Great Place To Work® Announces 'The Great Transformation'

(Oakland, Calif. Oct. 11, 2023) – Today, Great Place To Work® announces The Great Transformation, a groundbreaking, three-year research initiative consisting of 11 organizations including Accenture, Cadence, Cisco, DHL Express, Dow, Encore, Hilton, KPMG, Synchrony, UKG and World Wide Technology. CEOs, CHROs, and Chief Diversity Officers from these organizations have committed to participating in targeted, data-backed pilot initiatives designed to unlock the full potential of all employees and improve organizational productivity, agility, resilience and innovation. 

The first-of-its-kind cohort collectively represents more than 1.4 million global employees across a broad range of industries, including technology, finance, transportation, hospitality, professional services, semiconductors and manufacturing. 

"These companies have boldly taken action to transform their organizations," says Michael C. Bush, CEO of Great Place To Work. "At the peak of COVID they decided to redesign their For All business processes. They have courage in ways that we know most companies do not. These leaders are willing to change, make hard decisions, and commit to finding solutions that will move their business forward. It's one thing to have data that shows how you can improve the experience of your people and your business, but it's another to have the courage to act on that data. That's not easy to do, but that's what these companies have done." 

Great Place To Work used its methodology, backed by 30 years of measuring great company culture, to analyze each cohort member's extensive employee data set to develop and test radical new ways to revolutionize the employee experience.   

"These companies were already great, but they want to be even better," Bush says. "Other companies say, 'We have work to do.' But after three years, these companies will be able to tell the world: 'Look how far we've come.'" 

Cohort companies are making unprecedented strides in their approach to hiring, promoting, and retaining employees from all backgrounds. 

Actions include a range of transformative ideas and pilot initiatives, including how to unlock advocacy throughout organizations by utilizing Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) so they become engines for innovation, talent development, and revenue growth. Other companies are using technology to find new ways to make sure all employees are seen and recognized for promotions. And others are training leaders to lead differently so these new initiatives can succeed. 

"Leaders have to transform and evolve, and these companies understand that to be the best in the world, you need to lead for all," Bush says. "Every leader wants to generate greater innovation and productivity, and by tapping into the full potential of their people, they can do that. A 'for all' leader ensures every employee can contribute their best. Thanks to the work of this cohort, we now have the metrics to measure the experience the leader creates for all levels of their organization. When that happens, companies outperform. That's the future of leadership."

At the end of the three-year initiative in May 2024, Great Place To Work and the cohort will showcase the results at the For All™ Summit in New Orleans. Leaders from the cohort will share which approaches have proven successful and what concrete steps will create more equitable and innovative workplaces for every worker, including women and marginalized communities to hourly workers and mid-managers.  

The impact of The Great Transformation goes beyond the cohort and will inspire organizations around the world to create more equitable workplaces where all people are seen, recognized, and valued for their contributions. 

"This journey isn't just about our cohort; it's about helping businesses all over the world," Bush says. "These 11 companies have opened themselves up to change and transformation and did the hard work so the rest of the world can learn from their experience and insights. This will be as close to a blueprint for the future of work as anything we've seen because the future of work is for all."

Learn more about The Great Transformation, and join the Great Place To Work community to help you on your journey to transform your workplace and become a great place to work for all. 

"Participating in The Great Transformation with GPTW has been an incredible journey and driving force in propelling positive change. We are so grateful to Michael Bush and the invitation for World Wide Technology to join this consortium as it has helped advance our own DEIB efforts by enabling us to share best practices, learn from peers, and consistently enhance our approach. We're dedicated to our partnership with GPTW, continuing to champion diversity and inclusivity, and working collaboratively towards a brighter future for all."

--Jim Kavanaugh, CEO, World Wide Technology