Case Study: Novell
An organisation-wide centralisation of cost structures was behind computer software company Novell's decision to implement an international benefits strategy.
Its policy aims to introduce a general framework for benefits provision rather than impose standard perks at country level. Ian Wright, director of compensation and benefits, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific, explains: "[It] is about understanding the costs out there and whether they are in line with our global strategy or not." The design of the strategy, which covers 4,000 employees across 30 countries, was introduced last year and so far most of the organisation's efforts have been focused on conducting a benefits audit in each country in order to establish how its perks compare with local market practice.
Wright says obtaining good information about benefits practice in different countries has been a considerable challenge.
"You have to work with a global benefits consultant that has local expertise, which means [that it must have] people on the ground, in the areas of the world you have offices in," he says.
