Gulf Air's 'My Idea' programme receives positive response

Just months into the initiative, Gulf Air's in-house employee suggestion programme 'MyIdea', to help the organization cut costs and improve business, has received an overwhelming response from the employees.

The programme was launched in July and has so far recorded more than 100 suggestions to improve business across the board in areas such as operations, finance, technical, strategy, human resources and marketing and sales.

"We are delighted with this unique 'My Idea' initiative, which has proven to be a great tool to encourage the most important resources of the company, the people, to participate in strengthening our company," says Gulf Air Chief Executive Officer Mr. Bjorn Naf.

"This programme is a way to stimulate the ingenious skills of our people that will benefit both the individuals and our company and we are impressed by its success."

Two staff members, Mr. Faisal Ali Moosa from Line Maintenance Department and Mr. Salman Abdullah Darwish from Worldwide Contact Centre, who came up with practical ideas to cut costs and increase employee productivity, were rewarded by the company management recently.

Gulf Air Chief People Officer Ahmed Al Banna, who is spearheading the initiative, added, "While management is here to guide and inspire, it is the employees who have the knowledge of the inner workings of their respective business units and often they are well aware of underlying issues that management does not see.
The company is already reaping benefits of this successful initiative as employees come up with brilliant suggestions and I am sure there will be more great ideas to propel our company to greater heights."

Gulf Air human resource department, formally called the People's Department, has come up with several initiatives this year that have enhanced the working environment for its employees. This has clearly reflected in the performance of Bahrain’s national carrier, which has managed its best summer performance this year and continues to enjoy record-breaking load factors this year.

Some of the notable enhancements for the employees include, upgrading the performance management systems, inaugurating a customer service centre for staff, new employee-induction process, leadership training, reactivating long service awards, distinguished employee awards, in-house award programmes, automated staff satisfaction surveys and opening up formal communication forum between management and trade union officials.