March 1st 2021
The four businesses of the Peruvian holding are now among the top 15 companies in the country according to Great Place To Work 2020.
When the pandemic began, more than 28 thousand companies in Peru invoked a law allowing employee furloughs until the second semester of 2020, according to the Ministry of Labor. Because of this, thousands of workers lost their jobs instantly. Grupo EFE used a different strategy and protected the jobs of over 4,300 workers distributed in four companies: La Curacao, EFE, Motocorp and Financiera Efectiva. “It was a joint decision with the board of directors, because we prioritized taking care of our human capital. We are convinced that our team is our distinguishing factor and time proved us right”, said José Antonio Iturriaga, Grupo EFE’s CEO.
This, in addition to the constant efforts to make Grupo EFE a family, has been one of the main reasons why the Peruvian company, with over 50 years of history, is among the best companies to work in Peru for a second consecutive year, according to Great Place To Work 2020. “We are very proud of this recognition, because genuine concern for our workers is in the company’s DNA. The difficult context of the pandemic has brought out the best in us and this ranking reflects it”, comments Iturriaga.
Instant Digital Transformation
La Curacao, EFE and Motocorp, which are ranked 11th, and Financiera Efectiva, in position 15, had a quick and efficient transfer to remote work, since the digitization plan of Grupo EFE already existed as a plan for operational contingencies. “We counted with all the tools for remote work before the pandemic. The day after quarantine began, more than 600 people from our corporate building were already working remotely, as they had all the tools to do so”, highlights the CEO of Grupo EFE, who offered various benefits to employees such as sending laptops, corporate chairs, printers and other essential materials.
EFE Attitude
The company’s culture is based on the slogan “EFE Attitude”, comprised of three fundamental values at the core of the four businesses: passion for the client, transparency and offering solutions. In addition, their values are lived through the acronym REIR: Responsibility, Experience, Integrity and Respect. “REIR reflects a culture in which we work hard, but also want to have a good time. We have a good working environment that is very horizontal. Our leaders are close to their teams and communicate often. We have a genuine concern for employees and clients. Our company is oriented to the internal and external client,” adds José Antonio Iturriaga.
Improved communication is one of the great lessons left by the pandemic at Grupo EFE. Top management used to worry about the impossibility of meeting with 100% of their workers simultaneously due to the opening hours of their stores, seven days a week. “Now we can run virtual “Elige” events, Grupo EFE’s leadership program, where we gather over 4,300 employees online. We have done it five times this year, and have communicated our strategy, campaigns, and initiatives, everything that we believe is important for all to be aware of,” the CEO adds. In addition, the company used digital channels to provide over 354 thousand hours of training to its teams. “We believe that the company is a medium for the fulfillment of the employees, that is why our decisions are based on our people.”