Client Case Study: Sonepar

Sonepar Canada is a leading national electrical distributor, providing a wide range of high-quality electrical products and related solutions to customers across the country. As a member of the Sonepar Group, a global leader in B-to-B distribution of electrical products, solutions, and related services, Sonepar Canada is known for its strong commitment to customer service and a robust product inventory catering to diverse market sectors. The company operates through a network of well-known brands and is dedicated to powering the success of customers in the electrical industry by driving digital transformation and promoting sustainable practices.

Sonepar embarked on a mission to implement a recognition program for Gescan, a division of Sonepar. The goal of this initiative was to commemorate significant work anniversaries. Managers were equipped with the capability to send eCards to their employees as a token of appreciation for their dedicated service upon reaching significant milestones of 5, 10, and 15 years with the company.

Portal Facts

Type: Enterprise (English)
Purpose:
Recognition

Number of Users: 570+
Number of Admins:
2

eCards Delivered: 4,000+
View Rate: 89%

Design Examples

employee appreciation ecards
employee appreciation ecards
employee appreciation ecards

Challenge

The challenges for this project included the following key points:

1. Data Management: The first significant challenge was managing and securely storing sensitive employee data. Given that managers would be uploading spreadsheets containing events dates and personal information, it was crucial to have a secure and efficient data handling system in place.

2. Schedule Automation: Another challenge was automating the scheduling process for the work anniversary cards. The system needed to effectively read the uploaded spreadsheet, identify the events dates, and schedule the eCards accordingly. It required precision to ensure that each eCard was sent out on the correct date.

3. Customization: The eCards needed to be customizable to add a personal touch for the employees. The challenge was to design a system that was user-friendly and allowed managers to easily customize the eCards while maintaining brand consistency.

Overcoming these challenges was crucial to the success of the recognition program for Gescan.

Solution

Zone1 identified the need for an interactive process in finalizing the eCards. As a solution, Zone1 proposed and developed the “Save and Share” feature. This feature empowered the managers to save a draft of the eCard and share it with other users for their feedback before finalizing it for delivery to the recipient. This collaborative approach ensured a comprehensive review and collective agreement on the content of the eCard, thereby improving its quality and relevance.

1. Secure Data Management: Zone1 designed a secure data management system which would safely store and manage the employee information provided by the managers through the uploaded spreadsheets.

2. Schedule Automation: An automated scheduling system was developed which could read the event dates from the spreadsheets and schedule the delivery of the eCards accordingly. This ensured that each employee received their work anniversary eCard exactly on their celebration date.

3. Customizable eCards: Zone1 provided a user-friendly interface for the managers to customize the eCards. A generic work anniversary eCard template was created that could be adjusted to indicate the specific milestone year (5, 10, or 15). This allowed for a personalized touch while maintaining brand consistency.

4. Scalable Platform: Zone1’s eCard platform was designed to be scalable, ensuring consistent performance and reliability, regardless of the number of eCards being sent out or the amount of data being managed.

5. Training: Zone1 provided comprehensive training to the managers on how to use the platform effectively. This included guidance on how to upload spreadsheets, customize eCards, and schedule their delivery.

This solution not only addressed the challenges of the project but also ensured a successful implementation of the recognition program, allowing Gescan to effectively celebrate their employees’ work anniversaries.

Process

For the successful execution of the recognition program for Gescan, Zone1 followed a streamlined process, incorporating the special requirements of the project, such as the “Save and Share” feature. Here is the step-by-step process:

1. Kick-off Meeting: A meeting was conducted with the Sonepar management and Gescan managers to understand their specific needs for the recognition program.

2. Requirements Gathering: The requirements for the “Save and Share” feature and other aspects of the project were thoroughly documented. This included the need for a generic eCard, scheduling capabilities, customization options, and secure data management.

3. Design & Development: Zone1’s design and development team crafted a user-friendly platform that allowed managers to easily customize and schedule eCards. A generic work anniversary eCard was designed, which could indicate specific milestone years (5, 10, or 15).

4. Custom Programming: The “Save and Share” feature was custom-built into the platform. This feature enabled managers to save a draft of the eCard and share it with other users for their input before finalizing it for delivery.

5. Security Measures: Measures were put in place to securely handle and store the sensitive employee data provided by the managers through the uploaded spreadsheets.

6. Testing: Rigorous testing was conducted to ensure the platform was functioning correctly and efficiently. This included testing the “Save and Share” feature, the eCard scheduling system, and the data handling processes.

7. Training: Comprehensive training was provided to the managers on how to use the platform. This included how to upload spreadsheets, customize eCards, use the “Save and Share” feature, and schedule eCard delivery.

8. Launch: After thorough testing and successful training, the platform was launched. The managers were now able to send out customized work anniversary eCards to their employees on their celebration dates.

This process ensured the successful delivery of the project, enabling Gescan to celebrate their employees’ significant work milestones in a meaningful and personalized way.

Results

The implementation of the recognition program for Gescan by Zone1 culminated in a notable success. The primary objective of ensuring timely recognition of the employees was achieved seamlessly. The automated scheduling feature guaranteed that each employee received their eCard precisely on their work anniversary, creating a personalized moment of recognition that resonated with the employees. This also communicated the company’s value for their service and dedication, thus contributing to improved employee morale and satisfaction.

The introduction of the “Save and Share” feature also yielded significant benefits. It paved the way for greater collaboration among managers and other users, fostering a communal spirit within the organization. The ability to share drafts for inputs before finalizing allowed for the production of eCards that were more meaningful and relevant. This not only ensured high-quality eCards but also stimulated engagement, facilitating a more connected and cohesive work environment.

Feedback from the managers further affirmed the project’s success. They appreciated the user-friendly interface of the platform and the versatility of features like customization and “Save and Share”. The increase in usage and the overall satisfaction with the tool highlighted the successful integration of the platform into the company’s recognition program.

In terms of data security, the project scored high. The stringent measures put in place to secure the sensitive employee data instilled confidence in the managers. They were comfortable uploading the necessary information, ensuring the smooth and efficient running of the recognition program.

Finally, the scalability of the platform demonstrated its reliability and long-term sustainability. As more employees reached their work milestones, the platform maintained its performance, handling the increase with ease. This proved its viability as a long-term solution for the recognition program, a critical aspect considering the program’s continuous nature.

In sum, the recognition program not only enabled Gescan to celebrate their employees’ work anniversaries effectively, but it also cultivated a more collaborative and engaging work environment. The successful results attest to the fact that the program significantly contributed to heightened employee satisfaction and retention, solidifying the company’s position as a desirable workplace.