Job Rotation Intercompany (P&G + Google)
In early 2008, P&G, an American multi-national consumer goods corporation, and the technology company Google started swapping talented employees to create a more creative and innovative workplace where employees can take part in the other company’s training programmes and establish mutually beneficial relationships. In the first year, 24 employees from the two companies participated in the partner’s curricula and business meetings, offering new methods, creative ideas and out-of-the-box thinking. As consumers are globally shifting to online channels, P&G’s primary goal is to improve their employees’ digital skills. This programme could provide the big consumer company with the knowledge and experience it needs to intensify its Internet marketing initiatives. For Google, on the other hand, the focus is on better understanding fast-moving consumer goods companies in general, becoming better business partners and reaping the potential benefits if P&G increases its internet marketing expenditures. Furthermore, according to the executives consulted, this initiative was a useful way to learn from each other as well as an innovative way of opening up the culture.