The best designed and communicated global share plans can be prohibitively expensive and time consuming if not properly managed and operated. The use of paper/print confirmation, enrollment, account management forms and communication materials inherently slows the implementation and management of these plans. Corporate stock plan departments have thus found websites, intranets, electronic tools and other virtual technologies invaluable and cost effective in managing, communicating, and administering global share plans.

The Best Use of Technology award is granted to companies that develop and/or implement innovative, appropriate, and comprehensive technological solutions to share plan administration, communication, and internal project management.

THE 2023 BEST USE OF TECHNOLOGY WINNERS

  • Google

    Over 75,000 employees
    United States
    Google

    PROGRAM NAME: ALPHABET 2021 STOCK PLAN
    EMPLOYEES: 180,000
    COUNTRIES: 57
    PARTNERS: BAKER MCKENZIE CHARLES; SCHWAB CLEARY GOTTLIEB; COMPUTERSHARE; ESOP; MORGAN STANLEY AT WORK; VIALTO PARTNERS

    Google’s Global Equity Management (GEM) team successfully implemented Project Nutella, a large-scale process automation project that automated 26 core GEM operations using tools such as SQL and PLX. This initiative eliminated the manual touchpoints in key processes such as Grant Audit, International Equity Filings, and China SAFE processing, saving approximately 1,500 hours per year. The program also provided data dashboards to display and analyze equity plan data, enabling better planning and strategic decision-making on the equity plan.

    The biggest impact of Project Nutella is the time saved from various automations, which can now be devoted to other equity improvement initiatives that are more valuable to plan participants, stakeholders, and Google. Nutella vastly increases accuracy and reduces the likelihood of errors by having processes run without manual intervention and with numerous validations and quality control checks. The transformation from a worn-out team to an energized GEM focused on delivering the best possible value to plan participants is Nutella's most significant impact.

    The judges were impressed by the scale of this project and its ability to transform the team's productivity and well-being. The automation of 26 core GEM operations and the creation of data dashboards with validations and metrics to ensure accuracy and provide real-time data to relevant stakeholders was highly commendable. The time saved through automation and the positive impact on the GEM members' well-being and skill development were also notable. Overall, Project Nutella demonstrated significant innovation, operational excellence, and a clear commitment to enhancing stakeholder value, making it a deserving recipient of this award.

  • Rio Tinto

    Between 10,000 and 75,000 employees
    Australia
    Rio Tinto

    PROGRAM NAME: MYSHARE – A GLOBAL EMPLOYEE SHARE PURCHASE PLAN
    EMPLOYEES: 48,000
    COUNTRIES: 35+
    PARTNERS: COMPUTERSHARE; DELOITTE

    Rio Tinto's myShare program, a global all-employee share plan launched in 2013, has received an award for its innovative and personalized approach to employee engagement. The program enables employees to invest in the company, with bespoke data and personalized animations to explain the value of their investment in real-time. The animations are sent quarterly via email, ensuring all employees are engaged, regardless of their location or whether they are office-based.

    Communications specialists were engaged to create the advanced animations, while Rio Tinto’s employee share plan provider was responsible for rolling out the videos worldwide via mail-merged links accessible via PC or mobile.

    The solution marries creative techniques with share plan data, providing a cutting-edge approach to educating employees about their investments. Over 35,000 personalized videos are delivered to Rio Tinto's employees globally every quarter. The program has received exceptionally positive feedback, with employees finding it an appealing and exciting way to be regularly educated about their share plan.

    The judges were impressed with the program's success in achieving its objectives, which included supporting employee learning styles, improving understanding of investments, and reaching a global workforce. The panel considered the personalized animations to be outstanding and thought they made the experience very special.

MORE BEST USE OF TECHNOLOGY AWARD WINNERS

  • WALMART INC

    Over 75,0000 employees
    United States
    walmart

    PLAN NAME: THE WALMART REWARDS PLATFORM
    EMPLOYEES: 2.3 million
    COUNTRIES:26
    PARTNERS:FIDELITY; KPMG

  • CONFLUENT

    Under 5,000 employees
    United States
    confluent

    PLAN NAME: MYSTOCKMARKETPLACE
    EMPLOYEES: 1,500
    COUNTRIES:17
    PARTNERS:INFINITE EQUITY

  • THE HOME DEPOT

    Over 100,000 employees
    United States
    The Home

    PLAN NAME:THE HOME DEPOT EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
    EMPLOYEES: 400,000
    COUNTRIES:3
    PARTNERS:COMPUTERSHARE

  • ANGLO AMERICAN, KUMBA IRON ORE

    Between 5,000 and 25,000 employees
    South Africa
    Anglo American

    PLAN NAME: THE ANGLO AMERICAN ENGAGE APP
    EMPLOYEES: Unknown
    COUNTRIES: N/A
    PARTNERS: SHAREFORCE

PREVIOUS AWARD WINNERS

Read our GEO Awards winner booklets for insights and inspiration from industry leaders and organizations who are pushing the boundaries of innovation and achievement.