Maximizing Productivity: The Evolution of Sodexo's Time to Focus Days of Organization

In today's fast-paced corporate world, finding time to focus on essential tasks can often feel like a luxury. Distractions abound, and the pressure to juggle multiple responsibilities simultaneously can lead to decreased productivity and increased stress levels among employees. Recognizing this challenge, Sodexo took proactive steps to address it through the implementation of Time to Focus Days of Organization.

The journey towards establishing these dedicated focus days began in 2018 when I had an idea to create a day of organization to give managers uninterrupted time and space to get things done. My idea stemmed from a pressing need for change, identified through various assessments, including the Employee Engagement Survey and the District and General Manager Time Study led by Bill Yaglou and Jim Kissinger. It became evident that to drive business growth and enhance employee well-being, a shift in behavior and policies was imperative.

The initiative officially launched during the Sodexo Senior Leadership Conference in October 2018, with the aim of providing managers and support staff with designated time and space to concentrate on their clients, customers, employees, and personal development. Senior Leaders signed a giant clock onstage to show active and visible sponsorship of the initiative.

The overarching goal was clear: to offer employees uninterrupted time to prioritize actions for their clients and teams, thereby fostering career advancement and reducing burnout. To achieve this, several key actions were taken:

·       Creation of a Dedicated Day:  a company-wide designated day was established, allowing employees to work on tasks related to organizational priorities without interruptions.

·       Enhanced Productivity: By providing employees with time to complete task lists and focus on important projects, productivity levels were significantly boosted.

·       Increased Engagement: The implementation of Time to Focus Days led to a notable increase in employee engagement, as evidenced by survey feedback indicating a 94% satisfaction rate among participants.

What began as a single day of organization for managers and support staff in 2018 has since expanded to 12 designated days by 2024. This progressive expansion underscores the effectiveness and value of the initiative in empowering employees to manage their time more effectively and achieve their professional goals. As part of this expansion, these dedicated days were aligned to our Focus 24, together We Achieve More Regional Priorities. Each day highlights a specific focus around our key pillars of Empower Employees, Operational Excellence, Profitable Growth and our commitments of Safety, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Ethical Business Conduct.

Feedback from employees further reinforces the positive impact of Time to Focus Days:

"I feel empowered to spend uninterrupted time with my clients."

"I look forward to that particular Monday knowing that I will be able to focus on my development."

"I have noticed a difference in my workweek following the Days of Organization."

This cultural shift towards prioritizing focused work time did not happen overnight. It was the result of collaborative efforts from various stakeholders within Sodexo, including executive sponsors, leaders, project managers, and the Voice of the Field advisory board.

Acknowledgments are due to individuals like Brett Ladd, Ronald Guillory, MBA, MEd, William Yaglou, Jim Kissinger, Beth Foley, Susan Engel, Laura Karpf , Shavanna Jagrup, Amy Johnson and all members of the Voice of the Field for their unwavering support and leadership in driving this initiative forward.

As we reflect on the journey so far, it is evident that Time to Focus Days of Organization have become an integral part of Sodexo's commitment to fostering a culture of productivity, engagement, and employee well-being. Currently, work is underway to improve awareness and participation of benefits to all employees. Moving forward, the continued expansion and refinement of Time to Focus will give an opportunity to have dedicated time for critical initiatives like this. Undoubtedly Time to Focus will contribute to even greater success for the organization and its employees alike in the future.