Here at Mars we believe very strongly in developing talent at an early stage. Actually, many of our current division heads started out with us as academics, and have come up through the ranks. As such they are part of the Mars cultural foundation, and have helped to make Mars what it is today. With this in mind, many of our divisions have a long tradition of creating and operating trainee/developmental programs that are highly acclaimed in their respective markets. Even those divisions that do not have trainee programs invest a great deal of time and energy to see to it that students enjoy a flexible entrance into the company, and are allowed to grow and develop at their own pace. At present we do not have a trainee program in Scandinavia, but we do have student workers who work with us part-time while they pursue their studies. They can put into practice with us what they have learned at university, and at the same time gain an impression of working life, and learn how we do business here at Mars. For many, this has paved the way for an eventual full-time job at Mars.
Free
Operating to the highest standards of business ethics, our family ownership gives us the total freedom to shape our own future and create a genuine mutuality of benefits between ourselves and everyone who we do business with.
Fair
We believe the contribution of each individual in Mars is a vital ingredient in the continued success of our business. This is recognized by the use of the term 'associate' for everyone who works in Mars. It symbolizes the firmness of our belief in the way our associates should be treated. In return for accepting responsibility for the achievement of specific goals and objectives, our 'associates' are entitled to enjoy fair treatment, respect, and rewards commensurate with their contribution.
Open
We believe in quick and transparent communication. We believe in being able to connect with anyone at any level at anytime. We believe in posting opportunities for all our associates to see around the world and to apply if qualified. This way of working fosters a style of 'egalitarianism', with open plan offices in all our units around the world, with no private offices or executive facilities, and regular business communication for all.
Engaging
We believe that the role of 'organization' is to release the talents of individuals, providing structure, processes, and a clear framework that liberate and enable every associate to give their very best.
By clarifying accountabilities, designing challenging and interesting jobs with built-in career development steps, and creating communities of shared purpose, we enhance the engagement (and therefore the performance) of our associates around the world.
Empowering
We believe that to succeed in today's rapidly changing world, we must truly understand our consumers needs and wants and be able to translate these into high quality - great value products if we are to keep their loyalty.
To meet our goal of being highly consumer-centric, our local operating units have the freedom to act quickly, with un-bureaucratic management, where responsibility is delegated and associates have wide discretion in making decision that affect their day-to-day work.
