Training helps Häagen Dazs to expand in China
Article Type: Notes and news From: Industrial and Commercial Training, Volume 45, Issue 7
General Mills (China) has chosen NetDimensions Talent Suite as the learning and talent-management solution for its Häagen Dazs retail chain in China.
The company will use the tool to manage learning, performance and employee development in order to improve productivity and reduce costs. It aims to create effective talent management to support career planning and development for the Häagen Dazs workforce along the NetDimensions approach of talent for all.
Since opening the first Häagen Dazs store in Shanghai in 1996, General Mills has expanded quickly with Chinas economic boom. There are now almost 200 Häagen Dazs shops in 40 cities. The fast expansion meant that the company began to encounter problems in training coverage, efficiency and qualifications. These challenges drove General Mills to find enterprise learning and talent management to help to support the companys growth.
“The training department and the information-technology team spent a few months evaluating different vendors before deciding to partner NetDimensions, said Grace Guo, General Mills China training manager. “We hope to improve our talent-management and development process and further grow both talent and the performance of the company.
Once General Mills completes the reorganization of learning programs and competency models for each position, employees can start customizing their own learning paths. Employees can also analyze their competency gaps and enrol on the training programs that match their career-development plans.
The worlds sixth-largest food company, General Mills entered the China market nearly three decades ago. Its brands include Häagen-Dazs, Wanchai Ferry, Bugles, V. Pearl and Fruit Trix. It has six manufacturing facilities and three Häagen-Dazs central kitchens located in Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Guangzhou and Taiwan. The company employs more than 5,000 people in China.
