Non-Durable goods, sometimes referred to as “Soft Goods,” are consumer items that are either consumes immediately (like a soda) or are expected to last three years of less (like a pair of sneakers.) This is indeed a broad category, but the benefit for a culture study is being able to compare the cultures of companies that aren’t making the same product (depending on how you feel about Coke vs. Pepsi.) Our five companies today – the aforementioned Coke and Pepsi, as well as Nike, Nestle, and Proctor & Gamble – are all cornerstones of the nondurable goods economy and household names. Surely everyone reading this has products from two or three or these companies in their homes right now in one form or another.
OVERALL CULTURE
It comes down to just a few points for the trophy in the Overall Culture category, with PepsiCo and Nike trailing winner Nestle by just one and two points, respectively. The scores for all five companies fell within a small range, with Coke and Proctor & Gamble landing in fourth and fifth place with numbers within hailing distance of the winner. All five of these companies are rather old, and have cultures in place that have existed for decades.
Coca-Cola: “We have fun, we win and we work together. When we lose, we lose as a team and regroup.”
Nestle: “Nestle has a friendly culture so we see each other as teammates rather than competitors. Makes for a friendly environment.”
Nike: “The company believes in itself and that is passed along to the employees.”
Pepsico: “It is a dream like place to work at. It is very challenging, yet easy to get through any obstacle and people are very helpful when needed.”
Proctor & Gamble: “We are all working towards the same goals. Everyone is more than happy to help out if needed. There are plenty of experts when guidance is needed.”
CEO & LEADERSHIP
Nike’s charismatic CEO, Mark Parker, takes the win in the chief executive category. Nestle US’s Steve Presley also scored well for second place. The cola wars continue as Coke’s James Quincey and Pepsi’s Ramon Laguarta end up in dead heat for third place. Again, Proctor & Gamble brings up the rear, with CEO David Taylor rating significantly lower than our other four chief executives.
Coca-Cola: “They will demote themselves and get right back into a truck with us. A lot of respect for them.”
Nestle: “Our CEO is personable and truly connects with the employees. He sees us as individuals rather than just another number added to the overall head count.”
Nike: “Love the CEO but don’t appreciate corporate speak used at many company all hands, especially those hosted by VPs under Mark Parker, although I’ve always appreciated the straight talk from Mark himself, very charismatic and inspiring leader that sets the tone for the entire organization.”
Pepsico: “Our CEO is highly regarded within PEPSICO, a true visionary leader.”
Proctor & Gamble: “David Taylor seems to be ok. From what we can tell.”
COMPENSATION
While all five companies earned solid Compensation scores as determined by employees responses, the clear winner was Nestle US, which earned a solid A. Second-place Nike sits eight points behind Nestle, with PepsiCo hot on the shoemaker’s heels. And this time Proctor & Gamble manages to eek out a fourth-place finish, beating Coke by just one point.
Coca-Cola: “The pay is good but the way overtime pay is generated seems in the low side.”
Nestle: “Company proactively assesses equity and gives increases for adjustments – you don’t always have to feel like you need to fight to be treated fairly.”
Nike: “The stock program is the best benefit I’ve seen from a Fortune 500 company.”
Pepsico: “They stay competitive with other companies. They are highest paying vendor in my area. They offer yearly raises and pay raises on the years served.”
Proctor & Gamble: “Honestly, if they would increase the hourly rate by $2 and the shift differential another .50 cents that’d go a long way for most of us.”
PERKS & BENEFITS
Its Nestle again for Perks & Benefits, although it should be noted that none of these companies won raves from their employees in this category. Pepsi trailed Nestle by three points and beat Coke by three. Coke tied with Proctor & Gamble here, and Nike – for a change – came in last. Again, all five scores ended up in the same ballpark, implying that the company cultures at all five long-standing companies are relatively basic and interchangeable, and more than likely based on older workplace standards.
Coca-Cola: “Great benefits especially compared to Pepsi as a supervisor for 10 years. I’m getting better benefits in less than one year with Coca-Cola.”
Nestle: “If you are relocating for Nestle. they make sure you are well taken care of.”
Nike: “Free shoes and clothes.”
Pepsico: “Work from home. Great gym on premises. Summer Fridays and holiday Fridays in December.”
Proctor & Gamble: “They offer company stock as part of the benefit package for employees after one year. Five weeks vacation for experienced new hires with over 25 years of industry history.”
DIVERSITY
All five companies scored in the B range, with Coke taking the top prize. Nike and Nestle tied for second, with Pepsi and Proctor & Gamble tying for third – or, in this case, last place.
Coca-Cola: “The diversity is great.”
Nestle: “They need to commit to more ethnic diversity initiatives.”
Nike: “Diversity is mostly good. Age is key.”
Pepsico: “There’s a great deal of diversity at PepsiCo.”
Proctor & Gamble: “Great diversity. It is engrained in our culture to have diverse groups working together.”
OUTLOOK
Coca-Cola: “I appreciate the freedom to be an independent sales force selling great products people love and want.”
Nestle: “Great direction, especially in the last year.”
Nike: “Challenging projects and opportunities. I am fortunate to work on an amazing team doing amazing work.”
Pepsico: “Soda sales continue to decline and our better for you products continue to grow. We need to continue to have a well rounded mix of products.”
Proctor & Gamble: “P&G has lasted for 179 years, and it will be there a 100 years from now.”
Nike wins for employee outlook, but its fair to say none of these companies are headed out to pasture anytime soon. Today’s winner is Nestle, which won in three categories – Overall Culture, Compensation, and Perks & Benefits. Second place goes to Nike, who won in the CEO category as well as here in Outlook. As far as the cola wars go, Coke won one trophy (for diversity), which is one more trophy than Pepsi won. And if Proctor & Gamble cares about retention or coming off like an more enlightened, modern company, they have some work to do.
