By Cari Rutkoskie, VP of Communications
There is no substitute for spending time with employees.
Recently, Michelle Day, SVP of Talent, and I visited our Stockport and Taunton sites in the United Kingdom to meet with employees, tour operations and participate in discussions focused on understanding the employee experience.
The conversations included supervisors, managers, operators and individual contributors. While each group brought different perspectives, several themes emerged consistently.
Employees spoke proudly about their teams as well as their work and the impact they create. They also shared thoughtful feedback about communication and navigating change in a growing organization.
Those conversations reinforced an important principle: Listening matters most when it includes both strengths and opportunities.
Across every discussion, employees described supportive teams and strong relationships built in a culture where people genuinely help one another succeed. Many spoke about friendships formed over years of working together and trust that exists within their teams.
At the same time, employees expressed a desire for greater visibility into business priorities and more context around decisions so they can have a stronger connection between their day-to-day work and the company’s long-term direction.
Managers shared similar perspectives, highlighting the importance of creating clarity and maintaining engagement, helping employees understand not only what is changing, but why.
The conversations also reinforced the importance of purpose.
Whether developing manufacturing or supporting technologies used in medical and advanced manufacturing applications, employees want to understand how their work contributes to larger outcomes. They value being part of an organization whose technologies help customers solve complex challenges and improve lives around the world.
The visit provided opportunities to see that impact reflected in the expertise and capabilities of both sites. From Stockport’s role as a lighthouse site to Taunton’s rigorous safety and manufacturing practices, employees demonstrated a commitment to excellence that was evident throughout the visit.
Most importantly, the experience reinforced that innovation starts with people.
The talented employees across our global organization are the reason we can deliver precision technologies that help customers advance AI-driven robotics and automation, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, digital and AI-driven manufacturing, and precision medicine.
By continuing to listen, learn and act on what we hear, we can strengthen the employee experience while building an even stronger One Novanta for the future.