A fascinating experience to meet the HR Director of NetApp
who gave her insights about the work-culture of NetApp. Values are important
for NetApp that celebrates 25 years of providing data management services
globally this year. In a world transformed by digital technology, data in silos
simply does not work. We need fast insights, seamless access, and the peace of
mind of knowing that data is protected and within control. NetApp delivers the
data management solutions that help unleash the full potential of data. With NetApp celebrating its 25th Anniversary, here is what
Ms. Sonali De Sarker, Director - Human Resources, has to say about the culture
that drives the data management company.
Old by Tech Standards
- Young as a Culture.
Sonali says that values are important, more so when it is
between employees and organization. The company and its founders have still managed
to retain the culture. While, a quarter century in business is considered old
according to tech industry, NetApp has managed to stay relevant to the changing
dynamics in the IT space, globally. Employees are considered central to the
business continuity and valued for the growth of the organization.
Citing an example of this culture, the HR-Head quoted that
during a transformation phase and shifting of office location from the CBD in
Bangalore, discussions with employees were held to understand the areas of
concern and the same were addressed through a list of initiatives of subsidized
food and commute facilities, and housing related support among others.
Ambassadors and
Change Agents
During the transition phase, ambassadors and change agents
from within the employee group were identified who would provide insights on
the pulse of the work environment. They would liaison between the leadership
and the employee base of the company. This helped the Leadership team to
understand the employee requirements and address those issues better and
faster. Changes were made to processes and policies based on those inputs and this
in turn helped to empower the larger base of employees further.
Community Development
at NetApp
Community Development and NGO participation is promoted by
NetApp which assists its employees to volunteer a social cause - Hunger,
Sanitation, Education - based on their interest and choice. Any employee can
avail this 5-day/year, fully-paid, often company sponsored initiative, as their
volunteering option. The geography of this volunteering is not limited to India
and there have been cases of social causes addressed in Africa, Nepal and more.
Fitness as a Growth
enabler
NetApp had introduced in-house gym and aerobics facilities
to its employees much before they became a standard in the industry. This was
in line with their intent to provide the best work environment to its
employees. Employee feedback around the Tennis
Court being used in the wee hours of the night by night shift employees is something that validates
the utilization of the facilities by employees in all shifts.
Every year is
different
Sonali mentions that this being her 9th year
at NetApp, every year has been distinctly different both from a learning and
impact standpoint. With technology changing rapidly, the company has also
witnessed a rapidly changing and dynamic ecosystem These changes together with
a multi – generational workforce has resulted in new programs and initiatives
for employees.
An ecosystem of trust
With NetApp’s culture playing a pivotal role in the
organization, some employees even go to the extent of saying that the culture
is ‘very addictive’. This makes It imperative for new employees to understand
and imbibe the core values of NetApp and become a part of its cultural
fabric. The assimilation program plays a
key role in assimilating employees into NetApp. The New Manager Assimilation
Program helps new Managers assimilate into both NetApp and into their new roles. In the process, new Managers receive inputs
from their teams on what works and what doesn’t. Most importantly it gets an
open dialogue started between the manager and his teams.
As a company evolves over time, sometimes some aspects of
the culture become more important than others. There was a NetApp wide global
initiative that took place some years ago where employees were asked to focus
on some aspects of the culture more than others. This helped the company transform
and globally focus on specific aspects of NetApp’s culture
The NetApp culture is one of trust. The trust in the system
is high because of the continuous communication between leaders, managers and
employees.
AI - Not to Fear
The HR Director feels that there is no fear among its
employees because of the onslaught of AI/ML technologies. She also feels that jobs
have always been morphed into different roles according to the changing
dynamics - Industrial era to Computers to AI.
Watch this space for more pathbreakers. If you would like to
be featured in “joyful-workplaces” blog, do feel free to write to us. Our
editorial team would be happy to get in touch. Write to us
joyworkshop@hasovan.com
Catch the work-place philosophy of NetApp in the book “Erupt
with Joy” by Savitha Hosamane.
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