By: Tammy Godby, Global Manager, Organizational Development | 05/12/2021 |

What does the next era look like at Percepta from the lens of Employee Engagement, Leadership Development, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion?

Excellent question! I am so glad you asked.

Feels like that title should come with a soundtrack – Star Trek or some grand orchestral SiFi opening.  It also creates a good visual for pushing beyond boundaries and limits – viewing the vast opportunities ahead and being willing to adapt to what the future might hold.

Let’s take a quick look at where we started, where we are now, and what the next era might look like for Percepta.

Past:
Employee Engagement

Historically, pizza during a meeting, donuts in the morning, balloons, or gift cards for birthdays.

Leadership Development

Read this book and tell me what you learned, or I’m sending you to a conference to learn how to be a good manager.  Leadership and management were lumped together and taught as one skill when really they are separate.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Sweep it under the rug. If you don’t talk about it, then others won’t either. Denial that DE&I is needed. Or, it’s been this way forever, why change?

Present:

Employee Engagement

Although we know that food is the great equalizer, it’s no longer an option in the work-from-home space or work on-site with social distancing. We decided to go to the source and ask the employees here at Percepta, what matters to them, what’s their personal currency, what is your motivation to come to work every day and do the best job you can? Through their feedback, we’ve added incentives, created programs, increased touchpoints to meet the requests.  What we’re finding is that although coffee and donuts are nice, what really matters is job impact and fulfillment. Knowing that the work they do matters beyond the paycheck and that they are appreciated and valued as people as well as the performance they provide.

Leadership Development

Over the past 12 months, we have developed a curriculum and training to skill up our leaders. New leaders into the organization as well as existing employees are offered training for emotional intelligence, communication, coaching, time management. Necessary skills that will empower them as leaders and reinforce Percepta Values.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Percepta is making intentional steps in this arena.  We are working to create a working space that encourages, empowers, and is fair.  Where all voices hold the same value, and we strive to be good humans to other humans.  Over the last few months, we have implemented an awareness workshop that helps us all better understand what Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are.  Why it’s important.  That being different is ok and to celebrate was makes us unique.  Percepta has also sponsored employees to gain DEI certifications so we are at the forefront of knowledge and best practices.

Future:

Employee Engagement

No surprise here…more. More impact, more fulfillment, more value.  We want our employees to stay, grow, and succeed.  We want to be part of the journey and help along the way.  So we’re committed to continually asking about what resonates with our employees and working to make it a reality.

Leadership Development

We’re already working next levels for leadership and career pathing.  Imagine coming into a company and seeing a roadmap of where you go, what you need to get there – what skills are required, who you need to contact to begin your journey.  We want to create an employee experience from the moment they begin interviewing throughout their entire career.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

There is so much opportunity in this area.  We will continue to work on creating a workspace that welcomes, supports, and celebrates diversity, equity, and inclusion across the globe.

What will all of these efforts look like in the next 5-10 years…

The short answer – it’s up to YOU, the employee, as to what the next era holds in employee engagement, leadership development and diversity, equity, and inclusion – because it’s not about just me, or just a few of us…it’s about all of us together. We can boldly go where no person has gone before…together.