Dive Brief:
- Following a five-month layoff before the launch of the new Jeep Wrangler, employees at an Ohio Jeep plant were welcomed back to the job with two off-road courses to try out the new Wrangler they'll be producing, according to NBC affiliate WNWO-TV.
- Professional drivers took employees through an off-road course first to demonstrate its new features; employees were then allowed to test drive the Wrangler on a less challenging course on their own. The company installed dirt and gravel circuits inside its complex that feature pitched slopes, steep hills and uneven logs. Jeep says the test drives will provide employees with first-hand experience of the vehicle’s capabilities.
- The project was designed to boost employee pride and enthusiasm following the layoff and instill an understanding of the product they produce.
Dive Insight:
Most employers might not be able to install an off-road course in their parking lot to enhance employee engagement and learning, but the spirit of inclusion and ownership can be created in many ways.
Creating shared experiences among staffers can be particularly useful with a large number of employees that don't interact with each other on a day-to-day basis. Augusto Giacoman, director at Strategy&, part of the PwC network, recently discussed the value of shared experiences with HR Dive. “Shared experiences are important for anyone that wants to form a high-performing team, fast," he said.
For Jeep staffers, promoting that commonality has probably never been so exciting.
