[GPTW] PM-International sets standard in employee engagement with innovative programs

By Lee Min-hyung

PM-International Korea stands out as an exemplary company committed to enhancing employee morale through various programs that foster communication among its staff.

The local subsidiary of the global health and fitness product maker is introducing such programs to maximize employee happiness, which the firm’s leader believes is a stepping stone for any firm’s sustainable growth.

“I prioritize creating a corporate culture where employees can focus on their work without concerns, take pride in the company and grow together,” Timo Breithaupt, general manager at PM-International Korea, said.

Breithaupt also underscored the importance of communication in the workplace so that employees and executives can build deeper trust. The company also runs fair reward systems for those who achieve outstanding performance.

“My fundamental belief is that a company’s growth starts with employee happiness,” he said. “A company cannot sustain itself without win-win of both the company and its employees.”

Since its founding in 2018, PM-International has experienced rapid expansion, resulting in a disparity between the company's growth and that of its employees. With a significant influx of new hires, the company faced key challenges, including a communication gap between existing and new team members.

To resolve the issue, PM-International Korea introduced its mentoring and onboarding programs to enable new employees to smoothly adjust to its organizational culture.

The firm also initiated what it calls “PM-Day” and “After Work Party” to enhance its company-wide communication and promote a healthier corporate culture.

“Additionally, we implemented an anonymous feedback platform, allowing employees to freely express their thoughts on various topics, such as management decisions,” he said.

The company also runs regular town halls to ensure that all employees are aligned with the company’s key updates and vision. As a result, PM-Day has now become one of its most recognized communication programs, playing a vital role in employee engagement and conflict resolution, the company said.

PM-International Korea spoke highly of the achievement of the program, as its turnover rate among new employees has decreased by more than 20 percent after its initiation.

The company also pursues an open-door communication policy to ensure leadership remains accessible to employees at all times.

It launched an online discussion board designed to facilitate two-way communication. Unlike conventional one-way feedback collection methods, the new model has become a direct channel for employees to voice their concerns and receive transparent responses, fostering a more open and inclusive workplace.

“To truly realize the Great Place to Work (GPTW) philosophy, we boldly moved away from hierarchical structures and established a flatter horizontal organization by eliminating traditional job ranks,” he said. “These efforts have been instrumental in shaping PM-International Korea into an exemplary GPTW company.”