Switching the fire reassure and refounding

Switching the fire, reassure and refounding... This is the walk from Stéphane Richard, new number two of France Telecom, who took his position two weeks ago, in full wave of suicides among the historical operator. To go to the meeting of the employees, the new head of operations in the hexagon has embarked on a France tour of the different sites of the company. Yesterday, the day of sending the questionnaire developed by the Technologia cabinet and sent to 102.000 employees of the company, Stéphane Richard, followed by TV cameras, was in Toulouse.

Free speech

After Bordeaux, Lens and Metz, the move to Toulouse is a simple operation of communication "That is was told if I had stayed in my Office in Paris." "That I am a man taking its decisions in an ivory tower," replied the claimant to accusations of hype. Day without time for the future President and CEO of France Telecom, which must take the direction of the operator after the departure of Didier Lombard normally expected in 2011. It is a meeting with 150 executives of the territorial Directorate of Midi-Pyrénées travel begins. This meeting is known as "meeting of free expression." The goal That local managers say that they have on the heart after 25 suicides in a year and a half and recent media excitement, they release their word. Stéphane Richard, announced its intention to "present an action plan for operations in France here in early 2010".This plan will include a part related to reorganization and budget part. "It is important that it goes quickly to show that change," the leader loose. End of November, the questionnaire will be stripped and individual interviews with 1,000 employees may begin. But already, Stéphane Richard rushed to try to restore the morale to the troops and to outline a few very simple steps. "Usability is not a gadget." In France Telecom, it must be celebrating anniversaries, births, cakes and pots of departure. "In addition,"to be including more collective in the remuneration of employees", is the leader. And "with respect to the management by objectives, it went too far in this way again", recognizes the leader. At the buffet, languages start. Patrice, thirty years in the network load and France Telecom, said that "content", but considers that the problem of the company comes from the fact that "for years, there was a tacit agreement between the employees and the company." It was in essence, you change your work but not location. "Three years ago, all jumped with the requirement of geographical mobility".

In the afternoon, the media caravan takes the direction of the Toulouse region call centre. Union host Committee is present as it should be, South and CGT activists in mind. Many refuse to shake hands with the new boss, who still managed to return to discuss with employees that lend themselves to the game.

Not a magician

So far, although he listens, Stéphane Richard does not hide that it is not a magician: "France Telecom cannot differentiate in a number of areas." "It is unimaginable that, in call centres, it abandons a number of tools that are used in all the world call centres". Just as "France Telecom cannot abandon professional mobility." "Otherwise, it is death," said the former Director of Office of Christine Lagarde. Another point on which some unions are likely to be disappointed, the leader will not return to the financial objectives, two days from the election of the salaried directors. "It is not in giving more to the shareholders that the situation will arrange", prevents the number two of the group who "should not oppose the quality of work and economic performance."