Thrive: The Ikea Mantra

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Giant Swedish retailer strives for shiny, happy workforce.

By Elspeth Cisneros

On a Tuesday afternoon at Ikea, R.E.M.’s 1991 hit song “Shiny Happy People” plays over store speakers, measuring an upbeat pace for workers and shoppers.

For Jerome Blazek, this could be Ikea’s employee anthem.

Blazek worked his way up from his first job with Ikea in customer service where he processed returns to his current position as a human resource manager at the West Sacramento location. He says the Swedish company encourages him to take advantage of an education and develop as an individual.

“For me it’s all about change and improvement,” says Blazek, sitting in a store conference room decorated with Ikea’s trademark blonde wood and primary-colored furniture. “That’s what keeps me going.”

After spending nearly four years at Wal-Mart in his home state of Illinois, Blazek started working toward a degree in English literature. Finding education more expensive than he could afford, he dropped out and applied at Ikea. “I was also getting a little bored with the English degree,” he adds.

Life in the Balance

Blazek sees a stark contrast between Wal-Mart and Ikea. “At Wal-Mart promotions were based more on the length of service,” he says. “Ikea is more about making sure there is a work-life balance.”

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