GEO AWARD WINNERS

Anglo American's MyShare employee share plan communication program has been recognized with an award for overcoming a complex set of challenges. The plan required implementation in 15 countries and multiple languages, with a particular emphasis on communicating with employees in South America and China. The launch was complicated by economic uncertainty and a lack of understanding among many employees about share plans and ownership.

To address these challenges, Anglo American created an engaging communications campaign with a clear narrative that emphasized the plan's benefits. The campaign was rolled out in four stages, utilizing various communication assets to educate and inform employees at different levels. As a result, 73% of eligible employees accessed their MyShare account to accept their Free Share Award, and 36% opted to invest their own money in the Purchase and Matching Shares Plan.

The judges were impressed by the campaign's thoroughness across events and phases, and how it reflected the company's corporate culture. They also noted the early engagement with local coordinators and managers, which was viewed as a strong point. The follow-up questionnaire proved valuable in identifying areas for improvement in future campaigns, and the use of multiple communication methods to reach employees who don't have access to online tools was seen as a smart and effective strategy.

Overall, the judges were impressed by the campaign's attention to detail, inclusiveness, and potential for continued improvement.

The Coca Cola communications program was created to engage all employees globally, regardless of their job role or location. The comprehensive campaign included launch communications in nine languages, a 90-second animation video, posters and flyers, a Shareworks guide, tax guides, webinars, and intranet portals in local languages. 

The program's success was attributed to creating a meaningful connection between employees and the business's broader vision, elevating excitement about ownership, and making it easy to understand and participate. The program achieved a 37% take-up rate globally, with New Zealand's being the highest at 58%.

Colleagues across the business gave overwhelmingly positive feedback, indicating that the communications were engaging and easy to connect with, leading to an impressive take-up rate. 

The judges were impressed with the comprehensive and well-executed nature of the communications. They felt that the program's focus on inclusivity and accessibility was evident and that the communications were designed to engage a diverse audience, with an effective rollout strategy that considered different learning styles, including animation and accessible step-by-step guides. The integration of the company's core values into the communications was also effective in creating a meaningful connection between employees and the business.

The judges appreciated the consistency of branding with the company's culture and the crisp, modern, eye-catching, and fun materials that conveyed important information.

The RS Group communications program has been recognized by the judges for its innovative approach to creating a global all-employee share ownership plan. The program was designed to resonate with employees across the globe, who come from diverse cultures, ethnicities, genders, ages, and backgrounds. The key objective was to create a simple, impactful, and inclusive plan that would be accessible to all employees, regardless of their location or role within the company.

To achieve this, the communications approach was intentionally relaxed and plain-speaking, avoiding corporate terminology and instead mirroring the RSWay branding. All communication and plan documents were translated to maximize inclusivity, and materials were delivered online, via email, and through the company's SharePoint site, with hard copies provided where necessary. The program also included workshops for employees to learn more about the plan and ensure maximum engagement.

The program successfully granted awards to 7,753 employees in 32 countries, with a 100% take-up rate. Each employee received a free share award over 100 shares, with an approximate value of £1,000 at grant. The plan was designed to be easy for employees to participate in, with no unnecessary barriers, and awards vest in 2025 subject to continued employment and a performance target to grow the company's profit CAGR%.

The judges were impressed by the program's inclusivity, simplicity, and impact, as well as the vibrancy of the materials and the alignment with the company's culture. They noted that the program tackled a difficult topic like PSUs with very simple messaging, making it accessible to all employees. Overall, the RS Group communications program stands out as a comprehensive and innovative approach to creating a global all-employee share ownership plan, and is a deserving winner of its first award