ALTRIA
Enterprise Reimagined HR Workshop
On January 31 - February 1, 2024, the Altria, EY, and IBM team gathered to explore the ideal future state vision of HR at Altria and what their priorities should be to enable the future state.
Client Engagement Workshop
*Note: A selection of images has been intentionally obscured to protect client confidentiality.
Duration: 6 Weeks (01.2023 - 02.2024)
The Challenge
How might we transform Altria’s story for the future by reimagining functional support structures to better support our strategic priorities?
Objectives
Gain insights into Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry-leading practices for HR
Envision possibilities: Reimagining Altria’s future HR landscape in the next 3-5 years
Develop a mutual understanding of Altria’s HR current state in each respective workstream and review refreshed data points
Reach consensus on potential HR opportunities and corresponding implementation
Reflect on obstacles preventing change previously at Altria
Agree on 3-5 high-impact areas to be prioritized for forward momentum in the next 12 months
Map out subsequent next steps and align on “new/updated story” to convey to Altria leadership
Design Process
The team leveraged EY wavespace models to scope, probe, and comprehend the ask of the client and how to approach it.
Workshop Agenda
The workshop agenda for a 2-day duration was thoughtfully designed to incorporate a series of interactive activities. These activities were aimed at fostering meaningful discussions, posing thought-provoking questions and ‘a-ha’ moments, and ultimately guiding the participants toward achieving their desired outcomes.
Theme of the Session
In line with the client's aspirations for future forecasting, opportunity exploration, and gaining outside-in insights, the workshop embraced the "travel to the future" theme. This thematic approach infused every aspect of the session, sparking imagination and fostering a forward-thinking mindset among participants.
Production & Workshop Delivery
Participants leveraged Miro and Mentimeter live polling as their collaborative platforms, enhancing engagement throughout the workshop.
The rich outputs stemming from fruitful discussions and activity templates were later shared with the client for their thorough review and consideration.
-
![]()
Workforce of the Future
Immersed in a series of presentations outlining the current state of Altria and a client HR transformation success story, participants were prompted to engage in group discussions. Reflecting on the insights shared, they collectively deliberated on the changes essential for Altria's future workforce across four key categories: People & Culture, Process, Technology, and Data.
-
![]()
Art of the Possible
Participants delved into case studies, examining how fellow clients of EY and IBM tackled similar challenges. Through this exploration, they aligned the case studies to pinpoint key insights and opportunities for implementation moving forward. This exercise empowered them to draw upon real-world examples and leverage collective thinking in addressing their own organizational hurdles.
-
![]()
Headlines of the Future
Participants engaged in a future-back activity, envisioning the landscape of success and identifying potential hurdles to overcome in pursuit of their goals. This exercise encouraged them to think strategically, anticipate challenges, and develop proactive strategies and changes to navigate toward their vision effectively.
-
![]()
Guiding Principles
Day 1 concluded with participants coming together to align on guiding principles rooted in their shared beliefs and behaviors. These principles serve as a compass, guiding them toward success.
-
![]()
Scenario Discussion
Participants began Day 2 by reviewing the insights from the previous day. Then they engaged in dialogue to articulate their needs and identified specific examples of elements currently lacking but crucial for achieving success.
-
![]()
Maturity Assessment
Utilizing Mentimeter, each participant upvoted on a scale, assessing where Altria currently stands in relation to specific areas of focus and where they should aspire to be in the future. This interactive exercise provided a comprehensive overview, highlighting the areas with the most significant gaps between the current state and the desired future state.
-
![]()
Big Rocks Discussion
Considering the Mentimeter response, participants had a critical discussion focused on identifying the "big rocks" — the major obstacles that must be overcome to achieve success. For each obstacle, they meticulously outlined timelines for resolution, assessed the level of effort required, and assigned clear accountability to ensure progress.
Wrap-up
The two days of collaborative discussions, centered around exploring the art of the possible and delving into diverse business case studies, provided a tailored, informative experience for Altria. Armed with invaluable insights, they departed the workshop on a high note, with aligned priorities that will empower them to navigate the complexities of the future with confidence and clarity.
