How employees are shaping the future at Sainsbury's

By Kelly Dyer, Editor of Strategic Communication Management, Melcrum

Has anyone seen the documentary on UK's Channel 4 called "I'm running Sainsbury's"? (Sorry to alienate our international audience for a moment - I don't think this has been screened beyond the UK.) If you haven't it's well worth a look.

I must admit I'm running behind (the four-part series started on June 2nd) so I'm catching up via Channel 4's watch again option, 4oD Catch-Up, but it's an interesting concept for all those involved in internal comms and engagement.

Sainsbury's, the UK's oldest supermarket is, like so many companies, in the midst of a retail war. Knowing that something drastic needs to be done to stand a chance of beating its rivals, CEO Justin King has opened up the (shop) floor for ideas from his employees.

In the first program he says that its the trolley pushers, cleaners and check-out operators who are at the forefront of the business, closest to its customers, and should therefore have a say in how the company's future strategy is developed.

From what I've seen so far, four employees are given the power of "Project Manager" and each has to prove that their strategy for driving the business forward has all the ingredients for success.

I'll keep watching and let you know how things go. The next episode will be Tuesday 16th June on Channel 4.