Pursuing Excellence: Abandoning Face Time and Hours for a Result Focus
Ryan employees can work anywhere, anytime, as long as they achieve results. Jaws dropped and heads turned when, in 2008, at the start of the recession, Ryan did a virtual 180 and abandoned the traditional approach it had taken to managing employees for almost 20 years. Employees who were accustomed to rigid office hours and little flexibility weren’t sure how to respond when they suddenly found themselves working in an environment that allowed them complete flexibility. Ryan was determined to find a way to continue to get the results that had made them successful, but to tweak the way they got there, empowering employees to have control over both their personal and professional lives. Five years into the journey, Ryan’s revenue, client satisfaction, employee engagement, and retention metrics are better than ever. This case study spotlights program design, lessons learned, tools used, and metrics achieved — proof positive that show the quantifiable impact of a different form of workplace flexibility on ROI.
The When Work Works Sessions at the SHRM Annual conference explore ways to #ReinventWork and create effective workplaces. Visit WhenWorkWorks.org, a partnership between Families and Work Institute and SHRM, for more information.
Delta Emerson
Delta has responsibility for corporate excellence; organizational development and culture initiatives; and researching, prioritizing, and monitoring matters of importance to the Chairman and CEO. She also serves as Executive Director and Vice Chair of the Ryan Foundation, a 501(c)(3), overseeing corporate philanthropy and community outreach initiatives.
With more than 25 years of human resources, training, and organizational development leadership experience in professional services, information technology, and financial services companies, Delta has played key roles in both start-up and Fortune 1000 entities. Prior to assuming her current role, Delta held progressively responsible executive management positions at Ryan, establishing and overseeing global Human Resources and Learning and Organizational Development functions. She created and implemented a strategy for external recognition and branding, resulting in more than 70 international, national, state, and local awards and certifications in "Best Employer," client service, training, and other competitions. Delta facilitated the design and rollout of a major award-winning culture change initiative that moved Ryan from a traditional to a flexible “myRyan” working environment.
Delta is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Journalism from Angelo State University and a Master of Arts degree in Dispute Resolution from Southern Methodist University.
Visit Delta on Twitter @deltaemerson.