The Jerónimo Martins’ values guide the Group every day. Marta Maia, Chief People Officer, explains that no matter how different each country, culture or history may be, those common values move all employees in the same direction, united in a single attitude.
We all know what it means to talk about values and how important they are – or should be – in our life, whether at work, in our personal lives, within the family or in our dealings with others.
At Jerónimo Martins, talking about values also means being aware of the guiding principles of the stewardship that has led us throughout our history and understanding what they tell us about who we are.
MARTA MAIA
CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER AT JERÓNIMO MARTINS
Jerónimo Martins can trace its origins to an enterprising businessman from Galicia who set up shop in eighteenth century Lisbon, but the defining influence on the company is that of the family which has held the reins for more than a century. We are led today by the fourth generation of the family descended from Francisco Manuel dos Santos, a man whose life was an example of hard work, determination and social responsibility. These are qualities that his successors in the family line – Elísio Alexandre dos Santos and Alexandre Soares dos Santos – have kept alive to this day.
This is the legacy we pay tribute to in the Jerónimo Martins Code of Conduct when we say: “Our values have always been present and are the strength that has led us along the way. More than words, they are actions that define how we act from day to day, how we treat our people and how they work with us. Our history bears witness to this at every turn because the values of an individual or an organisation are seen above all in their words and deeds.”
Under the leadership of Pedro Soares dos Santos and with a workforce by the end of 2023 in excess of 130,000, we are still inspired by the ambition of growth, by team spirit and mutual assistance, by rewarding individual and collective merit and by a sense of responsibility for the consequences of our decisions.
It was in order to formally recognise and perpetuate this legacy that we decided to codify and communicate our values in the different countries we operate in. We want future generations of leaders in the Group to share our pride in what they inherit and to keep it alive.
When values are inspiring and genuine, they are powerful factors in making organisations attractive in the labour market.
In the world we live in today, with all its complexities, distractions and adversities, which make leadership the art of navigating uncertain waters, values have a crucial role to play. They are the beacon that lead us to a safe harbour, as well as the anchor that keeps us true to ourselves and resolute in our decision to choose what is right.
Our values define who we are and how we choose to conduct ourselves in business and in society. They are what unite us despite the great diversity in our group – much more than the fact that we speak different languages and live in countries as disparate as Poland, Portugal and Colombia – and they are also what make us unique.
After a process in which all the Group Companies played an active role over the course of nearly a year, this is how we have defined the values and standards that are the backbone of our corporate identity.
When values are inspiring and genuine, they are powerful factors in making organisations attractive in the labour market. Whilst it is true that the way we live and honour our values is the responsibility of everyone in leadership positions in Jerónimo Martins, as Chief People Officer, I realise that Human Resources teams have an additional role to play in ensuring that all our staff clearly know “what the Company stands for”. This is the underlying shared vision we need in order to face the challenges the future has in store for us.
OUR VALUES
In the Jerónimo Martins Group, these are the values and the standards of conduct that we know are expected of us. It is with these values that we will continue to grow as a business and to foster the growth of our people. As we face the future, we know from our history that a sense of purpose has always been the real driving force behind success.
WE RAISE THE BAR
I never settle so I make sure what gets done is beyond expectations and I encourage others to do the same.
I have a “can-do attitude” and I am focused on being better in everything I do.
I am ready to try and take calculated risks without jeopardizing what needs to be done.
WE COUNT ON EACH OTHER
I collaborate and share so we can all discover new ways to achieve our goals.
I welcome different perspectives, and I respect the role and the work done by others.
I value achievements and celebrate success across the Group and Companies.
WE BELIEVE IN DOING THE RIGHT THING
I don’t lie, and I am accountable for my decisions and learn from my mistakes.
I treat everyone with dignity and respect.
I act ethically and with integrity in everything I do.
