After receiving 11 «Great Place to Work» awards, the Human Talent Management manager at Progreso understands that companies who prioritize their employees achieve better results.

For Héctor Ortíz, the most successful companies understand that a key piece for the team and strategic leadership is «Human Talent Management». «It’s not just about finding the right people; we need to help them grow.»

«The award reaffirms the transcendent purpose of all of us who are fortunate enough to be part of Progreso: to build the country where we want to live.»

What does this new recognition, recently awarded to four Progreso companies by Great Place to Work, mean?

It’s a commitment. Being recognized 11 times as one of the best places to work at all levels makes us a benchmark, but also a place where dreams can become opportunities.

How important is human talent for Cementos Progreso?

Human Talent is of the utmost importance. From our leadership agenda, we value, applaud, and trust all our employees. We value the time they dedicate uniquely and efficiently to ensure that all our operations are exact and productive.

And how do you promote leadership within the company?

Our leadership agenda sets the path for fostering excellence in all our actions. Our transcendent purpose guides all our actions, and our code of ethics and values (Covec) determines the behaviors that all members of this family pursue.

Can you tell us about the axes of the leadership agenda?

Of course. The Leadership Agenda describes how to achieve exceptional results and is composed of seven axes: Covec, service, commitment to results, well-being, development, communication, and recognition. Likewise, within Covec, which guides the actions of each member of the organization, are the values: Ethical behavior, genuine leadership, solidarity, and commitment to the company’s sustainability.

Why is Covec so important within the organization?

It’s vital. Thanks to this code, any member of the organization is empowered to stop and report any act that jeopardizes the safety of our operations and recognize behaviors that shape the experience of our values.

It is evident that the leadership agenda and Covec are fundamental pillars for the company’s organizational culture.

Could you mention other aspects that make you one of the best employers in the region?

We seek to generate value with our actions, to serve, and to be different. Therefore, we are a high-performance organization that also uses assertive communication as a fundamental tool. In addition, we live a culture of recognition to consolidate all our practices. In the end, our main interest is to generate employee well-being and development at all levels. All our actions aim to turn our employees into ambassadors.

And how is this achieved? How do you turn an employee into an ambassador for the company?

We value every action that employees take to achieve our goals and objectives. We encourage growth, well-being, and happiness for all. In the end, we are a large family committed to our values. We multiply this mysticism within our work, and we all become Progreso ambassadors.

The global crisis caused the Covid-19 pandemic has tested all companies and their employees. How did you face the crisis and the new work challenges it brought?

First, we must recognize the incredible commitment of the more than 4,000 Progreso employees. Without that work mysticism, we would not have been able to achieve what we did during this unexpected labor transformation.

We established strict protocols for health safety, as well as social distancing in all our headquarters. They proved quite effective, and telecommuting has become a new normal, with 31% of our employees working in this modality. Discipline, commitment, trust, and ethics have been fundamental to facing this crisis.

Are these directives enough?

One of the important components of our leadership agenda is assertive communication. This way, we can constantly evaluate our mechanisms and improve them. Remember that at Progreso, we work with goals, which makes our job easier because we know where to go even if we must take different paths.

As an expert in human resources, how do you foresee the ‘new normal’ in the workplace?

We will experience significant changes due to the pandemic. Telecommuting is a fundamental element, and the interconnection between people must be efficient. Also, disinfection and cleaning protocols for people who must go to their workplace will be mandatory from now on, in addition to social distancing. In the end, individual commitment to taking care of oneself will be necessary to safeguard everyone’s health. Also, ensuring talent with the required competencies and behaviors, in this new normal, is a challenge for employee development.

Despite the crisis, Cementos Progreso and its companies managed to appear on the list of the best companies to work for in Latin America. How does that make you feel?

It’s an honor. Everyone’s level of response moves me, and I am very honored to contribute and create both spaces and tools to improve our work culture. This recognition belongs to all of us who are part of Progreso. As an organization, we are aware of the challenge to continue making our workplace the best place to work.