A company that helps every employee grow

Publication: Paris Notre-Dame·Issue: N° 1706·Page: VII·Journalist: Isabelle Demangeat

In 2017, Pierre Guillet received the Christian Social Thought Award from the Fondation des Entrepreneurs et dirigeants chrétiens (EDC). Why was he recognised? A report from the company he leads in Achères (Yvelines).

He makes one thing clear from the outset: none of his twenty-five employees lives more than thirty minutes from the company. « I don't want their professional lives to encroach on their personal lives », explains Pierre Guillet, founder and director of Hesion, a company based in Achères (Yvelines) that specialises in designing and deploying digital solutions to optimise car park management.

A telling detail: as we walk through the bright, airy, thoughtfully designed premises with their start-up feel – glass partitions, raw wood chairs and desks, a fitted kitchen… – we learn that the head of administration is working from home and another employee does not work on Wednesdays. Others have been unable to brave the snow-covered roads of Yvelines this Wednesday, 7 February.

No matter: Aurélien Luzet, head of research and development, is here. Wrapped in a warm jumper, this thirty-something with medium-length hair leads a team of four developers. His verdict after a year and a half in the role: « I have free rein. » Of course, he puts his ideas to his director, but the latter listens and values his work and expertise. One example of this constructive collaboration: Aurélien has been able to reorganise his department using « agile methods » (project delivery practices).

Every month, Pierre Guillet also gives him and his team « a day off ». The idea is simple: at their desks, they switch off their phones and disconnect from email to focus on technology research. « The idea is to encourage creativity », explains Pierre Guillet, adding that innovation is one of the company values selected with his steering committee. Made up of several employees, this committee meets once a month to help make decisions about the company.

Sofiane Djobeir, a 32-year-old technical sales representative, is not a member (yet!). That is hardly surprising: he joined Hesion barely six months ago. It is a short time. But at Hesion, it is already enough to be entrusted with responsibility for a brand.

« In my view, a company should enable every employee to give their best so they can find fulfilment in their work, says the winner of the 2017 Christian Social Thought Award from Entrepreneurs et dirigeants chrétiens (EDC), who reveals that he invokes the Holy Spirit before making decisions. I deeply believe that the Lord has a plan for every person. »