Five Principles Are Leading Mars' Business And Innovation

By Karla Paris

Mars is sticks with its roots to achieve business goals and build employee-employer relationships

Mars continues to emphasize its relationship between employees and management as this was a keystone for its business during its beginnings and continues today.  Recently, Mars has seen its business continue to grow while maintaining its place in Fortune’s Best Companies To Work For.

To date in 2014, Mars has been recognized in six markets around the world, including (with applicable ranking): Japan (#16 in Best Workplaces), the U.S. (#76 on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies To Work For List), Ireland (#2 for Medium Business Category), Belgium (#7 and winner of the special award for Inspiring Culture), Germany (#7 and Best Newcomer of the Year), and France (#2 in best places to work).

The new Chairman of Mars, Victoria Mars, noted while delivering the keynote address at the 2014 Great Place To Work Conference on April 3, that “The Five Principles are all about the ‘how’ versus the ‘what’ at Mars and they serve as a solid base upon which we build everything.  Mixed with a sense of entrepreneurial adventure that has permeated the business since the beginning, these principles create a workplace where our Associates can be proud and business can thrive.”

Mars’ Five Principles are: quality, responsibility, mutuality, efficiency, and freedom.  Mars stresses these principles as the foundation of its culture and its approach to business regardless of geography, language, cultural, or generational barriers. The key to the five principles is listening and engagement.  During the new Chairman’s career with the company, Mars has had a passion for associate engagement. In her talk, she outlined the role that she played in creating the company Ombudsman program.

The candy maker encourages an open culture, and the Ombudsman program provides every associate with an independent and confidential channel of communication.  It’s a way for them to be heard and have a dialogue about issues that matter to them while empowering them to find solutions.  These experiences and learnings have been instrumental in improving the business and making Mars a great workplace.