How Leroy Merlin involves its 28,000 employees in shaping its future

In 1995, the French group Leroy Merlin launched a unique initiative: involving its staff in drawing up a shared vision for the next ten years. This leader in home improvement in France is undoubtedly the only company to have built such a shared vision with this level of depth and over such a long period. Key themes have permeated each vision: for 1995–2005, it was ‘The Customer’, which led to the creation of the helpline and the Carte Maison (loyalty card); for 2005–2015, “The Ecosystem”, focusing on listening to residents and the importance of the local community; for 2015–2025, “Innovation”, which centred on omnichannel retailing, two-hour collection and security. Transformation does not happen overnight, but the fact that it was conceived and driven collectively helps to bring it about. Vision 2035 is currently taking shape. How can one, in all sincerity, involve so many people and synthesise their ideas? The approach has been studied by other companies, which have never really managed to put it into practice…