Driving Change and Cultivating a Special Workplace

Michael Fischer is an accomplished professional serving as the Vice President of Global Talent Management at Sysco. With a wealth of expertise in people development processes and practices, he has played a pivotal role in driving enhanced business results through effective leadership and organizational development.

Please give our readers a brief overview of your journey in the industry and the roles and responsibilities you have on a daily basis in your current organization.

I have built a career focused on developing talent and organization development functions that help individuals, teams and companies grow through innovative and practical solutions. On a daily basis, my current role involves various responsibilities and initiatives.. For instance, my team and I work on enhancing leadership capabilities within the company and expanding our overall leadership capacity to enable company growth. Additionally, we are developing a new change management methodology specific to Sysco, aiming to improve our ability to implement changes efficiently and flawlessly. Another area of focus is implementing a talent flywheel, which involves improving our performance management processes, providing effective coaching and feedback, and aligning employees' goals with Sysco's business objectives. We also have embedded robust talent review and succession planning processes to identify top talent and invest in their growth and development. Furthermore, we are continuously striving to foster a learning culture where learning is seamlessly integrated into the workflow, offering both microlearning opportunities and comprehensive instructor-led sessions. Exploring the use of technology to enhance our learning initiatives is another aspect of my role. Each day presents new challenges and experiences, making this journey in the industry incredibly fulfilling.

What are the challenges that the industry is facing?

The Foodservice Distribution industry, like so many others, is facing a number of significant challenges. The competitive job market makes it difficult to attract and retain top talent. Today, competitive salaries and benefits are tables takes, to attract and retain great talent companies need to create an value proposition where employees are encouraged to grow their skills for career advancement, and where companies are purpose-driven and have a POV  (point of view) on social justice issues.

Our goal is to create an environment where performance and collaboration thrive and people readily help one another, making Sysco a special place to work.

As companies grow, they need to develop leaders who can take on new roles and responsibilities. This requires investing in training and development programs. Companies need to create a workplace where everyone feels welcome and respected. This requires creating policies and practices that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. The pace of technological change is constantly accelerating, companies need to invest in learning and development programs to ensure that their employees have the skills they need to succeed in the digital age.

Please tell our readers about any recent project initiatives you have been a part of.

Recently, I have been involved in many project initiatives. One key focus is leadership development, with two new programs: the Transformational Leadership Development (XLD) program for P&L leaders, helping them navigate and make sense of our complex environment and the High Potential Leadership Development (HLD) program for future functional executive leaders. Another area of focus is embedding our purpose and culture throughout the company. Additionally, we are investing in the growth of our supervisors in our warehouse selection and delivery teams, creating inclusive environments where every team member feels valued.The Sysco purpose is “connecting the world to share food and care for one another”, and we strive to live this every daythrough various practices and programs supporting ending hunger, encouraging employee volunteering, and the many ways we care for our employees, customers and supplier partners.. Lastly, our culture sets us apart, characterized by humility, inclusiveness, teamwork, and responsible growth. We are dedicated to fostering this culture company-wide, ensuring all 71,000+colleaguesacross our 300+ global sites feel included and supported. Our goal is to create an environment where performance and collaboration thrive and people readily help one another, making Sysco a special place to work.

What will be your advice to your peers in the industry?

Firstly, establish a strong external network for continuous outside-in learning and growth. Seek expertise beyond your circle to stay ahead. Secondly, prioritize self-care. Maintain physical, psychological, and mental well-being. When you're at your best, you excel in your work. Thirdly, embrace innovation. Leverage creativity and advancements like AI and digital platforms to keep it simple and drive impact. Be open to new solutions. Lastly, always consider employees and customers. By adding value to them, you secure your future relevance. Focus on creating value and meeting customer needs for long-term success.