Un normale giovedì pomeriggio di metà novembre: freddo e grigio.
Una normale mail inviata a tutti i dipendenti, come sempre al termine del trimestre, per convocarli al meeting dove sarebbero stati riportati numeri, commenti e prospettive.
Un normale auditorio con sedie, proiettore e lavagna.
Un normale andirivieni di persone alla ricerca della migliore posizione (per qualcuno, come a scuola, il più lontano possibile dallo speaker) e di una sedia per stare più comodi.
Un normale vociferare e sorridere prima dell'inizio dell'incontro.
E invece...
Che qualcosa di particolare potesse accadere c'erano i sentori: la convocazione per il pomeriggio, invece che alla mattina come era prassi di solito; la presenza della responsabile HR per l'Europa del gruppo, accompagnata da due figure in giacca e cravatta; uno strano incontro con i propri manager, qualche minuto prima del meeting, fatto con l'intento di rassicurare su quanto sarebbe stato detto.
L'Annuncio
E poi...l'annuncio.
Riassumibile in: la VF Corporation, nonostante i risultati positivi di vendite e fatturato conseguiti da The North Face Italy, ha deciso che, in un'ottica strategica di razionalizzazione delle risorse e creazione di sinergie tra i marchi del gruppo, sposterà l'attuale sede di Pederobba a Lugano.
Di conseguenza, viene chiusa l'unità italiana e per i dipendenti (alcuni, non tutti - n.d.r.) si prospetta il trasferimento in Svizzera. Per chi decidesse di non andare e per gli "esuberi" si prevede l'utilizzo degli ammortizzatori sociali da concordare con i sindacati.
Le reazioni
Sgomento, incredulità, tristezza, rabbia, smarrimento, incertezza...
"Ma come?!? Se solo due settimane prima nel sales meeting si è parlato della bontà dei risultati ottenuti e delle prospettive di crescita nei prossimi anni (non giorni o mesi, ma anni)..."
"Ma come?!? Se abbiamo diverse ricerche di personale in corso per ampliare e migliorare il nostro organico interno..."
"Ma come?!? Se solo qualche giorno prima si era discusso con le amministrazioni locali per realizzare un entrata diretta dalla strada Feltrina..."
"Ma come?!? Se sono già stati programmati i meeting tra manager e singolo collaboratore per discutere il personale piano di attività e crescita dell'anno..."
Consapevolezza... Consapevolezza che qualcosa va fatto, tutti assieme, uniti, cercando delle soluzioni ed un dialogo con l'azienda per fare in modo che la sede non venga spostata o che, se questo non è possibile, avvenga nel modo più "indolore" (che brutta parola) per tutte le persone che hanno contribuito affinchè The North Face diventasse un marchio leader nel suo settore.
Perchè in quel freddo e grigio giovedì pomeriggio queste persone non si sarebbero mai aspettate questa notizia...
Prior the event
On a normal Thursday afternoon mid November: cold and grey.
A normal e-mail sent to all employees to invite them to the usual end of quater meeting to share numbers, comments and prospects.
A normal auditorium with chairs, projector and flipchart.
A normal coming and going of people trying to find the best position (some far away from the speaker like at school) and a chair where to stay comfortable.
Normal rumours and smiling before the start of the meeting. However... There was a feeling something strange would have occured: the schedule of the meeting in the afternoon instead of the morning as usual habit; the presence of the VF European HR Director together with two men dressed up in tie and jacket; a strange meeting with the directors few minutes before in order to reassure their teams for what would have been said later on during the company meeting.
The announcement
and... the announcement.
It can be summarized as follows: VF Corp, regardless the positive sales and turnover results achieved by The North Face Italy, has strategically decided to move the premises from Pederobba to Lugano in order to concentrate and rationalize resources and synergies between the various VF brands.
Therefore the italian location will be closed and VF will ask the employees (some, not all) to relocate to Switzerland. For those who will not accept or for the voluntary redundancies, the company will propose "social cushions" that will need to be agreed with the trade unions.
Behaviours
Dismay, incredulity, sorrow, anger, confusion, uncertainty...
"What?!? Only 2 weeks ago during the salesmeeting we were told what great results had been achieved and what growing targets were expected for the coming years (years, not days or months...)"
"What?!? We have recruitements in place in order to strengthen and expand the internal staff..."
"What?!? Just few days before the company discussed a plan for a direct car access from the Feltrina road together with the local authorities..."
"What?!? Appraisal meetings have already been planned between manager and team member to discuss the yearly personal committment plan and achievement of agreed goals..."
Awareness... awareness something must be done, all together, a joint force, with the aim to find solutions and have a dialogue with the company to avoid the moving of the premises. In case this will not be possible, to ensure the transition will be as less "painful" (what a terrible word) as can be for all the people who have contributed to the success and leadership of The North Face brand.
All those people would have never expected such an announcement during that cold and grey thursday afternoon...
Perchè in quel freddo e grigio giovedì pomeriggio queste persone non si sarebbero mai aspettate questa notizia...
Prior the eventA normal e-mail sent to all employees to invite them to the usual end of quater meeting to share numbers, comments and prospects.
A normal auditorium with chairs, projector and flipchart.
A normal coming and going of people trying to find the best position (some far away from the speaker like at school) and a chair where to stay comfortable.
Normal rumours and smiling before the start of the meeting. However... There was a feeling something strange would have occured: the schedule of the meeting in the afternoon instead of the morning as usual habit; the presence of the VF European HR Director together with two men dressed up in tie and jacket; a strange meeting with the directors few minutes before in order to reassure their teams for what would have been said later on during the company meeting.
The announcement
and... the announcement.
It can be summarized as follows: VF Corp, regardless the positive sales and turnover results achieved by The North Face Italy, has strategically decided to move the premises from Pederobba to Lugano in order to concentrate and rationalize resources and synergies between the various VF brands.
Therefore the italian location will be closed and VF will ask the employees (some, not all) to relocate to Switzerland. For those who will not accept or for the voluntary redundancies, the company will propose "social cushions" that will need to be agreed with the trade unions.
Behaviours
Dismay, incredulity, sorrow, anger, confusion, uncertainty...
"What?!? Only 2 weeks ago during the salesmeeting we were told what great results had been achieved and what growing targets were expected for the coming years (years, not days or months...)"
"What?!? We have recruitements in place in order to strengthen and expand the internal staff..."
"What?!? Just few days before the company discussed a plan for a direct car access from the Feltrina road together with the local authorities..."
"What?!? Appraisal meetings have already been planned between manager and team member to discuss the yearly personal committment plan and achievement of agreed goals..."
Awareness... awareness something must be done, all together, a joint force, with the aim to find solutions and have a dialogue with the company to avoid the moving of the premises. In case this will not be possible, to ensure the transition will be as less "painful" (what a terrible word) as can be for all the people who have contributed to the success and leadership of The North Face brand.
All those people would have never expected such an announcement during that cold and grey thursday afternoon...
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