Economy Zlata nit (Golden Thread):
10 years of measuring work relationships By Matjaž Kljajic´
At this year’s tenth anniversary celebration of the best Slovenian employers, three categories were recognised. The members of the Selection Board were most convinced by Lotrič Meroslovje among the small businesses, Javno podjetje Komunala Brežice among the medium-sized companies and among the large companies, Krka from Novo mesto was selected for the fourth time in ten years. Zlata nit (Golden Thread) is one of the largest research studies in South Eastern Europe. Since 2007, 347 companies and 73,537 employees have participated in the study. "Zlata nit proves that Slovenia has good employers whose goal is to produce creative jobs and employ innovative and decent individuals who represent a company’s potential for growth," emphasised Dr Anja Kopač Mrak, Minister of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, at the closing ceremony of Dnevnik’s selection of the best employers of 2016.
Slovenia is the first country in the world to measure the quality of work relationships The Zlata nit questionnaire, comprising 45 statements, was developed in Slovenia and is a pioneering study focussing on the importance of relationship management for innovation development. Uniquely, it sets the employeeorganisation relationship at the centre of the study, measuring it in seven categories. Zlata nit closely links relationship quality with business performance. Based on the balanced scorecard (BSC) performance measurement, it observes marketing and financial indicators as well as indicators of innovation and human resource management. "Measuring the quality of the relationship between the company and its employees is an X-ray study of the company," said Anisa Faganelj, Head of Zlata nit, when summing up the findings of the companies which used the Zlata nit questionnaire for staff and organisational development. Analysis and credible statistics
usually confirm feelings and provide a more reliable basis for organisational adjustment. "In the contemporary environment, it is especially important that measurement supports the general perception of the organisation. More and more emphasis is placed on the agility and flexibility of organisations while experts on digitalisation emphasise that companies need organisational transformation rather than digital. Zlata nit is a tool that supports both digital and organisational transformation", using Zlata nit as a tool states Edita Krajnović, who is responsible for its methodology.
53% higher added value per employee
Awarded best employers in 2016 were: KRKA, d. d., Novo mesto, in the category of large companies, Javno podjetje Komunala Brežice, d. o. o., in the category of mediumsized businesses, and LOTRIČ Meroslovje, d. o. o., in the category of small businesses. The Best Practice Award was presented to Lek d.d. for its project "Vrnitev možganov v Slovenijo: Bio karierni zajtrk" (The Return of Brains to Slovenia: Bio Career Breakfast).
with greater profitability and increased added value per employee. Research by Dr Matevž Rašković from the Faculty of Economics at the University of Ljubljana, shows that companies with above-average results for passionately dedicated employees (effective commitment) achieve 53% greater added value per employee. Business success is also related to the charisma of managers. According to a survey by Profiles International and the Association of Managers, the managers in companies that systematically measure the quality of the company-employee relationship with the Zlata nit study, achieve a higher managerial charisma index. Among them, colleagues rate 12% as highly charismatic, compared to 9% among others.
Models developed on the basis of Zlata nit data reveal that high quality relationships correlate Photos: Maja Marko, Dnevnik
Summer Edition 2017 | The Slovenian Times
25