1 Which aspects of the approach at John Lewis might be exported to companies with different business models?

The John Lewis Partnership is a well-
known retailer in the UK. Staff are partners in the organisation which does not have external shareholders. ‘There’s a danger when we talk about partners that people think it’s all about brotherhood and apple pie, but we’re a commercial business’ (Tracey Killen, Personnel Director, cited in Faragher, 2007). The partnership approach means that there is extensive consultation with partners. According to Killen this is an advantage when compared with traditional company ownership structures because, although it can take a little time to consider the views of partners, the company is not driven by the short-
termism that typifies many shareholder structures. ‘It’s always going to be 100 per cent important to be regarded as a good employer by those who work here, so we should be most focused on how we’re perceived internally. Our most important audience is our internal one’ (Tracey Killen, cited in Faragher, 2007).