Training & Development
- Fabiola Salcedo, Financial Professional Development Program analyst, is one of 28 entry-level employees who rotate through a series of financial positions across our company over a two-year period, as part of our commitment to developing leaders. She meets with mentor Joe Kosinski, director of Corporate Manufacturing and Customs and Trade Compliance, on a regular basis to monitor her progress.
Our online mentoring program provides employees with one-on-one support as they manage and develop their careers. More than 420 mentoring partnerships are in place across the United States.
Mentoring
Abbott offers training programs and resources for employees at all levels to ensure they have the skills, tools, resources and mentoring support they need to succeed. Our talent management process proactively manages succession planning, and accelerates the development of key talent. Our senior leaders act as mentors and sponsors, and help prepare the next generation of Abbott leaders.
This year, more than 5,000 leaders in the U.S. attended corporate-sponsored leadership development programs. These programs, coupled with a robust onboarding process and a newly launched Web site, help employees become successful faster in their new roles. In 2008, we will introduce a Director-level training program and an Experienced Manager Program focused on critical skills in strategic thinking, change management and communications.
For more information on our training programs, visit Living Our Values.
Performance Excellence
We employ a companywide talent management process that creates a strong pipeline of leaders to sustain and expand the business. This process consists of talent review meetings that take place at all levels of our organization, with the reviews of executive positions by senior management, including our chairman and CEO and board of directors. Teams identify talent for current and future leadership opportunities and the development needed to prepare these employees for more senior positions.
All employees participate in our annual performance management process, known as Performance Excellence. Employees work with their managers to assess their ongoing performance, set new goals and objectives, and create career development plans. This process helps employees integrate their work priorities with the broader objectives of our organization, champion the business strategy and understand management expectations.
Employee Networks
Employee networks play a vital role in building an inclusive culture at Abbott. By focusing on career development, mentoring, informal networking and work-life management, our networks expand opportunities for women and minorities to advance into leadership roles. Networks are sponsored by corporate officers, who help align the group's objectives with Abbott's business strategy. Nearly 8,000 U.S. employees participate in leadership networks. These include: LA VOICE Network (Hispanic/Latino), Women Leaders in Action, Black Business Network, Asian Cultural Leadership Network, PRIDE Network (gay/ lesbian) and the Part-Time Network.
