📋 Written Ability Test (WAT) Analysis Guide
🌟 Topic: Should Companies Adopt a “People-First” Mentality?
🌐 Understanding the Topic’s Importance
Companies are increasingly judged not only on profits but also on their impact on employees. Adopting a people-first mentality connects business growth with improved employee satisfaction, aligning financial sustainability with ethical corporate behavior.
📝 Effective Planning and Writing
- Time Allocation (30 minutes):
- ⏳ Planning: 5 minutes
- ✍️ Writing: 20 minutes
- 🔍 Review: 5 minutes
💡 Introduction Techniques
- Contrast Approach: “While companies chase profits, evidence shows that prioritizing employee satisfaction can drive greater productivity, retention, and ultimately, profitability.”
- Statistic Approach: “Research by Gallup (2023) shows that companies with highly engaged employees achieve 21% higher profitability, proving the value of a people-first mentality.”
📂 Structuring the Essay Body
1. Achievements of People-First Policies
- Evidence: Companies with engaged employees achieve 21% higher profits and improved retention (e.g., Netflix, Salesforce).
- Example: Salesforce’s success with mental health and family care initiatives.
- Impact: Stronger employer branding and lower turnover costs.
2. Challenges Faced by Companies
- Evidence: Initial high costs and delayed ROI.
- Example: Small businesses struggling with budgets for employee well-being.
- Impact: Short-term financial strain for companies with limited resources.
3. Balancing Profitability and Employee Needs
- Aligning well-being policies with measurable KPIs ensures sustainable growth.
✔️ Concluding Effectively
- Balanced Conclusion: “Adopting a people-first mentality drives long-term growth, but companies must integrate these policies carefully to maintain financial sustainability.”
- Global Comparison: “Countries like Denmark have shown that prioritizing employees can coexist with economic growth, offering a model for global businesses.”
📊 Analyzing Successes and Shortcomings
- Key Achievements: Improved retention, productivity, and brand image.
- Ongoing Challenges: Budgetary constraints, cultural resistance, and profitability pressures.
- Global Context: Denmark’s success with worker welfare and business growth models.
📈 Recommendations for Sustainable Progress
- Adopt hybrid models integrating well-being initiatives without compromising financial goals.
- Measure outcomes using KPIs to assess the success of people-first policies.
- Phased implementation starting small and scaling employee initiatives as profitability improves.
✍️ Sample Short Essays
1. Balanced Perspective
“While people-first policies enhance productivity and loyalty, businesses must align them with financial goals for sustainability.”
2. Solution-Oriented Approach
“Adopting phased well-being programs with measurable KPIs can help companies prioritize employees while sustaining profits.”
3. Global Comparison Approach
“Denmark’s flexicurity model demonstrates that people-first policies can foster growth and employee satisfaction, a lesson for global companies.”