It’s been one year since we launched Voices of Change—and the series continues to go from strength to strength.
To date, we’ve published a wide scope of articles providing insights, inspiration, and tips to the wider business community from PMI employees around the world.
Created by Silvia Andrade Edwards, Maryann Johnson-Hill, and Andreia Fontes, the series aimed to help guide business professionals through the uncertainty and upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
“With Voices of Change, we wanted to address the challenges we’ve faced,” says Silvia, General Manager for Central America South, “but also, highlight the opportunities that exist in this rapidly changing business environment.
“The series has provided a platform—both for ourselves and our PMI colleagues—to offer reassurance and, hopefully, valuable takeaways and insights to our business peers across the world.”
Adapting to adversity
Maryann Johnson-Hill, Director of Product Strategy, Combustibles Category, believes the difficulties of the past year have taught people to be more resilient and resolute in the face of unprecedented adversity.
“With great change comes great uncertainty,” she explains, “and we’ve all had to adjust to a completely new way of working.
“In my lifetime, there has never been a sterner test of our adaptability than the one we’ve all been subjected to since the global outbreak of COVID-19.
“But I’m in awe at the professionalism, focus, determination, and strength that has helped safeguard so many companies and organizations through this tumultuous period. It’s further proof that when we work together, the human race is far too big a force for a pandemic to reckon with.”
More business learnings from Voices of Change
Solutions for relatable issues
Meanwhile, Andreia Fontes, Director of Printing & Converting, praises the contributions of PMI employees to the Voices of Change series—all of whom have imparted their experiences and expertise to help others.
“What began as a discussion between Maryann, Silvia, and myself has become a great source of pride for the three of us,” she says.
“Not just because we’ve seen Voices of Change blossom into the success it has become today—but because our readers have related to many of the topics raised by our colleagues, and learned invaluable tips from their insights.
“Never before has it been so important to look beyond the four walls of our own offices and work together to keep each other motivated and our economies buoyant. I’m proud that we’ve played a small part in doing just that.”
As the world begins its slow journey to post-pandemic recovery, our Voices of Change contributors will continue to provide guidance as a new business era takes shape, and familiar business matters ensue.
Top five Voices of Change articles
If you’re keen to learn more from PMI’s global workforce, here are five of the most popular Voices of Change articles since the series launched in the summer of 2020.
- Becoming a good leader is not about ambition—it’s a natural consequence of your actions. Good leaders don’t pursue personal gain. Instead, they’re all about leading teams to success through inspiring and collaborating with people. Written by Tatevik Oganesyan, Communications & Scientific Engagement Supervisor, Philip Morris Armenia.
- Starting a new job remotely: Seven tips for managers and new employees. Two PMI employees—who started their roles during lockdown—share their experiences to help new hires and managers get to grips with the challenges of recruitment and onboarding in remote work settings.
- Empathy in the workplace: 10 questions to help you become a more empathic leader. As the world continues to adjust to coronavirus, empathy in business has proven imperative to the success of organizations. Written by Silvia Andrade Edwards, Head of Global Commercial RRP Planning.
- The perfect match: Seven tips for building effective teams. PMI’s former Ireland field hockey international gives her advice on building high-performing teams through effective leadership and teamwork. Written by Nikki Symmons, PMI Global Studio planner.
- The power of acknowledgement. Why it is so important to master the art of acknowledging and recognizing employee effort. Written by Andreia Fontes, Director of Printing and Converting.