Productivity | Decathlon HR: 'High productivity is the Holy Grail for any business'

Michael McHale, recruitment leader at global sports retailer, Decathlon, speaks to HR Grapevine about how giving employee's ownership, breaking down organisational siloes and fostering an environment that prioritises satisfaction first, has helped the brand boost productivity...

“High productivity is the Holy Grail for any business. Traditionally, companies may have tried to improve efficiencies by exerting downward pressure alone. However, recent studies suggest that employee job satisfaction can play a far more influential role in increasing quality company output and – ultimately – boosting bottom lines. It’s therefore critically important that this is made a priority, so that individual team members feel motivated and valued in their role and strive to perform better as a result.

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“At Decathlon, we believe that true job fulfilment comes from doing something you are not just passionate about, but also for which you have a high level of ownership. Whilst being accountable for the success and failure of their individual remit can be daunting, it also allows team members to make a success of themselves and be their own boss.

“This freedom extends to training. Our employees know that, in order to meet targets and KPIs, they may need to seek further knowledge and understanding. However, we operate on a pull rather than push system; making high-level training materials readily available, showing people where to find them – but leaving the responsibility with the individual to access what they require.