2012-03-26
BMI Alumni Annual Awards 2012: The List of Nominations

'BMI Alumni Annual Awards 2012 ceremony will take place during the Gala Dinner event on April 18th, 2012. Members of BMI Alumni community are invited to vote on the following nominations:
Career of the Year 2012
Entrepreneur of the Year 2012
Social Initiative of the Year 2012

The list of all nominees in the alphabetical order is provided below.


THE AWARD: CAREER OF THE YEAR

NOMINEE 1
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MARIUS HORBAČAUSKAS
BMI class
V
Current Position
CEO, Volfas Engelman
Company
Since 1999, the company belongs to the Finnish OLVI corporate group. Olvi is the third largest beer and non-alcoholic beverage producer in Finland and was founded in 1878. For 8 years now VOLFAS ENGELMAN is the primary distributer of the Heineken brand in Lithuania. Currently, the company employs almost 200 people and has been managed by Vytautas Meištas since 2004. The brewery, which is in its second century of existence, produces beer, gira (kvass), cider and alcoholic cocktails. The company introduces new drinks, focusing on the quality of the products and ensuring that fresh beer reaches consumers. The brewery is a home to several well-known trademarks including Volfas Engelman, Fortas, Smetoniška gira, Fizz and other products. May 12, 2011 marks a moment of historic justice and the revival of the Volfas Engelman Brewery. To this day, Volfas Engelman is the only brewery in Lithuania to feature the surnames of its founders.
Former position
Advisor to Minister of Economy
You say about Marius
He is very ambitious, target oriented, with good will. /Jurgita Grėbliauskienė/
LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=17182580&locale=en_US&trk=tyah

NOMINEE 2

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JONAS IRŽIKEVIČIUS
BMI class
VI
Current Position
CFO & Board Member, SEB bank
Company
Member of the SEB Group – a leading Nordic financial services group – SEB Bank is the major commercial bank in Lithuania, offering its customers financial advice and a wide range of banking services. The SEB Bank Group in Lithuania consists of SEB Bank as well as its three subsidiary companies (SEB Investicijų Valdymas, SEB Lizingas, SEB Venture Capital) and owns life insurance company SEB Gyvybės Draudimas, the investment banking company SEB Enskilda, a real estate holding company Litectus. In addition, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB, Vilnius Branch, established in 2008 with the function of managing accounts of a certain part of SEB customers in Sweden.
Established in 1990 in Lithuania, SEB Bank (until 21 January 2008 – SEB Vilniaus Bankas) was a pioneer of modern commercial banking in Lithuania. Ever since the start of its activities, the bank has been launching advanced banking services, strengthening its relationship with customers and significantly contributing to the development of Lithuania’s banking market. 
Former position
CEO, SEB Asset Management Lithuania
You say about Jonas
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LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=7711700&locale=en_US&trk=tyah2

NOMINEE 3

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MARIUS JUONYS
BMI class
X
Current Position
Partner, LAWIN
Company
LAWIN – internationally highest ranked business law firm in the Baltics – was launched in 2004 by Lepik & Luhaaar (Estonia), Klavins & Slaidins (Latvia) and Lideika, Petrauskas, Valiunas ir partneriai (Lithuania) – leading law firms in each jurisdiction since their very foundation in the beginning of 1990‘s. For nearly two decades, company’s practices and lawyers in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are continuously top-ranked by the most prestigious international legal directories (Chambers Global and Europe, Legal 500 EMEA, IFLR 1000). The most recent recognition includes „Law Firm of the Year 2011: Baltics” award for the legal innovation by IFLR and „Law Firm of the Year 2011” European award for the Baltic States by The Lawyer magazine. With over 140 legal professionals working in five practice groups, LAWIN is ideally positioned to provide the highest caliber, specialized legal services both domestically and on a pan-Baltic dimension.
Former position
Associate partner, LAWIN
You say about Marius
“The career of our recent partner is a splendid example of how talent evolves inside our law firm. Marius Juonys’ work has had an important impact on our law firm since the start of his practice. We believe that his expertise in competition and public procurement law will help us further strengthen relations with clients who need legal assistance in these fields and will contribute to the development of our law firm,“ /Rolandas Valiūnas/
LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/marius-juonys/18/b64/754

NOMINEE 4

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AURIMAS KLIMAS
BMI class
XI
Current Position
Manager Finance, Philip Morris International
Company
PHILIP MORRIS INTERNATIONAL (PMI) is the leading international tobacco company, with products sold in approximately 180 countries. It is the number one company in 13 markets and number two in a further nine of the 30 largest markets by cigarette industry size in terms of market share. The company aims to generate superior returns for shareholders, provide high quality and innovative products to adult smokers, and reduce the harm caused by tobacco products. PMI works toward this last goal by supporting comprehensive regulation based on harm reduction and developing products with the potential to reduce the risk of disease. 
Former position
CEO & Partner, Addvisors
You say about Aurimas
Just impressive international career. /Margarita Abraitė/
LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=21902861&locale=en_US&trk=tyah2

NOMINEE 5

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SKAISTĖ KNYZAITĖ
BMI class
XI
Current Position
CEO, AviationCV.com
Company
AviationCV.com is part of Avia Solutions Group including companies like: Baltic Ground Service, FL Technics, FL Technics Jet, Baltic Aviation Academy, Small Planet airlines. AviationCV.com offers effective aviation personnel solutions, aviation jobs, airline jobs, pilot jobs. The company helps the airlines and aviation professionals to get together for mutual business relations in a possibly shortest and most effective way. Backed with full aviation training infrastructure at the largest aviation training center in Eastern Europe Baltic Aviation Academy, AviationCV.com is able to provide better employment opportunities for motivated pilots (pilot jobs) and crews, avia crew in the developing countries and to offer cost-effective staffing solutions for airlines in the developed markets.
Former position
CEO & Partner, Addvisors
You say about Skaistė
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LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=6995302&locale=en_US&trk=tyah2

NOMINEE 6

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SAULIUS LEONAVIČIUS
BMI class
VII
Current Position
CEO, Saerimner
Company
It took merely several years for SAERIMNER, established in Lithuania in 1999, to become the largest pig-breeder in the Baltic States. Successful development and good financial results has always been and remained an important, though not the single objective of the company. At the moment, Saerimner owns several pig-breeding units in different regions of Lithuania. All units are fully refurbished and updated using modern technologies and new equipment. Pigs are bred according to the highest standards which guarantee both the quality of the production and veterinary treatment of the bred pigs. Pigs are treated on the strict grounds of all standards and regulations of the European Union. From the very beginning of its activity, Saerimner has followed the principle stating that success can only be expected when involving into socially responsible business. Environmental care, respect to people and to the company's staff, high quality of the production, relationships based on transparency and trust are the key values determining every decision of the company.
Former position
CFO, Saerimner
You say about Saulius
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LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=14747828&locale=en_US&trk=tyah2


NOMINEE 7

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ALEXEY MARUSHEVSKY
BMI class
VIII
Current Position
Director, Hilti Belarus & Baltics
Company
HILTI provides leading-edge technology to the global construction industry. Hilti products, systems and services offer the construction professional innovative solutions with outstanding added value. Founded in 1941, the worldwide Hilti Group evolved from a small family company. Today the headquarters of the Hilti Group are in Schaan in the Principality of Liechtenstein. Some 22,000 employees, in more than 120 countries around the world, enthuse their customers and built a better future. Hilti excels through outstanding innovation, top quality, direct customer relations and effective marketing. Two-thirds of the employees work directly for the customer in sales organizations and in engineering, which means a total of more than 200,000 customer contacts every day. Hilti has its own production plants as well as research and development centers in Europe, Asia and Latin America. Hilti upholds a clear value orientation and pursues a policy of stakeholder value. Integrating the interests of all the company’s partners – customers, suppliers and employees – into its strategy and actively honoring its social and ecological responsibility creates the foundation of trust that makes possible the long-term success of the company.
Former position
Area Sales Manager, Hilti Belarus
You say about Alexey
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LinkedIn 
http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=15910015&locale=en_US&trk=tyah2

NOMINEE 8

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INDRĖ PUIŠĖ
BMI class
VII
Current Position
CEO Baltics, DPD
Company
With a daily volume of 2.5 million parcels shipped in a seamless international network, today DPD (Dynamic Parcel Distribution) is one of Europe's leading parcel service providers. With over 800 depots in 40 countries, 24,000 employees and 18,000 vehicles are at the service of 300,000 business customers. As a leading provider of standard and express parcel services DPD operates day in day out on behalf of thousands of satisfied customers. Former Lithuanian Bizpak became a part of international parcel delivery system DPD back in 2002 and started to deliver parcels to/from all over Europe. Starting from 2004 company belongs to GeoPost, the Groupe La Poste company. In Lithuania today the company fully operates under DPD brand and leads the market in B2B parcel shipping. Day in, day out over 400 skilled employees at 14 depots ensure simple, fast and reliable parcel transport – a major achievement which is only possible with a unique, efficient transport network. 
Former position
Sales Director / Member of the Management Board, Bitė Lietuva
You say about Indrė
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LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=12807418&locale=en_US&trk=tyah2

NOMINEE 9

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MINDAUGAS SNARSKIS
BMI class
XII
Current Position
General director, Fazer Kepyklos Lithuania
Company
The origins of Fazer Group lie in a family company founded in 1891 when Karl Fazer opened his first café in Helsinki. Today, Fazer is an international company with 17 thousand employees and operates in eight countries.
Fazer has two business areas, Fazer Food Services and Fazer Bakeries & Confectionery, which are committed to creating taste sensations. The best-known Fazer's confectionery brands include Karl Fazer,
Geisha, Dumle, Tutti Frutti.
In Lithuania Fazer is represented by Fazer Lithuania - one of the leading bakeries in the country, continuously delivering award-winning products to the customers. The company represents Gardėsis bakery products and Fazer confectionery.
Former position
Sales Director, Fazer Lithuania
You say about Mindaugas
Significant career move during studies at BMI, ambitious targets for the company. /Paulius Tarbūnas/
LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=100395008&locale=en_US&trk=tyah2

NOMINEE 10

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EGIDIJUS VAIŠVILAS
BMI class
IV
Current Position
Managing director, West Express
Company
WEST EXPRESS is a destination management company (DMC) of travel specialists that has gathered two decades of experience to become the leading organizer of meetings, incentives, conferences and other events in the Baltic States. The primary goal of DMC West Express is to ensure the highest professional standards from planning to implementation of different tours and trips. DMC West Express has a network of 20 offices throughout the Baltic region. It is one of the biggest and best-known full-service travel agencies in the Baltic States and the leader of business and leisure travel in Lithuania. DMC West Express is an exclusive partner of BTI since 1999 and an exclusive partner of HRG since 2004. In October 2009 our company has received the international ISO 9001:2008 certificate. 
Former position
Internal Affairs Director, Omnitel
You say about Egidijus
Egidijus became a managing director of one of the largest travel agencies in Lithuania. /Artūras Abromavičius/
LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=13514961&locale=en_US&trk=tyah2

NOMINEE 11

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GENUTĖ VOVERIENĖ
BMI class
X
Current Position
Senior director global quality control, Oriflame, HQ Sweden
Company
Founded in 1967, ORIFLAME is today one of the fastest growing beauty companies selling direct. Oriflame is present in more than 60 countries, of which we are the market leader in more than half. The company offers a wide range of high-quality beauty products as well as a unique opportunity to join our sales force and start your own business. Company in brief:
· 1.5 billion Euros in annual sales 
· approximately 3.6 million Consultants
· 7 900 employees 
· A product range of approximately 1000 products.
· Co-founder of World Childhood Foundation. 
· Global R&D centre with more than 100 scientists
· 5 own production units in Sweden, Poland, China, Russia and India
· Listed on the Nasdaq OMX Exchange since March 2004
· Operations in more than 60 countries of which 13 franchisees
Former position
Quality manager, UAB Kalnapilio-Tauro grupė
You say about Genutė
Genutė has moved with her family to Stokholm to continue her career as Global Quality Control Manager for whole Oriflame organisation that has its subsidiaries across the world. It is definitely a huge jump in her career comparing her past position including only responsibilities for local factory in Lithuania. /Jūratė Jazukevičienė/
LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=66375848&locale=en_US&trk=tyah

THE AWARD: ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR


NOMINEE 1

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MARGARITA ABRAITĖ
BMI class
XI
Position(s)
Founder and Partner, Renewables Management LPP
Business
Renewables Management LPP was established in 2011 in Edinburgh and is committed to working in partnership with investors and trusted worldwide known partners adding real value in the process. Company is active in one of the fastest growing UK renewable energy industry. Renewables Management LLP provides full management services for foreign investors acquiring or/and developing various sizes of wind farms in UK: full management services throughout a project life cycle – site identification, feasibility, permitting, construction and asset management, portfolio formation and risk management. The goal of Renewables Management LLP is to provide an opportunity to Lithuanian investors to have high and sustainable return on equity with relatively low risk. 
Website
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NOMINEE 2

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MARIUS ČIUŽELIS
BMI class
IX
Position(s)
Founder and Managing Partner, MC Wealth Management
Business
MC WEALTH MANAGEMENT (MCWM) is a boutique financial advisory company, supervised and regulated by the Securities Commission of Lithuania. The company offers full scale private wealth management services to the business owners, highest level executives and other HNWIs. „We have started our business believing that this business should be run differently. We are challenging industry norms: our success is directly related to our clients success, not when we sell them another service or product. At MCWM we believe it's all about providing peace of mind. Our goal is to let our clients focus on their business and their lives – our job is to manage effectively their financial affairs in an environment of trust, transparency and confidentiality. Our clients should enjoy working with us as individuals, feeling as if they’re our only client. Their objectives are our objectives and we’ll stop at nothing to achieve them. We are passionate in what we do because we want to, not because we feel we have to.” – shares Marius. 
During three years of activities the company raised assets under care up to LTL 100m. Last year the company entered institutional market and now institutional clients take approximately 50% of raised assets. Within only three years of its existence, the company succeeded to increase the business equity by more than 5000% starting from the minimum requested capital of LTL 10K. At the end of 2011 the MCWM started international expansion to Ukraine, Slovenia and Poland. 
Website:
http://www.linkedin.com/company/mc-wealth-management

NOMINEE 3

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MINDAUGAS KAZLAUSKAS
BMI class
X
Position(s)
Founder and General Manager, Synergium
Business
One of the leading translation service and translation productivity software providers in the Baltic States, SYNERGIUM was established in 2005 in Vilnius, by forming a team of in-house specialists and a network of freelancers providing services of translation into Eastern European languages. Every year since its establishment, the company grew more than 130% and therefore geographical and localization service range expansion was inevitable. Today company has offices and inhouse teams of project managers, translators, editors, software engineers in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Russian Federation and Ukraine and is the biggest translation company in Lithuania and one of the leaders in Baltic States.
Synergium rakings and Awards:
· placed among the Lithuanian Top 10 Companies in the Customer Focus category of the prestigious European Business Awards
· nominated as one of the fastest growing and most successful companies in Lithuania by the leading national business daily Verslo Žinios in 2010. 
· ranked first among translation service companies in Gazele 2011, the prestigious yearly rankings of the fastest growing small and medium-sized businesses in Lithuania, based on the percentage revenue growth over four years (157%, i.e. 3 times more than the market). 
· ranked 25th in the rankings of the Deloitte's Technology Fast 50 Central Europe 2011, the prestigious annual award that honors the fastest growing technology companies in the region, based on the revenue growth over the five-year period (582%).
Website:
http://www.synergium.eu/


NOMINEE 4

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VIDAS PETRAITIS
BMI class
X
Position(s)
Lean practitioneer, Lean.lt
Business
Lean.lt is a company founded by the former managers and experts of Toyota in the Baltic States and Eastern Europe. The experience of methods and cultures derives from Toyota company. Experts of Lean.lt are certified specialists of Lean methods and possess extensive experience in implementation of them in different organizations. 
The goal of Lean system is to create higher value and increase the competitive advantage of the client by using least possible resources. Continuous improvement and elimination of non-profit activities are the two key principles defining the nature of Lean. It means elimination or contraction of processes that do not create value for the company or the client, at the same time establishing a continuous development culture in the organisation.
The goal of Lean.lt is to promote and implement Lean ideas in Lithuania.
Website:
http://www.lean.lt

NOMINEE 5

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LINAS PETRUKAITIS / TOMAS GEDMINAS
BMI class
X / IX
Position(s)
Co-owners, Kitchen restaurant
Business
The restaurant KITCHEN opened in spring 2011 as a realization of the passion to cooking and interior designing by two active advertising experts Tomas and Linas. This place became incredibly popular even though it doesn’t even have a proper website or didn’t run any active promoting campaign. Yet, the rank #14 (4.5 rate) among 153 restaurants listed on Tripadvisor illustrates the success the restaurant has achieved during only one year of its existence. 
Soon after the opening everyone in town kept talking about this new amazing place, so reservations are needed even on regular Tuesday night. The restaurant with eye-catching modern spacious Scandinavian-style interior in darker tones and extremely attentive and polite staff, offers a menu that is not overcrowded but offers choices to suit every taste – Mediterranean, Italian cuisine, poultry dishes, great cream soups. 
The Kitchen Vilnius has a twin brother located in Nida during summer season, where the customer will experience the menu, high quality service, simple cosiness and feeling of welcoming as good as the one in Vilnius offers. 
Website:
http://lt-lt.facebook.com/kitchenvilnius

NOMINEE 6

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MINDAUGAS RUTKAUSKAS
BMI class
IX
Position(s)
Chief Operating Officer, MokiPay Europe
Business
MOKIPAY is an innovative and revolutionary NFC based platform of Mobile Payments and Loyalty programs on Cloud. It empowers Mobile Operators, Banks and Retail companies to provide Mobile Wallet services for their customer. Lithuania is one of the first countries where customers can make purchases and participate in loyalty programs just using their phone. No cash. No traditional credit cards. Payments are fast, convenient and secure. The first payment using Mobile phone was done on 2011 April 18th. Mobile phone was used to pay for a Lemon at Fortas restaurant. 
Mokipay is one of the first Mobile payment and loyalty systems in the world that is fully operating and deployed on a national scale, developed by the company in less than a year. Mokipay became a Product of the Year 2011 and got a gold medal in the category of the most innovative information technology. Now the company is a finalist or the winner of many local and international innovation awards.
Mokipay has attracted the interest of international players and starts its expansion to other markets. Mokipay expects its second year to be international growth year. 
Website:
http://www.mokipay.com

THE AWARD: SOCIAL INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR


NOMINEE 1

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KĘSTUTIS GADEIKIS
BMI class
IX
Position(s)
Chief Actuary, Lietuvos Draudimas
Social Initiative / Project
Youth Innovation and Business camps
The voluntary activities of Lithuanian has attracted the attention and won the Community Award by Royal and Sun Alliance – the British group of insurance companies. The delivered list of voluntary activities has returned with an addition in value – 5.000 British Pounds. Kęstutis Gadeikis – a volunteer at „Lietuvos Junior Achievement“ (LJA) competed with 87 applicants from Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East. These awards were extraordinary because the financial award was granted to the organization, not the winner personally. The applications were accepted from a variety of fields of voluntary work, starting from aid in asylums, schools, or animal shelters. Yet the organizers of the contest have noticed and saluted the volunteers in youth education in economics and non-insurance subjects. The award was granted to LJA for organizing of four camps dedicated to innovation and business that were attended by 160 pupils and teachers. The teaching in camps was based on “Lunch 2 Lunch” principle with a goal to provide knowledge of economics and create a business plan within 24 hours. Also, LJA was praised for the contests about non-life insurance held at the end of 2011.
Website
http://www.lja.lt

NOMINEE 2

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IRMA LIUBERTIENĖ
BMI class
XII
Position(s)
Member of the Board, Vilnius Private Gymnasium
Social Initiative / Project
Leadership Academy
This initiative is dedicated for development of 15-18 years children from all Vilnius Secondary Schools and gymnasiums. It started in 2010 involving partners – Vilnius University and the Municipality of Vilnius City. In the year 2011 the Ministry of Education and Science of Lithuania approved the project as having great impact on developing leadership skills of children and getting the school and university together. More than 200 children from over 20 Vilnius schools have already attended the project free of any fees. 
Each year since its start-up, the project provides a 40-hour professionally organized free program run by different faculties of VU, arranged in different conference halls of the University. It gives the possibility for future Lithuanian leaders to get the most useful theoretical and practical knowledge in business management, political situation analysis, international relations, the leadership skills development, etc. It is a possibility for pupils to “feel” the University atmosphere and assist them in the most important decision on carrier choice, or even win the scholarship for the future studies. 
For many years Irma is an active initiator and participant in other different social projects dedicated for different age of children. “Business and Career center”; “Debate Club”; “I’m Lithuanian in Europe” – some of successful initiatives, organized for Lithuanian children/youth by Irma in the year 2005-2012. 
Website
http://lt-lt.facebook.com/pages/Lyderystes-akademija/103557356381410#!/pages/Lyderystes-akademija/103557356381410?sk=info


NOMINEE 3

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ŽIVILĖ VALEIŠIEN
BMI class
XIII
Position(s)
HR Business Partner, Omnitel
Social Initiative / Project 
Mobile working places
Omnitel initiated and achieved amendments in Lithuanian labor Code permitting creation of mobile working places – the initiative supporting work-life balance for all company employees. This initiative that started internally and grew out of borders of organization, encouraged establishment of trust-based corporate culture, increase of focus on tasks and projects, ability to balance the work and family care, flexible replacement of workforce in case of illness, education of kids (they see how earnings „are made“ rather than „are got“), employee contribution to environment. Despite it required minor company investments (except dedication of company management, and Živilė as a person responsible for the initiative in particular), it resulted in 56% employee response rate, where 90% name these changes being strong motivator and 72% used this opportunity. Following this, the employee work-life balance indicator has increased by 12%, the company became even more desired employer in the labor market and there were number of other companies asking to share the initiative implementation know-how.
In addition, recently Omnitel has launched the project called Family friendly company – the project that is dedicated to company employees and socially supported families. This project is unique in length (3 years), content and monetary base (LTL 3 million, fully financed by EU funds). It provides special training programs for Omnitel employees fostering self-confidence, trust and responsibility, and helping with personal finance, legal or psychological issues. As a support to socially supported families the project provides special programs for kids day-care centers, assistance to parents in skills necessary to become more competitive in a labor market. The main goal of this program is to spread the awareness of importance of social responsibility among company internal and external society and contribute to change in society attitude towards the socially sensitive aspects of life.
Website
http://www.omnitel.lt/apie-omnitel/socialine-atsakomybe/omnitel-socialine-atsakomybe/omnitel-socialines-atsakomybes-politika/756