Diagnostic

Real case · Grupo KASA

Luxury retailBogotá, Colombia2023

Grupo KASA, a luxury retail group, gave Stephanie a blank-page challenge: build the Wellbeing and Development Office from scratch and align it across every company in the group. This is the story, told with the method that now carries the ULU name.

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01 · The challenge

No role looked after employee wellbeing and development. The challenge was to create it and give it group-wide reach: the same foundations for people in every company.

“I took on a big challenge: creating a role that didn't exist.”

Stephanie Guerrero Alemán

Wellbeing andDevelopment Office

CompanyCompanyCompanyCompanyCompanyCompany

02 · Understand

01 People Data

247 of 377 answered.

A culture survey across five dimensions: person, leadership, company, wellbeing and development. 66% of the group took part.

0answered · 377 invited

03 · Lift

People doubted anything would change, given the traditional ways of working. The strategy was to ship quick, high-impact actions to earn trust while the long-term work got built.

L·01

Culture

What the diagnostic showed

People didn't hear what was happening across the group, like store openings, new brands and wins, and the company's identity wasn't clear.

What got built

  • A biweekly bulletin on business, wellbeing, development and open roles
  • The “Qué Oso” video campaign, a reminder of who we are and who we're not
  • A showcase for employees' own businesses
Biweekly bulletinVol. 07
Business
Wellbeing
Development
Open roles
Qué Oso
✓ Who we are✕ Who we're not

L·02

Leadership

What the diagnostic showed

Leaders asked for feedback techniques, how to set and assess goals, recognition tools and training for their teams.

What got built

  • The leaders' meeting
  • The Leader's Guide
  • A guide to effective conversations and feedback tips
  • Management Day at EUDE: a workshop on family businesses and purpose
Talent managementThe Leader's GuideWellbeing and Development
01100% scholarship02100% scholarship03100% scholarship04100% scholarship05100% scholarship
0full scholarships in international leadership programs
0e-learning licenses

L·03

Development

What the diagnostic showed

Education support and course licenses ranked among the top asks, chosen by 83% and 77% of respondents.

What got built

  • Agreements with 4 universities, a fine jewelry school and its partner in Spain, 2 language academies and 2 international business schools
  • International experts on productivity, time management, innovation and creativity
  • A time management workshop with Pareto, Pomodoro and Kanban
  • Free SENA courses in customer service and English
01University02University03University04University05Fine jewelry06Partner in Spain07Languages08Languages09Business10Business

0 development agreements

L·04

Wellbeing

What the diagnostic showed

Wellbeing focus was the lowest-scoring dimension at 49%, and Flex Time was the most requested benefit after bonuses.

What got built

  • SmartFit, with its free workout app
  • Dental and pediatric dental care for employees and families
  • Discounted dermatology and eyewear
  • A Flex Friday pilot: the afternoon of the last Friday of the month
Wellbeing agreementEmployee and family
GymDentalDermatologyEyewear
MTWTFFlex Friday

Built with

2023, in milestones

Apr 20

The first 2 leadership scholarships begin

CESA, 9 four-hour classes, with a commitment to share and apply what they learn.

Jun 27

Time management workshop

With an EUDE Business School lecturer, an expert in leadership and management.

Jul 10

Bulletin Vol. 07: agreements

Development and wellbeing, for employees and their families.

Jul 27

2 more leadership scholarships

A new cohort with 9 live sessions, running to November.

04 · Unfold

They asked. It got done.

  1. 01Bonuses and incentives95%
  2. 02Flex Time88%Done Flex Friday pilot
  3. 03Education support83%Done 5 full scholarships and university agreements
  4. 04Healthy snacks and lunch82%
  5. 05Agreements and discounts80%Done 14 agreements for employees and families
  6. 06Course licenses77%Done 10 e-learning licenses and SENA courses
  7. 07Social volunteering66%
  8. 08Hybrid work46%

Multiple choice. % of the 247 people who answered.

Four of the six most requested benefits got a concrete answer.

0Development and wellbeing agreements signed
0Full scholarships in international leadership programs
0E-learning platform licenses
0Partner universities

What that meant for one person

80%

off English for adults, with plans for their kids too.

20%

of tuition to start a master's: a 50% scholarship plus a 30% interest-free loan.

1 year

of validity for each agreement, so people kept using it.

Little by little, more employees joined the initiatives, used them and benefited from them.

So far, my experience in the program has been enriching and has completely exceeded my expectations. Exchanging ideas with classmates from different parts of the world has been inspiring.

Store DirectorScholarship holder, International Leadership and Management Program

05 · The legacy

When she left, Stephanie handed over a working office, agreements signed for a year and a message for every employee:

“Always keep in mind the mark you want to leave.”

Stephanie Guerrero Alemán

Your turn

Every story like this starts the same way: by understanding your people. Take the ULU diagnostic or book a conversation with Stephanie.

LinkedIn20+ years of experienceStephanie Guerrero AlemánFounder & CEOMeet Stephanie on LinkedIn