Carin S. Knickel, Vice President, Human Resources

Human Resources
Building on Our Commitment to People

Building momentum takes talented, passionate people capable of recognizing and capturing opportunities that help the company succeed. “People are the lifeblood of ConocoPhillips,” says Carin Knickel, vice president of Human Resources. “Our commitment to people — and the heart of our people strategy — is creating the highest-performing environment where people and businesses thrive.”

Enabling People to See the Difference They Make
Employees want to know how to enable the company to succeed. ConocoPhillips recognizes the importance of connecting individuals to the company’s strategy.

“Around the globe, ConocoPhillips leaders meet face-to-face with employees to build a shared understanding of how everyone contributes to helping the company achieve success,” says Knickel. “A companywide focus on strategic objectives keeps employees engaged.”

Developing People for Success
“The company’s talent management philosophy extends from new employees to executives,” explains Knickel, “ensuring employees have the right talent, skills and experience to be successful.”

The SPIRIT Scholars program provides mentoring and scholarships to attract top talent to the company. After joining the company, employees engage in performance management processes to chart their growth and accomplishments in concert with the businesses. In one-on-one sessions, employees and managers craft their goals in alignment with business strategy, ensuring that everyone pulls in the right direction.

Human Resources professionals Maria Jimenez, Tom Burley, Chris Nguyen and Tanya Kimbrough Smith transform talent management strategies into tangible opportunities for employee development and growth for ConocoPhillips people worldwide.

Rewarding Performance
At ConocoPhillips, when the company succeeds, employees benefit. The annual Variable Cash Incentive Program (VCIP) rewards employees when the company and their businesses reach specific performance and safety targets. The SPIRIT of Performance Awards and the special recognition program reward and celebrate individual and team achievements.  

Says Knickel, “Our reward programs are linked closely to performance, enabling the company to recognize, reward and retain talented professionals integral to our success. We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package — including health-related benefits and programs that encourage healthful living while adding to the wealth and well-being of employees. Together, these programs motivate people who consistently deliver results.”

People-Driven Core Values
ConocoPhillips’ core values — Safety, People, Integrity, Responsibility, Innovation and Teamwork, reflect the company’s spirit and culture. “In particular, the People component of our SPIRIT values encompasses a diversity of heritages, experiences and ways of thinking,” adds Knickel. “Our value for people extends beyond the workplace into communities where employees participate in volunteer outreach activities. ConocoPhillips’ support of local cultures and communities strengthen the company’s reputation as a business partner of choice around the world.”

Listening to Employees
ConocoPhillips listens to and values employees’ opinions. The 2003 worldwide employee opinion survey returned a 74 percent participation rate, laying the groundwork for ongoing communication around performance and strategy. 

Says Knickel, “We take employee feedback to heart and act upon it, such as holding leaders accountable to communicate with their employees more frequently and equipping them to do so. It’s through our commitment to people that ConocoPhillips maintains a fast-paced, winning environment that leads to business success.”