The Secret to Mars Corporation's Success (And it's Not Chocolate)
Company Investments in Corporate Learning Improve Business Performance
Case Study by Corporate University Xchange
A global company with strong, identifiable values is hard to find these days. As companies grow and expand across borders and oceans, corporate culture often becomes diluted and inconsistent, with different ideals and philosophies emphasized at each location.
But this is not the case at Mars Incorporated, home of some of the world’s leading snack food and pet care brands, from Snickers® and M&M’s® to Uncle Ben’s® Rice and Whiskas®. Started in a home kitchen in Tacoma, Washington, in 1911, Mars has quickly grown into a US $21 billion company with more than 40,000 employees. How did this privately held, family-owned business achieve such stellar results while maintaining its core values? Through a commitment to employee learning and development.
At Mars, all employees are called associates and are viewed as the company’s most valuable assets. Led by Mars family members for decades, the company had a clear focus on its principles and people. Yet as Mars senior family members retired and management changed hands, executives feared that this culture and focus would disappear. In addition, continued decentralization and globalization of the company highlighted the dire need for improved, formalized training.
To harness its culture, continue company growth and aid associates assuming new managerial roles after family leaders retired , Mars turned to business learning and development leader Corporate University Xchange (CorpU). A membership-based organization with extensive research and benchmarking studies on human capital development, CorpU has helped Mars institute an effective corporate university and participate in a global network of business learning leaders, fostering the company’s continued success and leadership position.
Increases in productivity and enhanced employee engagement have been traced to Mars University and the company-wide dedication to learning. In just one example, cost savings of over $300 million were realized as a direct result of a curriculum teaching lean thinking. By investing in the development of its people, Mars has achieved tangible business results that are likely to continue into the long-term future.
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