At FrieslandCampina, our business revolves around our purpose ‘Nourishing by Nature’. But how does that translate into how we nourish our people at FrieslandCampina. How do we give them what they need to thrive in their roles? Our CPO, Patricia Snel, sat down with Willemijn Noppers, Global Director Work & Health to discuss this topic in a double interview.
Everything we do revolves around Nourishment
Patrice: “Sometimes I find it quite incredible that everything we do at FrieslandCampina revolves around nourishment. And it’s been like that since the 1800s when our cooperative was set up by a group of twenty farmers.
Obviously, a lot has changed since then. Yes, we’re still a cooperative – but now we’re one of the world’s largest dairy companies, with more than 20,000 people providing nourishment to the world. So if they’re doing that, I think we should also give them all the nourishment they need – and by that I mean help them grow in every sense of the word. How else can they be their best at work and reach their full potential?”
We also need to create an inclusive environment where open communication is encouraged. Regular one-on-one meetings can help managers understand their team's needs and aspirations. Additionally, implementing wellbeing programs and promoting work-life balance can significantly contribute to a supportive culture. I'm confident that when we invest in our people's growth, we see a lot of positive outcomes."
Creating a friendly, open and inclusive environment people want to work in
Patrice: “That’s such a good point. And it’s why I’ve always focused on creating a workplace that puts people first. It can be hard to juggle work with the demands of everyday life – we both know that. Life is hectic and for some people that can feel quite overwhelming. Do we just accept that’s how modern life is? Or is there anything we can do to ease the burden and ensure everyone gets a good balance?
I think there’s a lot we can do.
Top of my list is creating a workplace that people want to work in. One that’s friendly, open and inclusive – and where we act with respect (one of our core values). But I’ve learnt something over the years – that the ideal workplace looks different for different people.
For some, it’s about contributing added value, and making an impact. For others, it’s about feeling welcomed, comfortable, and respected for who they are. It can also be about gaining energy from working together or experiencing growth in every sense of the word. Everyone has their own set of priorities, ways of working and expectations – because we’re talking about all backgrounds, all ages, all nationalities.
I’m still learning. But I never guess what people want. And even when I totally believe I’m being inclusive and respectful, I always stop to double-check I am. I came across a great example of that at our Global Leadership Conference.
I was chatting to a colleague about an activation game we played around our newly launched three values: We act with respect. We aim higher. We succeed together. I asked her which value meant the most to her – and she proudly told me ‘respect’, saying that it’s a basic thing – everybody should have respect. Later, I asked if she’d ever spoken to a colleague in Dutch, with an English colleague in the room. She said she had – so I had to question whether she does fully live that value? It gave us both something to think about.”
Willemijn: “Yes absolutely. Sometimes you think you’re acting inclusively, but put yourself in someone else’s shoes, and you understand they’re asking for something very different. That’s why it’s so important to always talk openly and honestly about these matters. And why we always need focus groups and employee engagement surveys to get broader insight on how our people are doing – and how they think we’re doing.
It takes away any guesswork and gives us the sense-check we need. And people want our support – just look at our last webinar about mental health – we had more than 500 people dial in! Another example form our Karachi and Dubai offices where Breast cancer awareness sessions were held in the month of October, which was valued by both male and female colleagues.”
When our people grow, we grow
Patrice: “Personal growth is another key area here – and it’s something you know I talk about a lot. Throughout my career I’ve always focused on nurturing, developing and growing talent. And when I say ‘growth’, I’m not just talking about promotion – getting new skills, gaining experience, building confidence, it all counts. It’s a bonus for us as a business too – it’s how we build a culture that’s alive with innovation, creativity and collaboration. I really do see potential in everyone - and feel very strongly that it’s our job to help realise it.”
Willemijn: "I agree and I find that caring for our people a shared responsibility between managers and employees. Managers play a crucial role in fostering a supportive culture by facilitating meaningful conversations within their teams, understanding their team's needs, and responding appropriately. And employees also need to actively engage, communicate their needs, and utilise the resources available to them. Together, they can create a thriving and nourishing work environment."
We’re expecting from managers to do a lot. And I know that for some of them, this is where they thrive – while for others, it’s a bit more challenging. Either way, we need to make sure they have the right support in place to build a nourishing culture – and to build teams that continue to surprise us.”
Patrice: “The other thing our managers need is time. I can’t expect them to lead and support their teams properly if their day is full of other tasks. I want them to spend 50-60% of their time focusing on their people – their health, their wellness, their productivity, their growth. And not forgetting their happiness. I’m doing a lot of work in the background to help them achieve this. We’re not quite there yet, but we’re on our way.”
It’s good to talk
Conversations like this are good to remind us what’s really important. As a company where nourishing the world is at the heart of everything we do, I know that supporting people in the right way has to be our top priority. But is it really any different in your organisation? Whatever your business, if you nourish your workforce you’re bound to see a return on your investment.
For me, it has meant our teams are happier, more positive and better equipped to deal with any challenges that come their way. But also more ambitious to see where they can go next. For our business, it has meant greater innovation, increased efficiency and a team that’s doing an incredible job delivering for our consumers, while also driving healthy results.
What I also realize is that people want to see themselves represented in their leaders; it offers perspective and, for some, even hope. That's why it's very important for us to have a diverse group of leaders who our employees can look up to as role models. Within HR, this is reflected in our global teams, which, although partly based in the Netherlands, now represent ten different nationalities. This diversity ensures that our workforce feels seen and valued, fostering a more inclusive and inspiring work environment.