Kubota Connect - Make Commitment

Make Connections

Reconnecting During Times of Change

As in-person and hybrid meetings become more promising in the near future, we are reflecting on how brands will need to rebuild and potentially reimagine their culture as employees begin coming back to work in person or continue to work from home. Building an employee engagement campaign ahead of the game will strengthen the trust and respect employees have for your brand. Let’s take a look back to when we helped Kubota, a major tractor and heavy equipment manufacturer, successfully rebuild trust and connection with key stakeholders during a challenging time.

The Challenge…
The Kubota brand is built on a culture of trust and respect, so when the company relocated its HQ from California to Texas, relationships between management, employees and partners were deeply damaged. Many people lost their jobs, partners didn’t feel supported, and there was intense anxiety about the future. The company needed to restore confidence, repair relationships and reinforce commitment all while hitting sales targets via ongoing education and marketing support.

Our Approach…
We had to rebuild trust during a challenging, make-or-break time for Kubota. We understood that meaningful change could not happen overnight, so we designed a program that unfolded over several months, culminating with the National Dealer Meeting. To reduce anxiety and rebuild trust, we tapped into Kubota’s core values of family and partnership. We branded the event “CONNECT” which reinforced Kubota’s values and served as a call to action for attendees and executives. By emphasizing transparency, communication and team building, Kubota CONNECT could create positive cultural change, repair relationships and increase sales.

The Outcome…
Over the course of the program, surveys showed that people felt more connected to the Kubota brand and to each other. Management demonstrated its commitment to its employees and partners. People felt heard, understood and appreciated, and anxieties were alleviated because executives were transparent and accessible. As a result, the company had begun to rebuilt trust and restore its reputation.

Want to learn more about employee engagement strategies? We can help you. Contact us at info@iv.com.