To know what creates positive workplace cultures in the Information Technology (IT) sector – look no further than the 2020 Great Places to Work study.
Despite this study being based on data collected before the Covid 19 Pandemic, it highlights many of the social and structural requirements that employees are looking for (and still looking for as we emerge from the covid-cloud) in a modern high-performance organisation.
Of the 55 companies listed as Australia’s Great Places to Work, 23 of them – that’s almost half who made the cut – were IT companies. These included the likes of Cisco Systems Australia, Salesforce Australia, SAP Australia, Canva, Adobe, and eBay to name a few.
For the full list of IT companies awarded – see the notes below, or download the study from https://greatplacetowork.com.au/
And it’s paying off. The study included survey results from 39,156 Australian employees from 124 companies. The top 25 companies with 100-999 employees demonstrated an average of 47% revenue growth. The top 25 with under 100 employees demonstrated a whopping 71% average revenue growth.
So what did “The Best” companies do to yield such outstanding results – both in revenue and engagement – during a global pandemic?
Increased communication…
The Best increased the transparency and frequency of communication, ramping up on company bulletins, senior leadership video updates, weekly town halls with live Q&A, and regular personalised calls made by managers and executives to employees to close the loop on individual questions or concerns.
Transitioning online …
Many workplaces transitioned online, but what set The Best apart was going that extra mile. They provided essential equipment – monitors, cables, keyboard and other items to ensure safe, efficient and ergonomic working environment at home. They redeployed under-utilised team members to vacant roles and took the opportunity to invest in L&D where teams needed to learn new skills. They fostered online social connections by adapting to platforms such as Slack, Hangout, Signal and video conferencing, and crafted compelling reasons to hang-out there.
Job security…
The Best provided clarity on the financial status of the organisation and reassurance that their employees’ jobs were safe. In some cases this meant adjusting salaries, offering leave without pay, or changing goals and targets to reflect the changing nature of the demand and supply on the business.
Health & Safety…
The Best put the health and safety of people at the forefront. This played out in myriad ways, with online seminars, buddy systems, ergonomic workstation checks, online PT and yoga sessions, ERP programs, and care packages sent to homes just some examples listed.
Return to office plans….
As Australia returned to work post COVID, The Best have consulted with their employees via conversations, focus group and surveys to find solutions that balance individual and business needs. Some companies have provided ‘welcome back packs’ and guidance on how to navigate working in the new hybrid environment.
What does this tell us about the IT industry in Australia?
Taking a strategic approach to managing the culture is as necessary as taking a strategic approach to managing the business. A culture plan is as important as a business plan. Engagement is as important as Revenue.
Culture drives engagement and ignites passion for your purpose.
That’s why a well-defined culture plan – a plan that outlines your approach to driving engagement and supporting the wellbeing of your people – is a hallmark of great places to work.
Many businesses aspire to be an Employer of Choice or a Great Place to Work. It’s often listed as a target on business plans. Those who gain these accolades don’t get there by accident. They create and execute plans for culture in an ongoing and systematic way.
Notes:
IT companies who made the lists in the 2020 Great Places to Work Australia Study.
Over 1000 employees (3 of Top 5 are IT companies)
#1 Cisco systems Australia
# 2 Salesforce Australia
# 3 SAP Australia
100-999 employees (13 of Top 25 are IT companies)
#1 – Interactive
#3- Canva
#4 – Safety culture
#6 – Insight
# 8 – Nintex
#9 – Mantel Group
#11 – Intuit
#12 – Kronos
#13 – Adobe
#15 – Service Now
#19 – SAS
#20 – AC3
#24 – Infotrack
Under 100 (7 of Top 25 are IT companies)
# 2 – insentra
#5 – Log Mein Australia
#6 – eBay Australia
#10 – Sentrain
#13 – Macquarie Cloud Services
#18 – Big Commerce
#19 – Ansarada
In the Information Technology Sector? Join me for my free online events on Culture, Leadership and Strategy specifically in the IT sector.
Register here: CREATE ALIGNMENT with a system for Strategy – Weds 9 June – 1:30pm-2:30pm AEST
Register here: INSPIRE HIGH PERFORMANCE with a system for Leadership – Weds 14 July – 1:30pm-2:30pm AEST
Register here: AMPLIFY CULTURE with a system for Culture.- Weds 11 Aug – 1:30pm-2:30pm AEST