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For him, getting the basics right does not mean thinking small. Rather, it provides the foundation on which more ambitious attraction, retention, and employee experience strategies can be built.
In an HR landscape increasingly shaped by new technologies, evolving employee expectations and sophisticated people strategies, John Calica (pictured above) believes there is value in returning to the fundamentals.
For the Vice President for People Experience at Globe Telecom, being “brilliant at the basics” means making sure employees receive the essential services they need, understand the organisation's strategy, and have clarity on what is expected of them and how they can succeed.
Calica brings more than two decades of experience across talent, culture, organisation development, employee engagement and HR business partnering.
Throughout his career, he has explored a question that continues to shape his work: how can organisations bring out the best in their people while helping the business thrive?
For Calica, getting the basics right does not mean thinking small. Rather, it provides the foundation on which more ambitious attraction, retention and employee experience strategies can be built.
In conversation with Mary Ann Budunkin, he talks about why HR needs to be “brilliant at the basics”, how clarity can strengthen employee engagement, and why HR professionals should understand the business, do the hard things and still have some fun along the way.
Q What does a great day at work look like for you, and how does it remind you why you love HR?
Fairly recently, we celebrated G Day. It's a day dedicated to giving back to our customers, our partners, the community and of course, our Ka-Globe.
Throughout the day and across all activities, I saw the impact HR could have on the employee experience and how the organisation lives out its purpose, and that gave me a deep sense of joy.
Q What's one strategy you've found most effective in keeping employees engaged and committed?
Being brilliant at the basics is one. This was our mantra in my previous company and it has stuck with me to this day. It means ensuring we provide the basic services that matter to our employees. You can have a very sophisticated attraction and retention strategy but if you don't cover the basics, your whole strategy house will crumble.
Providing clarity on the strategy and how people can succeed is another important lever.
"Nothing demotivates employees more than an unclear set of expectations and standards."
Q In three words, how would you describe your leadership philosophy?
Serve. Deliver. Transform.
Q Could you tell us one thing about you that people might be surprised to know?
That I have appeared as an extra in two indie films.
Q As a speaker at #TransformTalentPH, what is the #1 call to action you hope for attendees to take away from your session?
HR work has evolved significantly, and the impact it can create on employees and the business is endless, as long as you are willing to put in the work: understand the business, do the hard things, all while ensuring you have fun on the side. Take your work seriously, but yourself, not at all.
I want to attend the conference: If you're keen to attend this closed-door conference, kindly register your interest here. For speaking opportunities, please write in to Mary Ann Bundukin. We look forward to welcoming you!
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