A normal Thursday afternoon in mid-November cold and gray.
A normal mail sent to all employees, as always at the end of the quarter, to convene the meeting where they were given numbers, comments and perspectives.
A normal auditorium chairs, projector and whiteboard.
A normal comings and goings of people seeking the best location (for someone, like at school, as far as possible from the speaker) and a chair to be comfortable.
A normal rumor and smile before the match.
But ...
that something special could happen were the hints: the call for the afternoon, instead of the morning as it was usual practice, the presence of the HR manager for Europe of the group, accompanied by two figures in suits and tie, a strange encounter with their manager, a few minutes before the meeting, made with the intent to reassure on what was said.
Announcement
And then ... the announcement.
summarized as follows: VF Corporation, despite the positive results achieved in sales and turnover by The North Face Italy, decided that, in a strategic rationalization of resources and synergies between the brands of the group, will move its current base in Pederobba in Lugano.
As a result, the Italian unit is closed and employees (some, not all - Ed) promises to move to Switzerland. For those who decide not to go and for "redundancies" planned for use of social safety nets to be agreed with the unions.
reactions
dismay, disbelief, sadness, anger, confusion, uncertainty ...
"What?!? If only two weeks before the sales meeting we talked about the goodness of the results and growth prospects in the coming years (not days or months, but years )..."
"What?!? If we have several ongoing research staff to expand and improve our internal staff ... "
" What?!? If only a few days ago he had discussed with local authorities to make a direct entrance from the street Feltrina ... "
" What?!? If you have already scheduled meetings between managers and individual employees to discuss personal business plan and growth of the year ... "
awareness ... awareness that something goes Indeed, all together, united, looking for solutions and dialogue with the company to ensure that the site is not moved or, if this is not possible to be done as "painless" (what an ugly word) for all people who have contributed so The North Face became a brand leader in its field.
Why in this cold and gray Thursday afternoon, these people would never expect this news ...
Prior the event
On a normal Thursday afternoon mid November: cold and gray.
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...
Why in this cold and gray Thursday afternoon, these people would never expect this news ...
Prior the event 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...
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