“Make no small plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood”

“Make no small plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood”

Last week, I had the opportunity to hear Randy Lewis, a Walgreens Vice president speak on “Talent Management.”  Walgreens has made big plans and executed them.

 It’s Simply Good Business

In 2007, Walgreens opened its 14th distribution center in Anderson, S.C. The DC, built to support the company’s expansion throughout the Southeast, was the first facility of its kind to employ a significant number of people with disabilities. More than 40 percent of the facility’s workforce has a physical or cognitive disability such as autism or mental retardation. The total investment for this DC is more than $175 million.

Walgreens newest DC opened in Windsor, Conn. in 2009 with the same design and workforce inclusion elements in mind. Similar to Anderson, employees with disabilities have been trained to work side-by-side with other team members – with the same productivity goals, earning the same pay. Here, an on-site training facility helps those with special needs become prepared for employment so everyone can work productively and effectively.

“We’ve worked technology and creativity into every inch of this place, but it’s the people here who will amaze you,” said Walgreens senior vice president of supply chain and logistics Randy Lewis.

It’s the company’s goal to fill 10 percent of its distribution center production jobs with people with disabilities. Walgreens is more than halfway there.

Here are some Facts:

• People with disabilities constitute the nation’s largest minority group, and the only group any of us can become a member of at any time.
• Between 1990 and 2000, the number of Americans with disabilities increased 25 percent, outpacing any other subgroup of the U.S. population.
• People with disabilities represent the single largest minority group seeking employment in today’s marketplace.
• Of the 69.6 million families in the United States, more than 20 million have at least one family member with a disability.
• According to the U.S. Department of Education, workers with disabilities are rated consistently as average or above average in performance, quality and quantity of work, flexibility, and attendance.
• Over 65 percent of working-age adults with disabilities are unemployed.

Walgreens, Meijer and other firms have made big plans. “Come on down we’ll give you a Big Check…if you earn it!!”  The rules are simple “full time employees, side by side, equal standards equal pay.” That’s a big plan.

Mr. Lewis shared the story of Philoctetes, a Greek Prince with a disability in Homers Iliad. Sean Haney writes in his book, the CURE of TROY.

“History tells us not to hope on this side of the grave, but then once in a lifetime, a longed for tidal wave of justice can rise up and hope and history rhyme.  So hope for a great sea change and believe that a further shore is reachable from here.  and cures Believe in miracles and healing wells.”

Talent Management requires big plans and leaders.  Think about hope and employing talented, talented people.

Listen to Mr. Lewis