Posts Tagged ‘Henkel’

Women in Business

The first woman on Henkel’s Management Board / Die erste Frau im Henkel-Vorstand

Tuesday, September 27th, 2011 by Astrid Bosten

Yesterday, Henkel employees had two good reasons to be happy: On September 26, 1876, that means 135 years ago, Henkel was founded in Aachen, and since yesterday there is also the first woman in the Henkel Management Board since the company foundation: Kathrin Menges, previously Corporate Senior Vice President and Head of Human Resources will take over the Human Resource responsibility as a board member of Henkel, starting at October 1.

“We are pleased to announce the appointment of Kathrin to the Management Board. As with the previous changes in our Board, we have been able to develop the next generation of leaders from within the company. With her longstanding professional experience in human resources, her skills and her leadership qualities she will be a perfect fit for this challenging role”, said Henkel CEO Kasper Rorsted, who was responsible for HR in the Management Board to date.

Kathrin Menges started her professional career in human resources in 1990 at Bankgesellschaft Berlin AG. In 1999, she joined Henkel, initially at Schwarzkopf in Hamburg, and later on from 2005 at the corporate headquarters in Düsseldorf. In 2009, she was appointed Corporate Senior Vice President and Global Head of Human Resources.

“As a global company, Henkel competes for the best talents around the world. We enjoy an excellent reputation as an employer who develops talents within the company. I am looking forward to contributing with a strategic human resources management to the continued success of Henkel”, said Kathrin Menges.

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Best Practices

Henkel’s little Researchers’ World / Henkel’s kleine Forscherwelt

Tuesday, September 20th, 2011 by Astrid Bosten

Imagine if there would be a new world to explore! Wouldn’t that be exciting? To discover something entirely new? To explore scientific coherences? And at the end to find explanations that you have developed by yourself? What world could that be? Well, maybe Henkel’s Researchers’ World (Forscherwelt). To discover this world you should not be older than 10 years. And here the decribed story exactly happens: children discover the world of science as little researchers.

In the summer holidays 2011 for the third time a team of little scientists went on an expedition into Henkel’s Researchers’ World. Their area of research: the world of detergents. With appropriate equipment and skilled guidance of Henkel experts and student-teachers of the Ruhr-University Bochum, the 24 primary school researchers got down to work.

The Researchers’ World was officially opened in June 2011 and aims at awaken the spirit of discovery and the joy of research already in early childhood. Thus, Henkel has created a world for little researchers. The interior design and the didactic concept allow concentrated work and child-friendly presentation of results as well as relaxation phases and play times.

The MINT subjects like mathematics, information technologies, natural sciences, and technology still have a lack of female recruits. Although, the absolute number of graduates in those subjects at German universities has increased, the proportion of women in computer science and engineering subjects, however, is largely stagnant since 2003. Therefore, targeted actions such as the Girls’ Day or the House of Little Researchers (Haus der Kleinen Forscher) aim to interest particular girls for scientific work areas and to arouse their curiosity.

“Education is our most important resource. Especially children have a natural thirst for knowledge and a great curiosity. With our initiative and a child-friendly Researchers’ World we want to support the interest in science in early childhood” explains Henkel’s Chairwoman of the Shareholders’ Committee & Supervisory Board and PhD graduate in biology, Dr. Bagel-Trah her motivation to support the initiative as a patroness.

The Henkel Researchers’ World offers materials and experiences from the first explorer weeks for download on the website www.henkel-forschwelt.de – imitation is explicitly allowed!

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Women in Business

Schwarzkopf sponsors Role Model Award / Schwarzkopf sponsort Role Model Award

Tuesday, September 13th, 2011 by Astrid Bosten

At the end of August the Victress Awards Ceremony was held for the seventh time in Berlin. Schwarzkopf supports the initiative for four years and for the second time sponsored the Role Model Award, which this year was given to the Young Entrepreneur Verena Delius.

About 600 invited guests, including prominent representatives from business, society, politics and media, attended the gala, followed by the after-show party at the Classic Remise in the Meilenwerk. With the brand Schwarzkopf, Henkel supports the initiative for the fourth year and was the inspiration for the Victress Role Model Award. The award was given to Verena Delius, founder and CEO of Young Internet GmbH. “I see it as one of my best obligations to stand up for women’s advancement and feel very honored to be a member of the jury. Women and the topic of diversity management are already part of day-to-day business at Henkel.” said Tina Müller, Corporate Senior Vice President at Henkel and responsible for the global Hair Cosmetics, Skin Care and Oral Care businesses.

The prize “Victress Award” was established by the nonprofit Victress Initiative which advocate a higher proportion of women in leadership positions with the motto “Excellence Knows No Gender”. With the award extraordinary women were honored for their passion, their courage, and assertiveness.

You can find more information about the Victress Day and the award ceremony at www.victress.de.

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Diversity & Inclusion

Holistic Diversity Management / Ganzheitliches Diversity Management

Friday, September 9th, 2011 by Astrid Bosten

More and more German companies have recognized that diversity should be a significant and important issue in the corporate strategy. This is one of the key findings of a benchmark report published by Dr. Petra Köppel, founder of the diversity consultancy “Synergy Consult”. 23 of the DAX 30 companies can currently be considered as active in the field of diversity management. Here, the gender diversity dimension is the leading dimension that most companies focus on.

The report states that the main focus of an economic diversity management should lie on changing the corporate culture. Thus, a holistic approach is necessary and essential. Structures, processes and mindsets must be changed sustainable with a long term perspective. The advancement of women should always be part of this holistic strategy but not the predominant one. Overall, the results reflect the growing awareness concerning the diversity topic as well as the need to further promote women to top leadership positions.

With its holistic Diversity Management approach Henkel was able to position itself as one of the leading companies within the study. Thus, Henkel could improve the share of women in leadership positions from 24.5% in year 2006 to around 29% in late 2010. With nearly 30% of women, Henkel is one of the leading companies among the DAX 30.

The complete results of the study can be found at: http://www.synergie-durch-vielfalt.de/pdf/Benchmark_DM_2011.pdf

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Women in Business

VICTRESS DAY 2011 – „On the Move”

Tuesday, August 30th, 2011 by Astrid Bosten

Mixed Leadership Teams of both, women and men are on everyone’s lips. Since 2005, the VICTRESS initiative advocates mixed management teams in the economy. One action field of this initiative is the improvement of the share of female leaders in top leadership positions in Germany and the promotion of a change in society – away from outdated stereotypes to new role models.

To value the progress economy and society have been making, the initiators invite for an annually VICTRESS DAY that includes a conference as well as a gala in the evening. On August 29, this year’s event took place in Berlin held themed “On the Move”. The focus of the conference, with introductory speeches, panel discussions and workshops is “change”. What has been changed? How do companies react to these changes? How can Diversity be consciously perceived? Which effect has communication and how important is it? These questions have been answered by people from a wide range – from managers to coaches and TV presenters.

In the panel discussion “Diversity as a success factor”, Henkel’s Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion, Markus Dinslacken, participated beside Aletta Gräfin von Hardenberg, Diversity Charter Germany, Peter Green, Coca Cola, Ursula Sanio, Daimler AG, and Christine Keiner, SAP AG. They proved that Diversity Management is not only an image factor but a business necessity in the 21st century to stay in businesses.

During the gala event in the evening, the VICTRESS Awards 2011 were awarded. A distinguished jury, since 2010 also including Tina Müller, Henkel’s Corporate Senior Vice President for the hair cosmetics, skin and oral care segments of Henkel and VICTRESS GLASSBREAKER Award winner in 2009, have been chosen the this year’s winners. Henkel has already won the Corporate VICTRESS Award in 2008. Again, five nominees were honored in the categories: „VICTRESS Emotion Award”, “ VICTRESS Corporate Award “, „VICTRESS Role Model Award“,  „VICTRESS Social Impact Award“ and „VICTRESS Glassbreaker Award“.

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International Ambassadors, Women in Business

Lady’s Lunch with Kasper Rorsted

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011 by Monica Sun

Currently, Henkel CEO, Kasper Rorsted, visits the Henkel sites in Asia Pacific. On August 17, a lady’s lunch was organized at Henkel’s Asia Pacific headquarter, the Zhangjiang office in Shanghai, China.

36 female leaders were invited to attend the lunch. Kasper Rorsted,  together with three top female leadership manager from Asia Pacific - Monica Sun, Vice President Human Resources, Michelle Cheung, General Manager of the cosmetics business in China and Katharina Höhne, Regional Head of the professional cosmetics business in Asia Pacific – hosted the event.

Kasper shared his point of view on Diversity & Inclusion with the female attendees. At the same time, a variety of questions on talent, career path, the Asia Pacific markets, performance culture, work-life balance, etc. were raised from the audience and discussed with Kasper in a face to face manner. Although the lunch time was very short, all participants felt that they had a great added value.

Best Practices

Professional in a familiar atmosphere / Professionell und familiär

Tuesday, August 16th, 2011 by Astrid Bosten

In the second part of our series about dual education at Henkel, the student Michael Beckmann opens his office door for us. He is almost in his third year at Henkel and his dual education combines a Bachelor of Business Administration with a focus on IT and an apprenticeship in Information Technology. 

Nowadays, prospective students can choose from a huge range of different study programs. When we asked Michael what his dual education at Henkel makes it special for him, it does not take long until he comes up with an answer: “As a student and a apprentice I can speak and ask questions to everybody. The atmosphere is very familiar. But it is always absolutely professional. This is a special composition.”

For him, boredom has always been a foreign word during his education. In the beginning, he started in different IT department and currently gets to know more and more different divisions. “Pure IT studies would have been too boring. Here, at Henkel, I have the perfect combination of IT tasks and commercial work. That’s exiting.”

His example shows that IT studies do not only consist of raw numbers and data. Most recently he worked in the IT architecture department and concentrated on making applications, which work on laptops, available on smart phones. Currently he works in Human Resources. He always spends four months at his university in Mettmann then follows a four-month internship at the company. While his fellow students have to strive for a company where they can do an internship all he needs is to pick up the phone: “I simply call Henkel and ask: What’s about the next internship? And my wishes are taken into account if it is possible.”

That he spends his different internships in the same company has another big advantage for Michael: “I do not have to become acquainted in the company on small tasks. At Henkel, I get my projects directly, and the contact persons I do already know from former times.” 

Study and apprenticeship are structured in a way that different targets need to be reached at regular intervals. Thus, there is no risk to loose motivation: “You are always rewarded for your work directly.” After he has passed the Chamber of Commerce examination, Michael was extremely proud. Now, the bachelor’s thesis comes up. For that he will be supported by his “family” at Henkel.

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Best Practices, Women in Business

High Performance: Dual Education / Höchstleistung: Duales Studium

Wednesday, August 10th, 2011 by Astrid Bosten

After school, everything was clear for Tanja Federkiel: It should be a dual study. The course: Chemistry and Biotechnology (Bachelor of Science) combined with an apprenticeship as a chemical laboratory technician. Meanwhile, Tanja’s apprenticeship at Henkel has been running for almost a year.

On two days a week, Tanja Federkiel learns the scientific foundation of her work at the University Niederrhein in Krefeld, Germany, on the other days she is at Henkel in Holthausen, working in the laboratory: “This way, I have a total networking between theory and practice. Just studying, that would have been too theoretical.” There are also phases of practical involvement at college, but “there it’s all about the grade. At Henkel, I work on my own projects that promote me. So I feel that I provide a valuable contribution to the company”. And Tanja saves a lot of time, more precisely: Three whole years. That is how much longer it would take to complete the training and college sequentially.

Tanja chose Henkel deliberately: “When I had finished high school I went to the US for a year as an Au Pair, and I wanted to start a dual education right after my return.”

Aptitude tests were the problem. In the worst case, Tanja would have needed to fly back and forth between Düsseldorf and America several times. However, Henkel found a solution: “The authorities offered that I could do some tests before I left home and all the others staggered over two days. “Henkel was just super-flexible, and supported me. As part of her training she is now getting to know even another continent : For a project she will go to China. “This is going to be a very valuable experience”.

As a student and trainee, she is currently engaged in Adhesive Research (AR Silicones & Sealants). With her ​​team she develops new products. Currently she is working on a substance designed to improve the adhesive properties of a particular adhesive. She especially likes, that she can take responsibility even in these internships: “I’m included in production processes and fully integrated, even at laboratory meetings.” In the future job search, she sees herself, thanks to her work at Henkel, having a clear advantage over other students: “Because of the additional training at Henkel I have now a much better insight into the real business. As long as you strain and prove yourself, you can achieve anything.” [DE]

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Women in Business

A strong commitment to diversity

Monday, August 8th, 2011 by Griselda Serra
Patricia Castejón is the first woman leading the Adhesive Technologies business sector in Henkel Ibérica.

Since July 1 Patricia Castejón is the new U-A General Manager for Spain and Portugal. She is also the chairwoman of the U-A Council Ibérica. Patricia took this position after David Rodriguez was promoted to Regional Manager AC Western Europe. Her promotion is proof of a strong commitment to diversity as Patricia is the first woman ever to lead a business division in the history of Henkel Ibérica.

Now, with Patricia joining the Iberian top management team its members are a balanced mix of gender (five men and three women), nationalities (Spanish, Italian and Argentinian), and age (from 39 to 60). With this team Henkel Ibérica will be stronger in the markets as it assures having different opinions and perspective on board so that the best possible decisions can be made.

International Ambassadors

Fierce Conversations at Henkel in Bridgwater

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011 by Angela Curley

End of June Diversity Days were held in several Henkel locations in the US. Here are some impressions from Bridgewater

Susan Scott, author of Fierce Leadership and Fierce Conversations, served as the keynote speaker at the Diversity Awareness Day recently held in Bridgewater, NJ.

Scott began her message by highlighting the importance of inclusion in the workplace: “Employee engagement plus inclusion equals execution muscle.” She shared many of the teachings from her books which are used in Henkel’s “Fierce” training programs and provided useful advice on how to increase inclusion in workplace settings. In closing, Scott focused on communication as the key to success. “The success of Henkel, your teams, your own career – and, in a very real sense, the world – depends on your progress as an individual,” she said. “If you want to be a valued employee, a good friend, a good parent, gain the capacity to connect with others at a deep level. The ability to connect is the new frontier for exponential growth.”

Following Scott’s keynote, members of an executive panel addressed questions highlighting the positive impact inclusion plays in developing relationships with customers, suppliers, alliance partners and minority-owned businesses. Panel members included: Kate Graue - Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, National Container Corp.; George Hill – Chairman & CEO, Diversified Chemical Technologies, Inc.; Michael Schiavoni - Managing Partner, Schiavoni Leadership Group; and Jermaine Pharmes – Business Compliance Specialist, MBE Services, New York & New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council.

Messages presented by the guest speakers, as well as Henkel’s speakers, reinforced the theme of “Raising the Bar through Inclusion.” Opening remarks were provided by Jerry Perkins, Senior Vice President, Packaging, Consumer Goods & Construction Adhesives. Manager of Corporate Diversity and Inclusion Angela Curley provided an overview of Henkel’s most recent internal and external accomplishments in diversity, and Linda Chase, Vice President, Human Resources, Adhesive Technologies, introduced Susan Scott as the keynote speaker and highlighted Henkel’s use of Scott’s teachings in “Fierce” training programs. Waly Sarr, Business Development Director, introduced the panel members and served as moderator for the panel discussion.

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