Most organisations recognise that having a reputation for workplace excellence can help attract and retain top talent, bolster productivity and set them apart from the competition. Maintaining such a workplace and creating an environment in which employees feel genuinely appreciated and engaged, however, requires sustained effort and total commitment from the top down.
At this year’s Best Companies to Work For in Greater China awards, four companies – Autodesk, Hitachi Data Systems, National Instruments, NetApp – were singled out for special recognition for appearing on the list for five consecutive years, demonstrating their exceptional persistence and long-term commitment to their employees.
KC Chan, managing director, Greater China, at National Instruments (NI), says that being recognised for the fifth consecutive year is an indication of the high level of trust that has been forged between employees and the company. As part of NI China, Hongkong and Taiwan’s human resources mission to provide skills and career development, it works closely with business leaders to ensure its talent are channelled through well-structured Engineering Leadership Programmes (ELPs).
“ELPs are our recruiting machine to attract and hire the best and brightest talent who are given the opportunity to join accelerated development paths,” Chan says.
Featuring in-class, on-the-job training lasting two years, ELPs provide conduits to a choice of career paths, Chan adds. As a result, most of NI’s commercial and engineering leadership positions are filled from within and the employee turnover rate is 25 per cent below the markets in which the company operates.
Giving examples of innovative HR practices, Chan says every year, the HR department in NI China and Taiwan organises “Employee Apprecation Week”, involving a week-long series of “thank you” events. These include learning and growth activities, charity initiatives, competitions, literary activities, and interaction with management.
The company also provides a furnished nursing room for new mothers in its Shanghai office and organises roundtable events for female employees which allow them to explore their potential as engineers. Across the APAC region, between 20 and 30 per cent of mid- to senior level leadership positions at NI are held by females.
Chan adds that building engagement with employees at NI begins from the moment of recruitment with mentoring programmes, orientations and outward-bound events such as bonfire camps.
Staying competitive in China’s rapidly growing technology market is of utmost importance for companies operating in this sector and for NetApp Greater China, having employees that show an unwavering commitment to satisfying customers is essential.
Fredy Cheung, NetApp’s Greater China area vice-president, says the storage and data management provider focuses on teamwork and having fun while doing the job. These form an integral part of its unique company culture, designed to generate employee buy-in and engagement.
To further support employee engagement, Cheung says NetApp offers various wellness and leadership-enhancement programmes. “We offer development opportunities in an environment where individuals are encouraged to innovate and feel they are connected to the organisation’s future,” he explains.
For Hitachi Data Systems (HDS), there are several factors that enable the IT services and solutions provider to successfully attract and retain key talent, says Daniel Chong, vice president and general manager of HDS China and Taiwan. These include mutual trust between executives and employees, close cooperation across different teams and sectors, friendly and harmonious working environments, and a commitment to work-life balance.
“In China, 40 per cent of our employees have worked for HDS for more than five years, and about 12 per cent of them have been with us for more than a decade,” Chong highlights.
US-based software company Autodesk, which creates software for engineering, architectural and media companies, has managed to build a reputation for employee happiness to match the reputation of its products, explains Ling Zhao, head of R&D at Autodesk China.
“We’re extremely proud and honoured to be recognised as one of the best companies to work for in Greater China. It’s a huge recognition of our efforts in China to build up a great environment for our employees, while also showing the great confidence and trust Autodesk’s employees have in the company,” he says.
“We create an environment that inspires Autodesk employees to do their best, and we are dedicated to unleash every employee’s creativity to fulfil their potential. This recognition will continue to give us power and confidence to unite with our employees to lead the future of making things and help more people imagine, design and create a better world.”
This article appeared in the Classified Post print edition as Honouring persistence and perseverance.
