Dubai World saves Dhs452m with the Suggestion and Reward Scheme

The SRS was instituted with the mission of enhancing employee motivation by recognizing and rewarding useful suggestions which, when implemented would lead to the tangible improvements in the workplace and generate outstanding financial benefits. The SRS works closely with American non-profit organization, Employee Involvement Association (EIA), whose international membership and outreach has facilitated opportunities for administrators from all nations to benefit from the experience and techniques being harvested world-wide.

The success of SRS, which is supervised and run by the Business Excellence Center (BEC), a Corporate department of Dubai World, was highlighted during a 2 day-long workshop conducted by recognized corporate leader and motivational speaker Mr. Abdulqader Obaid Ali, who is the Director of Group Internal Audit and Business Excellence of Dubai World and also the company's Chairman of the Group Suggestion Reward Scheme.

The SRS workshop was initiated to motivate and encourage area representatives and SRS team members to enhance operational practices and increase efficiency. The workshop also provided a suitable platform for participating employees to brainstorm and discuss various aspects of the scheme.

Mr. Abdulqader Obaid Ali explained how employee feedback and constructive criticism would make the scheme even more successful. He urged greater participation from all business units and welcomed ideas to improve the efficacy of SRS operational structures.

Mr. Abdulqader Obaid Ali added:

"The Group Suggestion and Reward Scheme has grown considerably over the years. Today, the scheme has become truly participatory and we welcome suggestions from all employees within our group. A company can only be as good as its people. People are the most vital assets of a company. Management should cultivate a corporate culture in the organization that gives employees an opportunity to express themselves creatively in order to help the organisation improve from within."

"The SRS helps us achieve this and I hope that through this workshop we can work together to determine ways and means to improve quality standards within the scheme that result in greater efficiency and more employee participation," he added.

SRS was initially implemented within the Ports, Customs and Freezone Corporation, (PCFC) before being extended to other business units when Dubai World was formed.

SRS, instituted in 2003, when implemented would lead to the improvement of Performance, Customer Service, Quality, Environmental Friendliness and Employee Welfare, besides resulting in savings or increased revenues.