HR Case Study - Tokyo Electron
Situation
Tokyo Electron Limited (TEL) are a leading global supplier of semiconductor production equipment. Their network comprises 90 locations across 12 countries in Asia, the United States and Europe. The UK branch of the company has a workforce of around 80 people. Shaney Fowler is a Human Resources Specialist at TEL and has worked there for the past 2 years.
People Vision has established a continually expanding portfolio of around 140 specialist consultants who design and deliver training across a range of Human Resources skills. Keith Corbin has 20 years of Human Resources, project management and internal/external consulting experience. His book and CD-ROM ‘The Career Transition Pocket Book’ is widely used and respected in the field. |
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Challenge
TEL engaged People Vision to manage voluntary and compulsory redundancies within the UK branch of the company. The 8 people facing redundancy ranged from service engineers who worked on client project sites around the world, to the HR Manager, HR Training Manager and the receptionist.
Keith Corbin was to establish a base in the Tokyo Electron branch at Crawley for 3-4 weeks. The employees from throughout the UK could meet him here for 1:2:1’s, gain advice on their situation and CVs, and guidance on approaching redundancy, retirement or securing new employment.
Action
- Keith established himself in an office with a variety of audio-visual equipment and resources, and was based there for 1 or 2 days each week. He arranged meetings with each of the 8 people concerned, some of whom flew from Scotland.
- Keith ensured that he dedicated at least two hours to each employee, working one-on-one to find out how they felt about being made redundant and what they wanted from their future career path. He highlighted their skills and explored possible avenues of employment. ‘Keith is brilliant at pointing out people’s transferable skills and giving other options.’ (Shaney Fowler)
- Keith made sure that each person understood the job market and showed them how to use resources such as Monster.com to make the most of their CVs and reach a wide range of potential employers. ‘People felt in safe hands,’ said Shaney. ‘His suggestions and approaches were realistic but very positive.’
- Keith gave each person a copy of his book and CD-ROM, and used the office resources to work through their features. He covered topics including CVs and application letters, website resources, networking, interview questions, personal presentation and telephone interview techniques. ‘Keith’s book and CD were really useful. His interview preparation made me think about my experience and training, and he really went into detail.’ (Shaney Fowler)
- Shaney wanted to ensure that the receptionist facing redundancy was given enough time and attention. She had been at TEL for 15 years in a diverse organisational role. Keith took Shaney’s concerns on board and spent time with the receptionist to analyse her skills and future job. He gave her feedback on her CV and helped her to update it, and to promote her varied skills base.
- The Training Manager wanted to take voluntary redundancy. A talented engineer in his 60’s with lecturing experience, he wanted to take a sabbatical abroad before finding a lecturing post at a UK college. Keith helped him to transform his CV ‘back to a functional CV which explained all his lecturing experience in detail’ (Keith Corbin), and used his own networking contacts to initiate his job search.
Results
- Keith’s availability on-site was of great benefit and he integrated well with the existing TEL team while remaining independent. ‘Keith coming to the site worked really well’ said Shaney Fowler. ‘The thing I love about Keith is that he’s totally self-sufficient, we never had to worry about him.’
- The receptionist was very pleased with Keith’s advice and alterations to her CV. Before Keith left TEL she had attended two interviews and was offered the second job she applied for, which gave her the hours she wanted as well as an increase in salary. ‘She was an instant success’ said Keith.
- On leaving the project Keith felt ‘sure that all of them will find jobs easily’, with one person already having secured a new job and another being re-employed by TEL on a consultancy basis. Each person had gained knowledge and hands-on experience of the modern job market, using internet resources, self-promotion and interview practice.
- The 8 employees were given new options and the time to work out future avenues of employment. ‘Keith was really supportive, even when people had decided to take early redundancies he gave them options other than retirement, such as giving consultations. The feedback from everyone has been really, really good.’ (Shaney Fowler)
- The 8 employees gained the confidence to set and achieve their goals. Shaney felt ‘able to be confident enough to go for the right interviews and not to jump in too quickly. Keith’s advice really stayed with me.’
Client Testimonial
‘What attracted me about People Vision was their individual approach. They really worked with our business culture; it’s a Japanese company and so people are very important. People Vision met all those expectations. We would definitely use them again.’
‘Keith was very keyed in to people on a personal level. He went beyond our expectations. Keith helped sweeten the bad taste of redundancy.’
Shaney Fowler: Human Resources Specialist, Tokyo Electron Ltd
