Neochem: Truly a great place to work with a great team

Following are excerpts of an interview with Neochem Group of Companies MD Chathura Piyasekara

Q: What has been Neochem International’s inspiration to commence operations in Sri Lanka?

 As a marketer by profession, I noticed a tremendous void in the manufacturing industry during the last decade in terms of an absence of reliable technical solutions providers. Existing agents faced burning issues due to a lack in innovation, and technical solutions to cater to their prevailing issues. An innovative mindset and a novel approach were required to address this unique challenge. It was my goal to bridge the lacuna by implementing a distinctive business approach of supplying technical product solutions for local manufacturers.

The necessity to become an integral part of the lives of Sri Lankans; to touch their lives through safe and healthy products that are used on a daily basis, and enhance their quality of life by playing a crucial background role was another inspiration to launch this venture.

Q: What are the main components of a ‘great workplace,’ in your opinion?

 A great workplace radiates a sense of belonging, and makes the staff feel as if they are a part of a wholesome family. It is a place that they feel valued, and that induces early attendance and reluctance to leave.

The freedom to express thoughts and opinions encourages innovative thinking. Constant reassurance that their opinions matter acts as a confidence boost. The encouragement to dream big and offering guidance to accomplish these dreams aids in personal and professional development.

An open culture enriched with mutual trust and transparency among co-workers and the management should ensue to allow this level of freedom. It further enables each party to collectively work towards achieving individual and organisational goals. These actions empower the staff to enhance their performance, and to contribute to organisational success.

Their success and achievements are met with appreciation and gratification. This is a stress free work environment filled with ample opportunities to learn and develop that leads to the creation of a workplace that is mutually profitable for all stakeholders.

Q: How does innovation and customer satisfaction make for a robust workplace culture?

An innovative business continues to retain the customer confidence and interest by creatively addressing their changing needs and that in return ensures customer satisfaction.

Innovation encompasses every level of the organisation, and it should be an operative word that is used to define corporate goals. Employees need to be given the freedom and opportunity to come up with new innovative ideas with the encouragement of the senior management. These ideas and recommendations need to be accepted, appreciated, evaluated, and implemented as a reward to their effort.

We believe that the customer is our king. A content and well satisfied customer will retain according to the way that they are treated. The customer base will gradually expand courtesy of referrals and word of mouth. Their loyalty eventually leads to exponential growth, and that paves the way to better benefits for employees.

This understanding enables employees to recognise the importance of improving customer satisfaction, and will be motivated to work eagerly towards achieving this goal. When a workplace culture is focused on enhancing customer satisfaction, it leads to better teamwork and a robust result oriented work culture.

Q: In what ways can a culture of trust and transparency improve business?

Mutual trust between the management and subordinates leads to employee loyalty and a high level of confidence towards the organisation. The sense of security and belonging that is derived from this confidence creates a dedicated team who work hard towards the success of the organisation with satisfaction.

Ensuring job protection, providing opportunities for career advancement, establishing means to learn and develop, flexibility to innovate, giving appreciation and due rewards for improvements plants the seeds towards the creation of trust.

Transparency gives employees an unobstructed view of the factors that lead towards organisational decisions, and that fosters trust among employees and the policy makers. It contributes towards the elimination of job related frustrations, determines their value to the growth and existence of the organisation, and aids employees to clearly define and recognise their future career paths. It creates a passionate team who contributes to the improvement of the business.

Q: How can companies practice the philosophy of creating a ‘great workplace for all’?

 Employees are the driving force of an organisation.

Focusing on creating means for employees to perform better as individuals derives greater results than concentrating on implementing policies to increase overall organisational performance. The collective contribution of every individual performance creates a ripple effect.

Companies should look into every level of the hierarchy and identify the main stakeholders and their individual performance parameters. The absence of nepotism in the workplace will lead to the healthy development of trust and confidence. Giving credit where it is due and creating equal opportunities regardless of gender or social status nurtures a great workplace for every single employee.