Lenovo gives employees golden tickets to Olympics

Singapore – Lenovo employees are currently in the thick of the Olympics action as a reward for their efforts which led to the worldwide sponsorship of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and the Olympic torch relay.

Attributing the technology infrastructure sponsorship for the Olympics to its employees’ efforts, Lenovo has rewarded staff from around the world with tickets to the Olympics as part of its employee recognition programme. Jessie Lim, executive director of human resources for Lenovo Asia Pacific, says it is important to recognise the employees’ efforts as their contribution to the business led to the successful sponsorship. “At times like these, it’s important that the kudos are not reserved merely for a select few but that every single employee is recognised for their part in the success.”

Besides bringing employees over to Beijing to participate in the live action, involving them in the run up to the Olympics was also the technology products and services developer’s way of saying thank you. As part of the Olympic milestone celebration, Lenovo conducted a worldwide nomination process where employees voted for their co-workers who would participate in the Olympics torch relay. The torch bearer selection process also helped bonded its employees around the world as they come together as a team to support their nominees. Lim says the event allowed “the team as a whole to share in the excitement of their colleagues participating in the momentous event”.

Sharing the company’s achievement with the workforce further integrates corporate values in employees and builds a real sense of team culture. Lim illustrates, “Imagine the pride each employee felt as they watched the torch, which we designed, being carried across the world - even on TV.”

Other Olympic-themed employee events include a mini torch relay in Malaysia, sport-themed gatherings, photography competitions, trivia contests and office parties. Around 600 engineers and technicians, as well as some other support staff on site in Beijing have been given a ticket to two games each.