Jean-Lucien Lamy, FCI Chairman & CEO:
Sustainable development goes to the heart of our business
Can Sustainable Development be a priority for FCI, given all the challenges facing your Divisions in their markets? JEAN-LUCIEN LAMY: Many of our division’s challenges are in
fact directly related to SD. For example, customer satisfaction, total
quality management, technological innovation and financial performance
are all part of the SD philosophy. If we did not respect the basic
principles of SD in these critical areas,we would be acting irresponsibly;
it would mean that we are not protecting or investing in our future.
SD goes hand in hand with profitable, long-term business.
So what is new in this SD approach? J-L.L.: In some ways, there is nothing new, because FCI had
already adopted and applied the SD principles. Take customer satisfaction—one
of the ten pillars of SD: if we had not taken steps to anticipate
and meet customer needs already, they would all be walking away to
our competitors today.
What is new is that SD allows us to formalize the approach and introduce
indicators. This means better control. If you can measure and track
your progress indicators, you are able to improve your processes and
improve future performance in a disciplined way.
What are examples of SD indicators for FCI?
We have a duty to achieve and maintain high returns for our shareowners, our employees and all of our stakeholders.
Responsibility J-L.L.: One example is the score card system that our customers
use to check our performance on delivery, pricing and product quality.
We decided to use the same indicators as they did to better monitor
our own programs to improve customer satisfaction. On environmental
issues, we have been very active in securing ISO certification for
our sites.
In the social area, we monitor staff training, with more than 70%
last year having received training, in spite of economic difficulties.
Such initiatives contribute to giving FCI a sustainable business that
we can measure and manage better through key indicators.
Will your employees support Sustainable Development? J-L.L.: I am confident that if our employees understand clearly
what SD is and the benefits, they will fully support the group’s policies
and actions.
SD is not a matter of choice; it must be integrated into our day-to-day
working practices simply because it makes good business. It is a perfect
way for employees to improve FCI’s performance and future success.J-L.L.: I am confident that if our employees understand clearly
what SD is and the benefits, they will fully support the group’s policies
and actions.
SD is not a matter of choice; it must be integrated into our day-to-day
working practices simply because it makes good business. It is a perfect
way for employees to improve FCI’s performance and future success.
