Case study- Strengthening Subsea7’s Behavioural Framework - for Global Diversity Practice

Subsea7 is an engineering construction and services company that delivers offshore projects and services for the energy industry. Headquartered in London and operating in over 30 countries worldwide, it makes offshore energy transition possible through the continuous evolution of lower-carbon oil and gas and by enabling the growth of renewables and emerging energy. 

Subsea7 is committed to fostering a workplace culture that values inclusivity and collaboration across its diverse workforce. With operations spanning across the globe, the organisation recognised the need for a framework that would unify its employees under shared values and foster consistent inclusive behaviours among its teams. 

To accomplish this, Subsea7 commissioned Global Diversity Practice (GDP) to design and develop a values-driven behavioural framework tailored to their unique organisational structure and diverse workforce. This framework had to be universally applicable and culturally transcendent with the motive to promote inclusivity across all levels and regions and enable Subsea7’s values to be at the core of its culture regardless of geographical or cultural context.

Key Deliverables

Our focus was to develop a values-driven behavioural framework that engaged the leadership and employees of Subsea7 across multiple regions and functions, both onshore and offshore. To achieve this objective, we adopted a comprehensive, multi-step approach, collaborating closely with the organisation’s leadership and various stakeholders to ensure the framework aligned with their operational and cultural requirements.

Conducted Consultations and Needs Assessments

Our work began with in-depth consultations to thoroughly understand Subsea7’s unique needs for a behavioural framework. These consultations involved discussions with key stakeholders, executive leadership and HR leadership, as well as with employees - both offshore and onshore, and allowed us to gauge their expectations and requirements. This gave us an opportunity to identify how the organisation’s values could be reflected in their daily behaviours. Insights from across the organisation helped us gain a deeper understanding of the requirements, challenges, and opportunities involved in creating a unified yet adaptable framework.

We reviewed the existing resources, including familiarisation documents, DEI goals, and cultural benchmarks that Subsea7 already had in place. This allowed us to identify gaps and pinpoint the areas for improvement. 

To understand the organisational nuances, we gathered insights about how Subsea7 operated across different functions and fronts and identified the various cultural and operational factors that could help us shape the behavioural framework. 

Applied Robust Thematic Analysis and Inclusive Design Principles

We then conducted a thematic analysis to identify the core themes necessary to underpin the DEI goals of Subsea7 and distil them into specific behaviours that were both meaningful and actionable. By employing inclusive and accessible design principles, we created a framework that was simple, universally applicable, and accessible to all. We used simple and straightforward language to make the framework easy to understand for all employees, regardless of background or role.

In addition, we made sure it was also culturally transcendent. Recognising the diversity within Subsea7’s workforce, we developed behaviours that would be relevant across different cultures, promoting a sense of shared purpose within the company. 

Developed a Values-Driven Behavioural Framework

With a thorough understanding of the organisational needs of Subsea7, we developed a comprehensive values-driven behavioural framework designed to make DEI principles relevant and actionable for all members of their diverse workforce. This framework weaved and encouraged the practice of conscious inclusion in all interactions and intended to promote an inclusive mindset across various levels of the organisation. Our focus on practical and universally applicable behaviours enabled us to ensure that leaders, managers, and frontline teams could all integrate these principles into their daily roles with ease. Once finalised, the framework was handed over to Subsea7 for internal launch and implementation, providing a solid foundation for cultivating an inclusive culture from the top down.

Tested and Refined the Framework with Stakeholders

As part of our commitment to collaborative development, we conducted multiple feedback sessions with key stakeholders from different departments, roles, and regions after developing the initial version of the framework. This provided us with valuable insights into how well the framework aligned with Subsea7’s operations and how to make it more relevant.

Based on the feedback received, we iterated and refined the framework, ensuring that it aligned with the strategic goals of the company and its cultural context. This iterative process ensured that the framework not only aligned with Subsea7’s values but was also adaptable to their operational nuances, making it a dynamic and practical tool for driving inclusive behaviours.

Impact

Through this collaborative approach, GDP helped Subsea7 launch a values-driven behavioural framework that was globally relevant, actionable, and inclusive. The framework provided the company’s workforce with practical guidelines for demonstrating inclusive behaviours, fostering a culture where DEI became a shared responsibility at all levels of the organisation.

The framework helped standardise inclusive practices, ensuring employees across regions demonstrated behaviours that aligned with the DEI principles. By fostering a culture of shared values, GDP helped strengthen team cohesion at Subsea7 and enabled better collaboration across cultural and functional divides. 

Being culturally transcendent, the framework stands scalable for future growth. It can evolve alongside Subsea7 as the company expands, ensuring that DEI remains a central focus in its future. Our work with Subsea7 exemplified how tailored DEI frameworks can bring values to life, creating a lasting impact that benefits individuals, teams, and the organisation as a whole.