Recipes for success made in China
In today’s dynamic and highly competitive market environment, being able to bring new employees on board quickly and seamlessly is a key success factor. STIHL Qingdao has met this challenge with a series of innovative programs that promote both the integration of new talent and people’s continuous professional development. Options include the buddy program, various career development strategies and the technical trainee program. Together, they form a system that not only supports employees’ individual development, but also bolsters the company’s long-term growth and innovative power.
BUDDY-PROGRAMM
The buddy program at STIHL Qingdao is a prime example of a successful onboarding process. It was developed to make it easier for new employees to get off to a good start and to integrate them into the corporate culture. The program features a demand-driven and innovative introduction, in which a traditional mentoring structure is replaced by the modern buddy system approach. This keeps things from being too formal and fosters closer ties between the new employees and their more experienced colleagues.
The program’s careful planning and implementation starts with detailed, in-depth selection of buddies. Buddies are chosen for their excellent communication skills and wealth of professional experience,which ensures effective support for new hires. An advanced management system supports the entire process, from drafting detailed mentoring plans to holding regular dialogue meetings in order to promote open communication and continuous feedback. The buddy program’s success is reflected in the faster integration of new employees, increased job satisfaction and lower staff turnover.
STIHL employees in dialogue | Photo: STIHL
VERSATILITY IN CAREER DEVELOPMENT
STIHL Qingdao pursues a versatile career development concept that offers employees numerous opportunities to develop professionally and explore new horizons. This concept goes beyond traditional career paths to encompass areas such as technology and management. Numerous success stories attest to the effectiveness of this strategy, which has helped employees to advance from simple positions to technical and managerial roles.
One important part of this development is dual training, which seamlessly combines theoretical knowledge and practical application. This form of training improves employees’ skill levels while laying a solid foundation for technological innovation and transformation at the company. In addition, an internal job transfer mechanism promotes mobility and flexibility among employees by allowing them to take on different roles and tasks within the company. An advanced online learning platform also offers a wide range of opportunities for further training. It provides a broad selection of courses that help employees to hone and improve their skills and keep up to date with the latest industry developments. Regular training competitions are also held to promote teamwork and sharing of knowledge, which contributes to further enhancing technical skills.
THE TECHNICAL TRAINEE PROGRAM
STIHL Qingdao’s technical trainee program is a key part of the local talent development program. It is aimed at next-generation talent who want to bring their vision and passion to the company and grow into driving forces. The program has been fully overhauled to meet the company’s current needs and incorporate suggestions from the business units. The trainee program includes tailor-made training courses that help new employees quickly gain familiarity with the company’s structures.
Through targeted mentoring and systematic training, trainees develop career prospects and a positive attitude toward work. Modular learning, practical exercises and job rotation enable comprehensive development and strengthen interdepartmental cooperation. One outstanding example of the program’s success is its very first participant, Dido Zhao, who gained an in-depth understanding of the company’s strategy through her practical experience and significantly enhanced her problem-solving skills. The collaboration and dialogue between the teams made this process a supportive and powerful experience.
