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UBM plc: Taking the pulse of the business and engaging employees with a far-reaching strategic transformation
Technology Category
- Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Exchange & Integration
Applicable Industries
- Professional Service
Applicable Functions
- Human Resources
Services
- Data Science Services
The Challenge
UBM, a leading global events business, was undergoing a significant strategic transformation named 'Events First'. As part of this transformation, the company was preparing to complete the largest acquisition in its history - Advanstar, a US-based events and marketing services business valued at more than USD970m. The company faced the risk of human capital flight if it was unable to effectively engage top talent with the new strategic direction. UBM needed to make significant structural, process and systems changes, uniting its previously autonomous regional businesses. The challenge was to ensure all of its employees were engaged and aligned with the new future vision.
About The Customer
UBM plc, headquartered in London, England, is one of the world’s leading B2B events organizers. The company employs more than 5,000 people and operates in more than 20 countries around the world. UBM helps professionals succeed by enabling them to connect with each other and with the markets they serve. The company was undergoing a long-term strategic transformation named 'Events First', which included the acquisition of Advanstar, a US-based events and marketing services business valued at more than USD970m.
The Solution
UBM used IBM Kenexa Survey Enterprise to measure engagement and gain insights into employees’ views on its new strategy and the way the company is currently operating. The company designed a comprehensive communications plan to help its people understand the importance of the survey, and how to complete it. Working closely with IBM, UBM successfully completed its largest ever engagement survey across its global business. This enabled the company to gain deep insights into employee perceptions as it moved forward with its strategic transformation. Using the results of the survey, UBM’s executive committee decided that its two key priorities for the year ahead should be customer focus and systems, tools, processes.
Operational Impact
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