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Group Members | Ali Butt, Ameer Taimur Ali, Anum Iftikhar, Natasha Farooq, Sadaf Ikram, Syeda

Madeeha Atta

HUMAN
RESOURCE
MANAGEME
AKZO NOBLE ICI PAINTS PAKISTAN
NT
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Overview Of The Organization:

ICI has consistently developed new and innovative areas of business since its formation in December
1926, by the merger of four of the largest chemical companies in the UK. ICI today is a collection of
world-class businesses, many of them leaders in their sectors. They are strongly led, technologically
sophisticated with healthy and sustainable long-term growth prospects.

ICI Pakistan Limited was set up as a public limited company in Pakistan in 1952. ICI’s presence in this
part of the world, however, predates the formation of the public limited company and indeed, Pakistan
itself. The Khewra Soda Ash Company, a predecessor of ICI Pakistan Limited, set up a soda ash
manufacturing facility in Khewra in 1944 with a capacity of 18,000 tons per annum. This facility was
sited next to the salt range as rock salt and limestone; two key raw materials for manufacturing soda ash
were available here in abundance.

The turnover of ICI Pakistan Limited in 2007 was Rs 25.97 billion and the profit before tax crossed Rs.
2.77 Billion. It is one of the largest quoted companies on the Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad Stock
Exchanges with a paid up share capital of Rs 1.39 billion. The company has around 1300 permanent
employees.

ICI Pakistan now operates as an independent business unit within Akzo Nobel and as a part of its
specialty chemicals portfolio.

ICI Pakistan has, and continues to develop, a portfolio of businesses that are major players within their
respective industries, bringing together outstanding knowledge of customer needs with leading edge
technology platforms to provide superior products to its customers. Through these attributes, it aims to
create superior value for ICI customers and shareholders, without compromising its commitment to
safety, health, environment and the communities in which it operates.
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History Of Akzo Nobel IcI Pakistan

Akzo Nobel is the largest global paints and Coatings Company and a major producer of specialty
chemicals. It is a Fortune 500 company, and is listed on the Euro next Amsterdam stock exchange as well
as being included on the FTSE4Good Index, and is also Chemicals Industry leader on the Dow Jones
Sustainability Indexes.

On 2nd January 2008 Akzo Nobel made an offer for the acquisition of ICI Plc. Akzo Nobel is a Fortune
Global 500, reputedly the Chemicals industry leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes and is
included on the FTSE4Good Index. It is a British company, with subsidiaries all over the globe. It was
formed in 1926 from the union of four British companies, Brunner Mond, Nobel Explosives, United
Alkali Company and British Dyestuffs Corporation. Over the 80 years of its life it has established its
name and has created an excellent reputation for itself and its products. However when Akzo Nobel
acquired ICI in January 2008, it became the holding company of ICI Pakistan Ltd. Akzo Nobel ICI
Pakistan limited is no longer a subsidiary but functions as an independent business unit within Akzo
Nobel

Akzo Nobel formal offer for the acquisition of ICI Plc, the parent company of ICI Omicron B.V., was
approved by the shareholders of both companies as well as regulatory authorities, and the take-over
process was completed on 2 January 2008, making Akzo Nobel the ultimate holding company of ICI
Pakistan Limited

Akzo Nobel is a dynamic, forward-looking company that strives to deliver only the best of products and
solutions to its customers and that is driven by a set of values geared toward challenging the future,
thinking with courage, and delivering tomorrow’s answers today, all to benefit the customer by
maintaining competitiveness and anticipating future needs before they arise.
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Akzo Nobel IcI Pakistan Division

Akzo Nobel ICI Paints is the leading paint manufacturing company in Pakistan and it has five businesses
in Pakistan, namely:

 Polyester
 Soda Ash
 Paints
 Chemicals
 Life Science
As an organization, Akzo Nobel ICI Pakistan has incorporated into its administration the same business
ethics that have made Akzo Nobel a success. As it says in their mission statement, Akzo Nobel ICI Paints
focuses on “running a high quality, profitable and growth oriented business in an exciting and safe
business environment.” Akzo Nobel ICI Paints believe in

 Giving customers products and services that improve their future


 In promoting and embracing new ideas and thinking perspectives
 In developing and nurturing new and existing talents of their employees
 In having the strength and courage to question ourselves and our existing norms
In doing all things with integrity and taking responsibilities for our actions

Akzo Nobel ICI Paints main business activity is manufacturing and distributing high quality paints to
their customers. Their vision is to “further strengthen their position as the leading paint company in
Pakistan and drive their operations to world class standards with a relentless commitment to Safety,
Security and Health coupled with Business Excellence.”
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INTERNAL ANALYSIS

SWOT Analysis

After studying the ICI paints strategies, and its performance we have identified some strengths, weakness
opportunities and threats.

Strengths

1. ICI’s Positive Image


ICI has positive image and reputation in the minds of customers so far them it’s a great strength because
its helps in the sale of their products.

2. Financial Strength Of The Business


The paints business is financially very strong as mentioned by present annual report.

3. Established Nation- Wide Infra-Structure


The ICI paints business has established nation-Wide infrastructure. It has network of dealers in all over
the country, which will help in the sale of company’s products.

4. Committed and enthusiastic staff


5. Up -To -Date Technology
ICI paints have up to date technology in its production. ICI paints Pakistan claim that they offer colors to
the customers out of which customer can demand any color and then they will make that color for
customer. For that they have latest machinery in which they just give name of the color that customer
want and then machinery gave them the formula which will produce that particular color a then they will
produce that color for the customer

Weaknesses

1. No Distribution Network

The major weakness of ICI paints business is that they don’t have their own distribution network. They
just have dealers in different cities which carry their products and then retailers have to use their own
means to get paint from those dealers and then make it available for sale for the customer.
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Opportunities

1. Increase Quality Awareness Among The Customers

One of the greatest opportunities for ICI paints is that now a day’s people are very much conscious about
the quality of the paints and they are aware of the fact that good quality paint is long lasting. As ICI is
producing high quality so it will increase the demand of company’s so it is a great opportunity for ICI
paint

2. Increasing Paints Markets

Another opportunity for ICI is that as now a days in Afghanistan re-construction of the country is taking
places o there will be great demand for paints and ICI paints can reap this opportunity by exporting paints
products to Afghanistan and can earn great profits

Threats

1. Decrease in construction activity

Due to decrease in the construction activity in the country the company’s sales are decreasing as
compared to previous few years

2. Increase competition from cheap paints producers

Cheap paints producers capture almost 60% of the market share of paints so it’s a great threat for ICI
paints because other companies will share the market as well
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Mission Statement

“To be the partner of first choice for customers and suppliers, ensuring sustained leadership position in
the markets where we compete, delivering long-term business value through a high performance culture,
innovation, ethics and responsible care”

Values

Our values define what we are and what we aim to be. They reflect the way we should operate both
internally and externally. And they’re summed up in the line ‘Tomorrow’s Answers Today’.
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Vision And Values

We believe in

Focusing on our customers’ future first


Embracing entrepreneurial thinking
Developing the talents of our people
The courage and curiosity to question
Integrity and responsibility in our actions

These values give us standards to measure ourselves by, particularly in our dealings with customers,
suppliers, our own people and the wider world. The values have real meaning for us and the way we
behave. What these values mean is explained in a great detail as follows.

Focusing On Our Customers’ Future First


We can guarantee our future only by giving our customers products and services that improve their future.
So this value comes first. It’s our priority and the reason why we exist. We’ve always met the needs of
our customers that are why we’ve grown. But now we make it very clear: it’s the basis of everything we
do.

Embracing Entrepreneurial Thinking


New thinking and new ideas are everything if we’re to compete. So we need an environment and a
mindset that encourages new ideas from individuals and teams.

“Yes”, not “Yes, but...”

Why not? Not “Why?”

We might fail occasionally, but we’ll get great ideas to market more quickly as a result. And we’ll keep
more people with truly original ideas within the company.

Developing The Talents Of Our People


Our business will grow if our people grow too. So we’re committed to professional and personal
development. We’ll do all we can to develop existing talents, nurture new skills and progress within Akzo
Nobel. Through this commitment, we’ll attract and retain people of the highest quality to develop the
business.
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The Courage And Curiosity To Question


Akzo Nobel isn’t one of those companies with a set way of doing things. We dislike rigid hierarchies and
we want our people to take a broad, interested view of the world. We like them to ask questions. “Is there
a better way?” There generally is a better way, if we challenge ourselves and our customers to look at
things differently. It’s the way we improve.

Integrity And Responsibility In Our Actions


Business needs to work within a framework. Our employees have to be aware of rules and regulations
that they must comply with, in whatever part of the world they work. But integrity and responsibility go
deeper than that. They’re about doing things in the right way, as individuals and as a company.

Ethical and responsible behavior matters to our business. If we do the right things, people will know
we’re a company that can be trusted. They’ll then be more likely to work with us and invest in us which
are good for our long-term growth.

Delivering Value To Customers


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Understanding our consumers’ needs has always been our key to delivering value to
them. To suit changing demands we continue to offer new products and solutions true to the foundations
of our customer focused strategy. Each of our businesses strives in their own unique way to produce value
that exceeds expectations.

Paints

Given our reputation as market leaders in innovation in the paints & coatings industry, we have to our
credit the development of the first odorless enamel range enabling our customers to enjoy their newly
painted homes without the unpleasant smell normally associated with paints. Through our newly launched
channel modernization initiative, we are in the process of enhancing the consumer experience by
modernizing retail outlets and providing value-added services

All this through our well-trained housing and color consultancy team providing new color trends and
interior design solutions at the customer’s doorstep

Soda Ash

Our Soda Ash Business continues to devise innovative ways of delivering value to our customers. An
international standard 50kg laminated pack size was developed under a new initiative for safer handling
and enhanced shelf life and all this at no extra cost to our customers.

Polyester

Our Polyester Business, in its endeavor to provide value to our customers, more efficiently, has switched
its power engines to the more eco-friendly gas, reducing our emissions. In fact we have applied for carbon
credits. This effort not only means that we reduced our carbon footprint by a significant amount, but we
have contributed to the sustainability of the environment.

Chemicals

Our Chemicals Business continues to improve its portfolio of products by including a major new supplier,
enhancing our product range in the textile & construction chemicals sector. This simply means more
choices for our ever-increasing customer base.

Life Sciences
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Our Life Sciences Business ensures high service to its customers by focusing on the training and
development of its large sales team for all three segments. Significant additions to our product range
include vegetable seeds and generic pharmaceuticals, which when complemented by comprehensive
knowledge of these products available with our sales teams results in more choice

Job Description And Job Designs At IcI Paints Pakistan


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Job descriptions are written statements that describe the:

 Duties and responsibilities of a job


 required qualifications of candidates
 working conditions
 supervisory responsibilities

Job descriptions are based on objective information obtained through job analysis, an understanding of
the competencies and skills required to accomplish needed tasks, and the needs of the organization to
produce work.

Job descriptions spell out the responsibilities of a specific job and also include information about working
conditions, tools, equipment used, knowledge and skills needed, and relationships with other positions.

The best job descriptions are living, breathing documents that are updated as responsibilities change. The
best job descriptions do not limit employees, but rather, cause them to stretch their experience, grow their
skills, and develop their ability to contribute within their organization.
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 Strategic Commodity Manager

Business Unit: Polymer Chemicals

Vacancy data Organization Job characteristics


Closing date: Group: Title:
Until further notice Specialty Chemicals Strategic Commodity Manager
Vacancy number: Country: Number of employees needed:
20070650 China 1
Local vacancy Site: Type of Shift or Duty:
number:
TBD (China) Day Shift
Department: Job family:
Global Business Purchasing
Services
Sub Business Unit: Employment contract:
Full time

Job Description

 Organizational context
The Strategic Commodity Manager leads strategic sourcing activities for one or more categories of
raw material spend, with the goal of achieving significant initial cost reductions, and longer term with
year-over-year productivity improvements in the total cost of goods and services procured while
maintaining or improving product quality and vendor service levels. The Strategic Commodity
Manager works closely with key stakeholders from multiple disciplines in internal organizations and
in corporate functions to develop effective cost reduction strategies and implementation plans. Leads
the implementation of cross functional teams and is responsible for proposing in close conference
with key stakeholders the sourcing strategy for the assigned products/package. Leads the execution of
the agreed sourcing strategies in cooperation with purchasing team members across all regions. This
position will be leading several raw materials and raw material groups for EUR 20-30 million in
annual spend. The position reports to the Regional Procurement Manager A/P.

 Responsibility

Principal Accountabilities/Responsibilities The Strategic Commodity Manager’s primary responsibility is


the realization of savings, including direct savings captured through pooling BU-wide purchasing
volumes, and savings captured from other TCO cost reduction initiatives for the raw materials assigned.
The Strategic Commodity Manager has the following specific areas of responsibility: • Sourcing Develop
and maintain an up to date knowledge database; Remain current with market trends through relationships
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with vendors and market experts; Executing regular market research in the region and globally in
cooperation with the regional purchasing teams to identify new suppliers; Identifying, initiating and
tracking of alternative source approvals in close conference with the business, technology and the
purchasing organization; Maintaining a working knowledge of applicable federal, state and local laws and
regulations as well as any internal policies or procedures to ensure that the behavior exhibited by the
organization is honest, ethical and professional. Proposing Sourcing Strategies Lead and participate in
cross-functional teams in the development of sourcing strategies. Forecast budgetary impact and track
actual savings and/or cost avoidance in line with overall KPI measurement; Adjusts sourcing strategies
based on supplier performance and Business Unit input. • Leading Commodity Sourcing Teams
Organizing regular team meetings with the appropriate stakeholders to review progress on the agreed
sourcing strategy; Ensure strategies are implemented and TCO reductions secured according to
implementation plans; Contract compliance will be actively monitored by the Strategic Commodity
Manager together with the regional procurement teams; Broadly communicate performance against these
performance measures and work with stakeholders to ensure savings are incorporated into annual
operating plans;

 Job Requirements / Candidate Profile

Skill Requirements Professional BA required with MBA preferred; other graduate degree potentially
acceptable

 Successful, multi-year track record in a purchasing organization

 Experienced in taking part in /leading cross functional sourcing teams in an industrial


environment

 Specific commodity experience preferred Technical

 Exceptional problem-solving and analytical skills able to construct/execute multiple complex


analyses (e.g.: TCO, NPV, cost-price analyses) simultaneously

 Good planning/project management skills able to develop comprehensive workable issue sets in
complex situations • Strong negotiating skills

 Quick study – able to gain a fact based understanding of current supplier base, supplier
economics and major trends in relevant markets
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 Fluency in English required, mastering multiple languages is a distinct advantage Behavioral

 Good communication and interpersonal skills Being able to bring together multiple stakeholders
from different disciplines and different geographical regions and cultures.

 Passion for reducing costs exhibits high energy and the enthusiasm to establish a new approach
to sourcing

 Comfortable with conflict willingness to challenge “conventional” thinking

 Self starter and independent worker able to juggle priorities

 Able to work in a matrix environment and aggressively take the lead on implementation of
savings opportunities that affect numerous lines of business

 Lead Mechanical Engineer

Business Unit: Technology


Vacancy data Organization Job characteristics
Closing date: Group: Title:
Until further notice Others Lead Mechanical Engineer
Vacancy number: Country: Number of employees needed:
20070605 China 1
Local vacancy Site: Type of Shift or Duty:
number:
-- Shanghai Day Shift
Department: Job family:
Maintenance & Engineering
Sub Business Employment contract:
Unit:
Full time

Job Description

 Organizational Context
Akzo Nobel Technology & Engineering Our main strength is our ability to deliver a broad range of
services – all based on a combination of in-house expertise with knowledge of our customers’
business objectives and manufacturing needs. As specialists in Project & Design Management and
Process & Manufacturing Support, we have a long track record in the process industries. This means
we can deliver innovative solutions for new projects, and make sustainable improvements to
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manufacturing over the full lifecycle. We are able to provide extensive expertise in Health, Safety,
Environment, Sustainable Development, and Regulatory affairs, Toxicology and Materials and
Powder Technology. We operate on all major continents with 250 employees located at branches in
the Netherlands, Sweden, USA and China. Our customers are business units of Akzo Nobel as well as
third parties.

 Responsibility

Support the Project / Engineering Manager with regard to Mechanical Equipment engineering issues.
Support and coordinate with detailed engineering contractor and manufactory, ensure process intent
implemented from Basic Engineering Package into detailed engineering and manufacturing process. Shall
have a deep knowledge about rotating equipment, like compressors, pumps, etc., and special Units like
drum filing, refrigeration unit, etc. Coordinate, monitor & control all Mechanical Equipment engineering
activities towards the Detail Engineering Contractor working at the individual project. Represent the
owner's interests in the project towards the EPCM Contractor, Vendors, construction companies, etc.
Provide functional leadership and support to the Mechanical Equipment engineering team of EPCM
Contractor. Establish local know-how and market contacts in the relevant discipline and share with other /
new project teams in the region or Akzo Nobel, Netherlands. Establish and keep close contact to the
related engineering discipline at Akzo Nobel, Netherlands (good English skills required). Evaluate
Technical Bids from Supplier (Technical Bid Evaluation). Check of Vendor Drawings; perform Vendor
shop audits and visits as required. Supervise Cost and Schedule for Mechanical Part in a Project.

 Job requirements / Candidate profile

 Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering Minimum 7 to 10 years experience as a Mechanical


Engineer in petrochemical /chemical/ pharmaceutical or related industry

 Good understanding of international and local codes, standards, regulations shall be very
commutative and pro-active Background in the following is preferred:

 International engineering/chemical company Large chemical design institute


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Implementation And Use Of HRIS

(Human Resource Information Systems)

Human Resource Information System (HRIS) merges human resource management with information
technology to not only simplify the decision making process, but also aid in complex negotiations that fall
under the human resource umbrella. The basic advantage of a Human Resource Information System
(HRIS) is to not only computerize employee records and databases but to maintain an up to date account
of the decisions that have been made or that need to be made as part of a human resource management
plan.

The four principal areas of HR that are affected by the Human Resource Information System (HRIS)
include; payroll, time and labor management, employee benefits and HR management. These four basic
HR functionalities are not only made less problematic, but they are ensured a smooth running, without
any hitch. A Human Resources Information System (HRIS) thus permits a user to see online a
chronological history of an employee from his /her position data, to personal details, payroll records, and
benefits information.

HRIS at ICI paints is a comprehensive platform that integrates all the key HR functions. It makes use of
automated software to reduce manual work time, increase efficiency and standardize procedures.
Communication regarding HR policies is relayed on a dedicated Lotus Notes e-mail system which can be
accessed by the employees through their personal logins. The HRIS stores all the main information about
recruitment, performance appraisal, employee compensation and training and development. It also
streamlines procedures such as HR demand forecasting, payroll generation as well as extraction of
performance reports. The HRIS is developed and maintained by ICI’s IT department which provides
round the clock service and assistance.

To make a human resource department more effective and efficient new technologies are now being
introduced on a regular basis so make things much simpler and more modernized. One of the latest
human resource technologies is the introduction of a Human Resources Information System (HRIS); this
integrated system is designed to help provide information used in HR decision making such as
administration, payroll, recruiting, training, and performance analysis
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Recruitment And Selection Process

 Human Resource Planning


The recruitment process at Akzo Nobel ICI paints consists of numerous phases starting off with labor
demand and supply forecasting, moving on to formal assessment all the way up to the final selection. Mr.
Hassan Aftab (HR Lead for Akzo Nobel Paints business), was of the view that the recruitment process
always begins with identifying the vacant positions and outlining the job descriptions. It was emphasized
that it is very important to ensure that a predetermined number of employees with the relevant skills are
available in the future. The HR department uses a comprehensive quantitative approach to forecast future
HR requirements. This is done by looking at empirical data from the past from different divisions and
relating that to the growth in those respective divisions. Also if new divisions are added, estimates are
made using data from other divisions. This gives the HR department a clear idea of how to plan the
recruitment.

 Recruitment Methods and Policy


Mr. Aftab stressed the importance of HR planning since based on this assessment the HR department
decides whether to opt for external or internal recruitment. Internal recruitment usually serves to fill in
positions that are relatively higher up in the hierarchy. If there are employees present within the
organization who fulfill the criteria then there is no need for external recruitment. Otherwise external
recruitment is preferred.

External recruitment is further classified into entry level and lateral hiring. Lateral hiring is associated
with recruiting experienced professionals from the external job market to fill in the higher managerial
posts within the organization. It was interesting to observe that Mr. Aftab emphasized that Akzo Nobel
ICI discouraged lateral hiring (head hunting) and practiced it only in times of dire need when there were
no suitable personnel within the organization. We believe however that ICI should pursue a mix of
internal and external hiring. This is because employees who start from an entry level and stay up to go in
to the higher hierarchical levels may develop a single tracked thinking and bringing in people from the
outside might lend in fresh and new perspectives to situations.

 Recruitment Activity
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The entry level management trainee (MTO) and commercial trainee (CTO) program formed the backbone
when it came to the development of the human resources at Akzo Nobel ICI paints since they strongly
believed in internal hiring.

Mr. Aftab stressed on the fact that “the ideology at Akzo Nobel ICI paints was to develop future leaders
rather than hire successful managers externally.” This justified why the MTO and CTO program were at
the centre stage of the strategic recruitment process. Moreover he went on to reveal the fact that the
current Vice President and the General Manager of Akzo Nobel ICI paints were themselves management
trainees to begin with.

Analyzing the entry level recruitment process in detail Akzo Nobel ICI paints aims to attract fresh
graduates from leading universities such as LUMS, IBA, and LSE to name a few from across the country.
For this purpose Akzo Nobel ICI paints conducts annual road shows and publicity campaigns. The
applicants are made to sit in for a recruitment test followed by a series of group discussions and
comprehensive interviews before they are formally inducted into the company. Mr. Aftab pointed out that
the ideal candidate was one who possessed a high degree of potential, a logical mind and was capable of
working under challenging situations. Apart from this, a minimum GPA and inter personal skills were
also of significance. The new recruits are then subject to a one year probation period after which they are
confirmed as permanent employees
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Performance Management And Appraisal System:

The Human Resource Department at Akzo Nobel ICI has designed a Performance and Development
Dialogue (P&D) which serves as an effective tool for carrying out performance appraisal. The P&D
follows the Management by Objectives (MBO) framework, whereby both the superior and the
subordinate after mutual consultation set objectives that are to be achieved in a given time period. At the
end of the period, performance of the employee is evaluated, hence identifying weaknesses and
deficiencies. The HR department believed that the MBO was much more effective as an appraisal system
and served to lessen resentment in the employees and making the appraisal procedure less political and
more effective.

The performance appraisal also takes into account feedback from all employees across departments
regarding the effectiveness of the appraisal system and incorporating any useful suggestions to make the
system more efficient.
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COMPENSATION PRACTICES

Motivation is one of the most important factors that set apart the employees of an organization and their
overall job satisfaction and productivity. It is what drives the competitive edge, enabling an organization
to outperform its competitors owing to its highly motivated work force. Motivation includes
compensating and rewarding the employees for their performance, creating a safe and conducive
environment as well as addressing issues that lead to dissatisfaction.

 Salary Structure
Akzo Nobel ICI paints in order to motivate its workers offers a wide range of incentives. The monetary
benefits include a salary structure that is a mix of pay for performance as well as dependent on the
hierarchical level. Salary increments and bonuses also act as encouraging tools to extract good
performance and high productivity. The overall salary package for a CTO (Commercial Trainee Officer)
is Rs. 45,000 and that for a MTO (Management Trainee Officer) is Rs. 60,000 both of which are slightly
above market average for the respective posts.

 Fringe Benefits
ICI paints offer a comprehensive retirement pension plan which is a huge incentive for the employees.
There is also a free lifetime health insurance which covers for the whole family even after the retirement.
Moreover, the focus is to motivate workers by assigning them challenging tasks along with giving them
full independence regarding how to go about achieving their goals. Thus the management aims to provide
a working environment in which the employees feel engaged and consider themselves to be an integral
part of the organization.

The overall compensation plan is oriented to be in line with the strategic business objectives and
harboring leadership and entrepreneurial qualities within the employees. It is focused on the employees
giving them maximum incentive to bring out high levels of productivity as well as inculcate loyalty.
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Training And Development At IcI Pakistan

Training Need Analysis (TNA)

Training Needs Assessment (TNA) takes cognizance of the need to develop competent, resourceful and
responsible like ICI Pakistan to steer the tasks of getting competitive advantage through skillful,
competent and state-of-the are training techniques for its employees. It seeks to strengthen the capacity
for effectiveness of public service at all levels of as an organization through the delivery of continuous,
competency-based, responsive and demand-driven training. The rationale for individual skills
enhancement can be linked with organizational, task and job competency in the TNA deliverables. At the
organizational level, capacity building requires the elaboration and establishment of enabling
management systems, structures, processes, and procedures. At the policy and institutional level, capacity
building includes making legal and regulatory changes to enable the leaders at all levels to enhance their
capacities.

This toolkit is intended as a step-by-step guide for managers, senior officers, and trainers interested in
designing, implementing and monitoring Training Needs Assessment (TNA) in organizations like ICI
Pakistan. It has been designed, keeping in view the needs of the industry in Pakistan and especially the
work environment and is based on the lessons and experiences drawn from a large variety of sectors in
different countries across the world. This toolkit encourages the user to adopt the needs assessment
process prescribed therein. The user may add additional steps or expand or modify the existing ones to
plan and conduct needs assessments that bring the greatest benefits to ICI Pakistan as a whole.
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In House Vs External Training


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Assess The Organization Approach To Managing People And Managing The Organization As A
Whole
Human Resource has been extremely vigilant in providing a constant resource of highly skilled
employees. It believes in continuous improvement and is taking the standards of service to the utmost
levels of excellence.

From providing the best administrative support to facilitate employees work life to creating benchmark
security solutions, we are a team of enthusiastic, energetic young people who are geared to perform the
best always! From being the best in providing benefits to our employees to the best in providing
development opportunities, we have managed to create a culture of passion for business, operational
excellence and constant renewal. HR is committed to assisting employees in exploring, developing and
maximizing their full potential, encouraging continuing education through internal and external training
and development opportunities.

Human Resource Management (HRM) deals with formal systems for the management of people within an
organization. HRM in the recent past has assumed a vital strategic role mainly due to the organization’s
attempt to transform their human resources in to a source of competitive advantage. During the course of
our interaction with Mr. Hassan Aftab, the Human Resource (HR) Manager of Akzo Nobel ICI paints
division; it was evident that the HR department was making a pivotal contribution towards the operational
success of the company in addition to strategic change leading to competitive transformation. The HR
department focuses on all aspects ranging from Recruitment, Training & Development, Performance
Appraisals, Employee Compensation and Employee Health and Safety Measures

Health and safety are also key concerns for the management at Akzo Nobel ICI paints. For this purpose
there exists an independent department called the Safety, Health, Environment and Security (SHES)
which is constantly engaged in ensuring a safe and healthy work environment as well as eliminating any
possible hazards. The Safety, Heath, Environment and Security (SHES) department is very well
established and active at Akzo Nobel ICI and utmost importance is given to the implementation of the
policies. Hassan Aftab said that for any new employee or intern there is an SHES orientation and test. All
SHES policies are clearly outlined and explained to the new recruits. The recruits then take a test which is
used to gauge their information retention with respect to the SHES orientation. Those who fail the test are
Akzo Noble IcI Paints Pakistan P a g e | 26

reoriented. This is a comprehensive way of orienting the recruits and minimizing costs due to any health
or safety hazards.

A person entering the factory has to wear a helmet, mask, long boots, glasses and these kits are provided
by Akzo Nobel ICI to every worker and even visitors. Other safety measures include restrictions on using
cell phones while walking, or reading anything while getting off the stairs. These measures were actually
seen in implementation which gives an impression that indeed the Akzo Nobel ICI people were concerned
about the safety of the employees. The security system was also robust and no visitor was allowed to
enter in the vicinity of Akzo Nobel ICI without being accompanied by an Akzo Nobel ICI employee.

Employee Stress

Stress is a major concern for any organization. Increased levels of stress among employees can often lead
to reduced productivity and even burnout in extreme cases. If appropriate safety nets are not provided for
employees to manage stress, and the organizational workload is too stressful it can even lead to employee
dissatisfaction and high turnover rate.

ICI realizes this and has taken steps to help employees overcome stress. They have built in a mini golf
area on their premises. Employees can take time off to enjoy themselves playing golf while they de stress.
There are also regular team-building tours which give employees a break from work and help not only to
reduce stress but also act as strengthening the mutual bonds, positive working relationships and foster
cohesion amongst the employees.

The overall motivation and satisfaction level of the workforce, from the factory workers to the managers
was high and most of them seemed to be enjoying working at Akzo Nobel ICI. In response to the various
employee and staff interviews that we conducted, it was observed that the employees at Akzo Nobel ICI
paints were highly motivated and satisfied with management policies. This was further supported by a
very nominal average annual labor turnover figure of 3 to 4 percent.

Thus the HRM at ICI is doing an excellent job for their employees ranging from the compensation and
benefits to the safety regulations for their employees in order to ensure their maximum protection. ICI
Pakistan has ensured top level working conditions for their employees allowing them to perform well as
well (due to hygiene and motivation factors) like salary raise and fringe benefits that allows the
employees at ICI to be number one in the Paint industry in Pakistan providing the company with
competitive advantage and a huge market share in the Pakistan Paint Industry.
Akzo Noble IcI Paints Pakistan P a g e | 27

An excellent recruitment and state of the art selection procedure by the organization has led it to maintain
its huge market share, along with continuous expansion into other products as well. The employees are
well motivated, well aware and well suited for ICI paints Pakistan which provides the company an edge
over all the other in our country.

 Assess The Organization’s Overall Effectiveness


 ICI’s Overall Effectiveness
ICI’s professionals can provide you quick feedback as they hire knowledgeable professionals. ICI focuses
on the quality and this is the result of experience gained in years. ICI measures its services through
continuous monitoring and data analysis that are base on certain parameters. The efficiency of the HR
team largely depends on the key performance indicators (KPI’s).

 Key Performance Indicators


• Realistic growth expectations
• Drive for operational effectiveness
• Developing a culture for sustainable improvement

The Human Resource Department has established these KPI’s for them and believe that they are the best
way to track for the future progress. Accelerating profitable growth will require an increase in the rate of
new product innovation, as well as growing our businesses rapidly in the developing world. We have
therefore defined KPI’s to measure our performance. For innovation, we have set ourselves a KPI of
achieving at least 25% of Group sales from products launched within the previous 3 years. This is
illustrative of our concentration on profitable top-line growth and highlights the importance of our
Technology and Marketing functions working together, and building on our extensive knowledge of
customer and consumer needs.

As far as the second KPI is concerned, there are three major areas for improvements: operations cost
reduction, 'cost-to-serve' our different customers, cross-business approach to reorganizing the support
functions, including Applied Research, Human Resources, Finance, and IT

The third strategic objective is developing a culture of sustainable improvement; being conscious of the
needs of our stakeholders and the environment whilst also seeking to continue our economic growth.
Akzo Noble IcI Paints Pakistan P a g e | 28

Evidence Of Growth In ICI

3500
3130
3000 2769

2500
2118
2000
Profit Before Taxation
1612
1500
1110
1000 807

500

0
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

The graph shows that from year 2003 to 2008 ICI’s profit before tax is increasing continuously. This is
only because of stable performance and good policy implementation. Moreover, proper recruitment of
staff and getting best form them is also on factor in improve profits.
Akzo Noble IcI Paints Pakistan P a g e | 29

Turnover Ratio
35000 31922

30000
25988

25000 22156 21948


21303 21504

20000 Turnover Ratio

15000

10000

5000

0
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Akzo Noble IcI Paints Pakistan P a g e | 30

The turnover graph shows that from 2003 to 2008 there are periods when the turn over decreased but with
the passage of time it has improved and now up till 2008 it was $31,922.

Operating Profit
3500
3352
3000 2984

2500 2479

2000 1842
Operating Profit
1500 1347
1088
1000

500

0
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008

Operating profits graph illustrates that these profits are also increasing from 2003 to 2008. The operating
profits figure in 2008 is $3,352.
Akzo Noble IcI Paints Pakistan P a g e | 31

Assess The Role Of Hr Practice In Contributing To Organizational Effectiveness

“The Talent Factory”

ICI Pakistan is one of the largest companies in the country. Moreover, an employer of choice With a
human capital of over 1,300 employees in their Talent Factory, they know that their employees shape
their company’s future. The talent factory team is on a mission: to unleash the organization’s intellectual
energy to propel extraordinary business growth. We value and encourage continuous improvement at all
levels - all for forming a sustainable structure that will carry us through this climate of change

The Human Resource Effectiveness can be analyzed by calculating the following ratios: staffing ratios,
employee turnover, occupational health and safety and sick leave, human resource budgets, overtime and
recruitment, and salary costs and profit ratios. There can be specific benchmark calculations like HR staff
percentage in comparison to total staff, budget per employee in HR department the percentage of HR
budget as percentage of revenue.

 HR practice in ICI

ICI has diversified their products, services and shown creativity in their advertising campaigns. The
company has exercised the same level of creativity in developing their way of work. ICI has established a
unique and new way to carry out their operations with a key focus on quality, simplicity coupled with
productivity and output.

At ICI, they understand that their business will grow only if our people grow too. This is why one of their
values is all about developing human resource talent. They firmly believe all our employees have talents
that need to be developed and nurtured.

For implementing work structures that should go beyond the normal forms of reflective channels of
communication, ICI seeks their employees’ performance.
Akzo Noble IcI Paints Pakistan P a g e | 32

Equality is the essence of the ICI, where the CEO, VPs, Directors, Managers, Executives and Officers all
share the same workspace and there’s an open system of communication among them.

 Human Resource Planning


The recruitment process at Akzo Nobel ICI paints consists of numerous phases starting off with labor
demand and supply forecasting, moving on to formal assessment all the way up to the final selection. Mr.
Hassan Aftab (HR Lead for Akzo Nobel Paints business), was of the view that the recruitment process
always begins with identifying the vacant positions and outlining the job descriptions. It was emphasized
that it is very important to ensure that a predetermined number of employees with the relevant skills are
available in the future. The HR department uses a comprehensive quantitative approach to forecast future
HR requirements. This is done by looking at empirical data from the past from different divisions and
relating that to the growth in those respective divisions. Also if new divisions are added, estimates are
made using data from other divisions. This gives the HR department a clear idea of how to plan the
recruitment.

 Recruitment Methods and Policy


Mr. Aftab stressed the importance of HR planning since based on this assessment the HR department
decides whether to opt for external or internal recruitment. Internal recruitment usually serves to fill in
positions that are relatively higher up in the hierarchy. If there are employees present within the
organization who fulfill the criteria then there is no need for external recruitment. Otherwise external
recruitment is preferred.

External recruitment is further classified into entry level and lateral hiring. Lateral hiring is associated
with recruiting experienced professionals from the external job market to fill in the higher managerial
posts within the organization. It was interesting to observe that Mr. Aftab emphasized that Akzo Nobel
ICI discouraged lateral hiring (head hunting) and practiced it only in times of dire need when there were
no suitable personnel within the organization. We believe however that ICI should pursue a mix of
internal and external hiring. This is because employees who start from an entry level and stay up to go in
to the higher hierarchical levels may develop a single tracked thinking and bringing in people from the
outside might lend in fresh and new perspectives to situations.
Akzo Noble IcI Paints Pakistan P a g e | 33

 Recruitment Activity
The entry level management trainee (MTO) and commercial trainee (CTO) program formed the backbone
when it came to the development of the human resources at Akzo Nobel ICI paints since they strongly
believed in internal hiring.

Mr. Aftab stressed on the fact that “the ideology at Akzo Nobel ICI paints was to develop future leaders
rather than hire successful managers externally.” This justified why the MTO and CTO program were at
the centre stage of the strategic recruitment process. Moreover he went on to reveal the fact that the
current Vice President and the General Manager of Akzo Nobel ICI paints were themselves management
trainees to begin with.

Analyzing the entry level recruitment process in detail Akzo Nobel ICI paints aims to attract fresh
graduates from leading universities such as LUMS, IBA, and LSE to name a few from across the country.
For this purpose Akzo Nobel ICI paints conducts annual road shows and publicity campaigns. The
applicants are made to sit in for a recruitment test followed by a series of group discussions and
comprehensive interviews before they are formally inducted into the company. Mr. Aftab pointed out that
the ideal candidate was one who possessed a high degree of potential, a logical mind and was capable of
working under challenging situations. Apart from this, a minimum GPA and inter personal skills were
also of significance. The new recruits are then subject to a one year probation period after which they are
confirmed as permanent employees.

Metrics

HR mangers assess the performance of their employees with the help of metrics i.e. some calculations
that can be considered as a judgmental tool in the qualitative and quantitative functioning of the firm .
Metric is the imperative tool to judge the HR practice effectiveness in the firm.

Employee Compensation

Motivation is one of the most important factors that set apart the employees of an organization and their
overall job satisfaction and productivity. It is what drives the competitive edge, enabling an organization
to outperform its competitors owing to its highly motivated workforce. Motivation includes compensating
and rewarding the employees for their performance, creating a safe and conducive environment as well as
addressing issues that lead to dissatisfaction.

Salary Structure
Akzo Noble IcI Paints Pakistan P a g e | 34

Akzo Nobel ICI paints in order to motivate its workers offers a wide range of incentives. The monetary
benefits include a salary structure that is a mix of pay for performance as well as dependent on the
hierarchical level. Salary increments and bonuses also act as encouraging tools to extract good
performance and high productivity. The overall salary package for a CTO (Commercial Trainee Officer)
is Rs. 45,000 and that for a MTO (Management Trainee Officer) is Rs. 60,000 both of which are slightly
above market average for the respective posts.

Fringe Benefits

ICI paints offer a comprehensive retirement pension plan which is a huge incentive for the employees.
There is also a free lifetime health insurance which covers for the whole family even after the retirement.
Moreover, the focus is to motivate workers by assigning them challenging tasks along with giving them
full independence regarding how to go about achieving their goals. Thus the management aims to provide
a working environment in which the employees feel engaged and consider themselves to be an integral
part of the organization.

The overall compensation plan is oriented to be in line with the strategic business objectives and
harboring leadership and entrepreneurial qualities within the employees. It is focused on the employees
giving them maximum incentive to bring out high levels of productivity as well as inculcate loyalty.

Employee Health & Safety

Employee health and safety have become major considerations for any organization. The Occupational
Health and Service (OHS) programs now give provisions for a safe and healthy environment. OHS should
be a part of the performance appraisal so that it enables the HR manager to obtain feedback on the
efficiency and the effectiveness of the organization’s OHS program.

Safety, Health, Environment and Security (SHES)

Health and safety are also key concerns for the management at Akzo Nobel ICI paints. For this purpose
there exists an independent department called the Safety, Health, Environment and Security (SHES)
which is constantly engaged in ensuring a safe and healthy work environment as well as eliminating any
possible hazards. The Safety, Heath, Environment and Security (SHES) department is very well
established and active at Akzo Nobel ICI and utmost importance is given to the implementation of the
policies. Hassan Aftab said that for any new employee or intern there is an SHES orientation and test. All
SHES policies are clearly outlined and explained to the new recruits. The recruits then take a test which is
Akzo Noble IcI Paints Pakistan P a g e | 35

used to gauge their information retention with respect to the SHES orientation. Those who fail the test are
reoriented. This is a comprehensive way of orienting the recruits and minimizing costs due to any health
or safety hazards.

A person entering the factory has to wear a helmet, mask, long boots, glasses and these kits are provided
by Akzo Nobel ICI to every worker and even visitors. Other safety measures include restrictions on using
cell phones while walking, or reading anything while getting off the stairs. These measures were actually
seen in implementation which gives an impression that indeed the Akzo Nobel ICI people were concerned
about the safety of the employees. The security system was also robust and no visitor was allowed to
enter in the vicinity of Akzo Nobel ICI without being accompanied by an Akzo Nobel ICI employee.

Employee Stress

Stress is a major concern for any organization. Increased levels of stress among employees can often lead
to reduced productivity and even burnout in extreme cases. If appropriate safety nets are not provided for
employees to manage stress, and the organizational workload is too stressful it can even lead to employee
dissatisfaction and high turnover rate.

ICI realizes this and has taken steps to help employees overcome stress. They have built in a mini golf
area on their premises. Employees can take time off to enjoy themselves playing golf while they de stress.
There are also regular team-building tours which give employees a break from work and help not only to
reduce stress but also act as strengthening the mutual bonds, positive working relationships and foster
cohesion amongst the employees.

The overall motivation and satisfaction level of the workforce, from the factory workers to the managers
was high and most of them seemed to be enjoying working at Akzo Nobel ICI. In response to the various
employee and staff interviews that we conducted, it was observed that the employees at Akzo Nobel ICI
paints were highly motivated and satisfied with management policies. This was further supported by a
very nominal average annual labor turnover figure of 3 to 4 percent.

Effects

The outcome of appropriate and supreme HR policies is evident from the growth and the number of
products that are there in the market of ICI. It is a symbol of quality and trust. ICI has proved its worth by
making their profit ratio a benchmark in the market they belong to
Akzo Noble IcI Paints Pakistan P a g e | 36

Assess The Challenges And Opportunities Lying Ahead Of The Organization

As mentioned earlier, ICI Paints is a market leader in the global paints and coatings business worldwide
and to attain this position the organization has strived to provide its workers with a global innovative
working atmosphere where they work together to find and share better solutions, making ICI Paints, its
brands, products and services, the first choice for people who want the best. Its strategy is to maintain and
develop its branded leading market positions in the global paints and coatings industry by continuously
improving its level of performance and production.

Now to achieve this goal one of the major objective of the organization is to develop its Human Resource
Department and to do that there are many challenges that the top management has to deal with.
The world is changing at a rapid pace relentlessly and to exist in this competitive environment,
organizations need to evolve and adapt continuously. ICI understands this and is aware that the only way
it can do is by increasing the level of its company’s performance thus improving its HR department. But
in doing so, it encounters several challenges. One of the key obstacles in the way of ICI is the continuous
developments in different aspects of HRM. Every other day new policies and plans are being introduced
and it is extremely difficult for a company to revamp its system altogether and especially of something as
important as HRD which is the backbone of the organization.

Another major challenge faced by ICI is the current financial crisis prevailing in the world economy
which has lead many companies towards downsizing and budget cuts. This has been having drastic
effects for the HR department as it gets the worst budget slash. Therefore, cut down in the budget is
another key hurdle in the way of ICI in attempting to improve its Human Resource department.

Thirdly with the changing trends, the companies’ authoritative culture is now giving way to democratic
culture. The human resources of any company are gaining more importance that its financial resources
thus making their Human Resource Department a strategic member of the executive level hierarchy. If
ICI wants to improve the performance of its company then it also needs to make amendments in its way
Akzo Noble IcI Paints Pakistan P a g e | 37

of working and planning by giving its HR department more access in the areas of development and
organizing which is not easy considering the present authoritarian environment prevalent in the top
management. Bringing a change is another problem that needs to be faced.

Despite all this it is not undeniable that improving the position and status of HR department of ICI can
open new doors of development and growth for the company. If the company is able to retain professional
and skilled people in its Human Resource Department who are capable in dealing with its employees
effectively then the company can go a long way as most of its success depends largely on its employees.
ICI can only remain at the top of the paint and coating business in the world if it’s able to attract and
retain its skilled workers successfully. The secret behind ICIs’ accomplishments is its innovations in this
industry, it lies in the ability of its workers to find solutions unforeseen problems before their competitors
that is keeping them ahead in the market and that is only possible if the workers are provided with sound
and healthy working environment which is capable of enhancing their skills and ideas. Provision of this
atmosphere depends on the HR department. Thus, if ICI focuses on improving its HR department it can
reap wide benefits from it.
Akzo Noble IcI Paints Pakistan P a g e | 38

Awards And Achievements


2nd Best Corporate Report Award 2007

A joint evaluation committee of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan and the Institute of
Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan declared our Annual Report for the year ended December
31 2007 to be the 2nd Best Corporate Report amongst listed companies in the chemical & fertilizer sector.

FBR Award

We were awarded Taxpayers Excellence Award2009 by the Large Taxpayer Unit, Karachi, a
division/function of Federal Board of Revenue, Islamabad. Since 1995, we have paid over Rs 31billion in
Government duties & taxes.

25th MAP Corporate Excellence Award

We were also declared the winner of the 25th MAP Corporate Excellence Award in the chemicals and
allied sector organized by the Management Association of Pakistan. Under this Companies are evaluated
on the basis of financial performance and best management practices.
Akzo Noble IcI Paints Pakistan P a g e | 39

CONCLUSION

“To be the partner of first choice for customers and suppliers, ensuring sustained leadership position in
the markets where we compete, delivering long-term business value through a high performance culture,
innovation, ethics and responsible care.”

After visiting Akzo Nobel ICI a couple of times and interviewing a handful of managers we found out
that every employee had respect, care and a sense of responsibility towards AkzoNobel ICI. The
managers were very well organized and knew exactly what they were required to do and how they should
go about achieving their objectives. Every manager had the mission statement at his desk and was very
well aware of exactly what it meant.

The claim of the HR manager that they recruited people and then made them into successful leaders rather
than directly recruiting successful managers was supported by the fact the Vice President of the Paint
division was a Management Trainee to start with. Similarly the current general business manager was also
a management trainee at the start as well. Such examples show that Akzo Nobel ICI is a merit employer
and that a deserving and capable person gets his due. The HR department is constantly looking for
innovative ways to transform Akzo Nobel ICI’s workforce which lends a competitive edge to the
organization over its rivals making it the success factor behind Akzo Nobel ICI’s performance. Moreover,
the aim goes beyond solely developing such a workforce, extending into ensuring its retention and hence
leading to the realization of Akzo Nobel ICI’s vision.

Another aspect which was observed by our team was the freedom given to the employees in choosing
how to achieve or go about performing a particular task assigned to them. The subordinates enjoyed
complete freedom of working while adhering to the overall norms and values of AkzoNobel ICI.
However this freedom also meant higher accountability as the seniors demanded explanation and
reasoning for every important action, whether it yielded right or wrong consequences.
Akzo Noble IcI Paints Pakistan P a g e | 40

The working environment was very comfortable and every employee was supportive and ready to help
each other in case of need. This was perhaps because of the fact that there wasn’t a ‘boss-junior’
relationship as such. No junior had to take an appointment from his senior in order to discuss something if
the senior was not busy.

This practice results in increasing the job satisfaction of the junior staff as they also feel important and
their motivation increases due to the fact that they have some say and are not mere servants of the
organization. Not to forget, there were formal meetings as well which were pre-planned.

The overall motivation and satisfaction level of the workforce, from the factory workers to the managers
was high and most of them seemed to be enjoying work at Akzo Nobel ICI.

In a nutshell, Akzo Nobel ICI’s workforce was very much committed to following the vision of the top
brass of the management and it would be really difficult for any competing firm to head hunt a manager
from such an organization where the level of loyalty and sense of belonging of the employees was
exemplarily high.

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