouraging Open Lines of Communication
As a national retailer with over 600 stores across Canada, Hbc regularly communicates with associates in every province on everything from corporate direction to individual milestones and accomplishments. Communications with our associates take many forms, including Intranet correspondence, internal magazines, town hall meetings and much more.
Hbcnet
In 2007, Hbc’s internal communications platform for associates, Hbcnet, was expanded to incorporate senior executive messaging, strategic information and important announcements to ensure all of our associates are kept up to date with what is happening at Hbc.
New store-specific content was launched for the Bay, Home Outfitters and Zellers that offers store managers a one-stop shop for all their operational communications.
Hbcnet also allows associates to share ideas through our Let’s Discuss forum and Customer Service Zone.
Hbc Life
Hbc’s corporate newsletter was produced twice in 2007, featuring stories about everything from corporate strategy to new products and services. The newsletter is sent to over 70,000 associates and retirees across Canada in both official languages, and the latest issue was printed on recycled paper. Home office associates can also obtain electronic versions of Hbc Life through the Company’s Intranet.
Hbcassociate.com
With over 90 percent of Hbc associates based in stores, Hbcassociate.com was created to provide them with a portal where they could find out more about the organization and its direction. In 2007, Hbcassociate.com grew to include items that would interest and affect all associates, including messages from senior management, ABC offers, health and wellness tips and customer service stories.
Business Reviews
Business reviews are held semi-annually for more than 1,500 of Hbc’s top associates who gather together to hear the management team talk about the direction the Company is going. From store operations to marketing and merchandising, the business reviews are an opportunity for Hbc associates across Canada to learn about our current and upcoming strategic initiatives.