Back To The Floor

We recently introduced our colleagues in OIL! to an initiative called Back To The Floor, that we first introduced to our Harvest Energy teams in the UK.  With the launch of Back To The Floor proving a great success, we explain exactly what the initiative entails, and why it is so fundamental to effective operations….

Aimed at both new and existing OIL! colleagues, the recent Back To The Floor initiative launched in our European business has seen great success, reinforcing the importance of fostering a strong connection between our head office operations and our service stations. This initiative is particularly crucial for new colleagues, as it allows them to spend time in the field with salespeople and at service stations, gaining a deep, firsthand understanding of the company’s core operations. By immersing themselves in the day-to-day activities of frontline employees, new personnel can bridge the gap between corporate decision-making and the realities of operational execution. This experience equips them with a practical perspective, enabling more informed, relevant, and customer-focused strategies that align with the company’s objectives.

Moreover, Back To The Floor plays a vital role in enhancing communication and collaboration across all levels of the organisation. When head office staff witness the challenges and opportunities encountered by field employees, they develop a greater sense of empathy, leading to the creation of supportive policies that boost efficiency and morale. This shared experience cultivates a unified company culture, where employees across the board — whether in the office or on the frontline — are aligned in their understanding of business goals and values, ultimately driving the company towards greater success.

Another key aspect of the initiative involves existing employees spending a full two days per year at service stations, engaging directly with our partners and end customers. Most recently, our Managing Director in Austria, Hermann Rauch, who has over 25 years of experience in the business, spent a couple of days at one of his stations. Hermann got truly involved on site, and his feedback was overwhelmingly positive.  The same positive feedback was reported by our partner and staff on site, marking the visit as a great success.

By spending time on the sales floor, managers like Hermann gain a firsthand understanding of the challenges and opportunities that frontline employees face. This exposure helps them make more informed decisions that are grounded in the realities of daily operations. Regular interaction between managers and employees also enhances communication, allowing managers to effectively relay company goals and expectations, while providing employees with an opportunity to give direct feedback or voice concerns in real-time. When managers work alongside their teams, they demonstrate commitment and a strong work ethic, which in turn can inspire employees and foster a culture of excellence and accountability throughout the organisation.

Over the Christmas period and through to Easter, more of our colleagues will be spending time out of the office and on the frontline. We have great hopes that this will pay dividends in aligning everyone across the organisation, and that we continue to foster a unified, customer-centric culture across all levels of the business.  Hopefully the colleagues that follow in Hermann’s footsteps have a taste of some of that Austrian sunshine that is so lacking at the moment in the rest of Europe!