Target recognises that embracing a diverse and inclusive culture, in which team members can learn and develop and our customers can shop, is critical to its long-term success.

Diversity

This year, the percentage of women in leadership roles increased from 42.4 per cent to 42.9 per cent, while employment of Indigenous people increased from 1.1 per cent of total workforce to 1.2 per cent. In addition, the first Women in Leadership forum was launched for store operations, which aims to focus on building gender diversity initiatives for the store network. Target’s commitment to diversity and creating an inclusive culture also extends to its product marketing.

Learning and Development

The focus for the learning and development team in 2018 has been to build on the successful programs of last year and expand into other functions. Two major pieces of development work have been undertaken. Firstly, the upgrade of Target’s Learning Management System, Sumtotal, will enable all team members to access online learning modules from their mobile device. For the first time, the Target Australia Sourcing Offices in Asia will now be able to utilise this system. Secondly, the development of online customer service assistant training, which will include over 20 modules, is designed to upskill team member’s knowledge in our products, systems and processes.

Other initiatives included:

• Target continued the Target Leaders Program for potential regional managers with 15 participants attending.
• The launch of a two-year Trainee Merchandise Development Program, resulting in 15 participants completing a Certificate IV Leadership and Management.
• A Leadership Training Program for the distribution centre management teams.
• The rollout of a change management program across the store network to support the Target store reset and renewal programs.

Engagement

Target continued its biannual roadshows across its national stores, distribution centres, and Australian and Asian offices. This continues to be a key engagement forum where the leadership team present Target’s progress and priorities and provide an open forum for team members to ask questions and receive clarification and understanding.

A number of pulse surveys were held across the organisation to drive functional engagement initiatives. Target will implement an organisational wide engagement survey in February 2019. In 2018, Target relaunched the Rondel Awards, which is an organisational-wide reward and recognition program based on Target’s company values.

Finally, the introduction of the Workjam platform across Target’s store network has enabled all store team members to access the latest news, information, rosters and training from their mobile device.