Well it happened, almost without us noticing...this week, it's exactly 20 years since Françoise Descleves and Pascale Demont left HP to embark on the Equoranda adventure.
At the end of April 2023, the memory of the moment of departure is still very present:
- For Françoise, after 18 years, meeting with an HR representative for administrative procedures, no thanks, entry badge returned and cut in two in front of her eyes, return to her office 30' later to resume her business and already someone who occupies “his” place: this departure is violent, but you will tell us, it helps to cut the cord!
- For Pascale, after 14 years, same meeting, same procedures...but not even the right to return to her office - she is escorted to the entrance like a visitor - difficult to be considered a "foreigner" after all these years!
But they have so much more left of their first professional experience than the moment of exit:
- Managerial practices based on the principle that “man is good”, which results in an incredible level of trust and benevolence (even if certain aspects are darker: the relative ranking (*) for example)
- The importance of teamwork at all levels: KPIs based on individual and collective success
- A very good knowledge of the functioning of an international and matrix company, thanks to internal mobility which is more than encouraged: 12 positions in 14 years for Pascale, in 3 different functions; 10 positions in 18 years for Françoise in 4 functions – This mobility was a great way to use the potential of each individual.
- Ethics in business practice and the many awareness sessions on ethical business conduct, to remind us that it is everyone's business
- Experience, become conviction, that we can flourish at work
By writing these few lines, Françoise and Pascale realize to what extent these principles are still relevant today. They have forged and are still forging the Equoranda Coaching and training adventure!
To be continued…
(*) for an overview of what relative ranking is
