The phychometric testing programme aims to build communication between colleagues at Grey Worldwide at a time when manpower is short, timelines are tight and client expectations are increasingly high.
Marthan Collard, HR director for Asia at Grey Worldwide, said a team-building workshop using the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) was put into practice at the agency's Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand offices.
Collard said Grey's staff went through a series of exercises to identify their personality type, which included distinguishing whether the person was an extrovert or an introvert.
"The thing to remember is that there are no right or wrong answers in this test, said Collard. "The report will give you an insight into how you're likely to react to stress, how you interact with people and so on. Everyone is different and that is something that is really taken into account with this programme."
The agency implemented a similar one-day workshop in Kuala Lumpur using the system for P&G's Pantene division in an effort to bolster its relationship with the client.
"We did a workshop with a major client - P&G - with the regional heads who wanted to better the agency client relationship. I think it was a really great experience for both sides and you could see the penny dropping as people around the room went, 'ah, that's why so and so is like that'.
It helped people understand what was happening on the other side, said Collard.
She added the method was also an effective managerial tool, and could ultimately aid in stress management.
"As a manager, whether it's regional or local, you have to understand the individuals in your team, for example, who can manage work loads and who may need help managing time. There is often the impression that people at the top are confident, extroverts and so on. This is not the case.
I can tell you I have met many managers who are really introverted and through this learning it will give their peers an understanding of who they are."
Collard will implement the psychometric system at Grey's India, Australia and New Zealand offices in June.
