3M number one company in world for leaders, according to study by Hays

3M knocked General Electric from its 2007 top spot, clinching the first place title from a number of globally-respected companies including Coca Cola and Southwest Airlines.

The title consolidates what has been an overall good year for 3M in the Gulf region, which has enjoyed a number of successes, despite the region being widely affected by the global economic crisis. These include the opening of a new division dedicated solely to the region's mining industry - the 3M Mining and Mineral Extraction Division; the move of 3M Health Care to its new office in Dubai Healthcare City to better service the region's growing healthcare needs; as well as the acquisition of the Bondo brand and the launch of various new products and solutions into the region, across the company's vast industry portfolio.

According to Hays, the global leader in specialist recruitment, 3M was found to demonstrate 'organizational imperative from the highest level', which included, (as in the other top two companies) 'in-depth development programs for future potentials and practice coaching and mentoring followed by action learning with feedback and assessment'.

Furthermore found the Hays research, '3M consistently and adroitly helps leaders two to four levels below the CEO transition effectively from job to job' - especially since George Buckley took over as CEO of the company in 2005.

Khaled Mamlouk, regional HR Manager for 3M Middle East and Africa discussed the title, and how it correlates with the company's successes in the Middle East.

He said, "As an organization, our focus first and foremost is on innovation, but this is only achievable by having a sound and sustainable organization, which is committed to nurturing and developing high-calibre leaders that share the vision of our company; and as such, virtually every employee of the company - regardless of which 3M team they work with in the world, is considered as a potential leader."

"This, in line with our commitment to quickly respond to the needs of consumers and industry around the region and our rapid growth around the GCC; partnered with 3M's unique ability to capitalize on the remarkable opportunities that the region represents, has enabled us to demonstrate that 3M is a global leader: to work for, to work with and to rely on," Mamlouk added.

The Hays study was conducted with 1,140 companies, headquartered in 89 countries globally. Thirty-nine percent came from North America, 23% from Europe including Eastern Europe, 11% from East Asia, 11% from Middle East/Africa and the remainder from other regions. 52% had annual revenues under $500m, while 12% had revenues over $10bn.

3M offers a range of products and solutions specifically for the Gulf and Middle East region for simplifying the lives of consumers. 3M Gulf's local initiatives include the 3M AutoCare Centres, and 3M Construction, which addresses the specific needs of the region's construction industry. 3M also provides thousands of market-leading branded products that facilitate every day life including Post-it, Nexcare and Scotch-Brite, to customers across the region.