Work Culture

Striving for all-round development

By applying thoughts and having fine- tuned the science of innovation, Wipro Technologies has always tried to infuse newer ideas into the workplace, thus driving a dynamic change, writes Nikita Upadhyay

Spirit of Wipro Technologies is unique when compared to other organizations. Its core form the common fabric weaving each Wiproite together. They comprise intensity to win, acting with sensitivity and unyielding integrity.

Intensity to win speaks about team work, excellence and innovation while working towards customer success. Acting with sensitivity focuses on being thoughtful and responsible and giving respect to every individual. Unyielding integrity underlies an age-old value of Wipro—that there isn’t a concept of grey; that honesty and fairness in action and delivery on commitments is the key.

The value system of the organization and its people processes form a strong foundation. Being the first PCMM (People Capability Maturity Model) Level 5 company, it aspires to be a leader with innovative people practices.

Recruitment and training

The organization has adopted an e-recruitment model that allows all stakeholders, whether suppliers, partners or aspirants, to log on to a single site for a customized recruitment update. A robust selection process with a selection of ratio of less than one percent ensures that best-in-class talent comes aboard. A strong campus ranking allows it to pick up new entrants who will eventually be the leaders of tomorrow.

“People are our greatest assets and they come first. This sentence is more than an adage for us. Training includes imparting information on Knowledge Management methodologies, corporate varsity, etc. Wipro’s virtual campus is accessible 24/7 by any employee across the globe providing learning options that are not only flexible, but also customizable and need based,” stated Sunita Rebecca Cherian, General Manager, Talent Engagement and Development, Wipro Technologies.

Learning is of prime importance for the company, whether it is in-house, outsourced, certification or varsity based. Knowledge Management in the organization is a way of life that serves as a pulpit for collaboration, innovation and sharing of best practices. Buddy system being adopted in the respective business units essentially helps the new employees to settle in and feel a part of the system as quickly as possible.

Building blocks

“We not only groom the technical talents but also bring out the leader in our employees. Our leadership program gears them up to take on the challenge to successfully head large and strong teams,” opined Cherian. It is designed to identify specific actions and attitudes that constitute the company’s leadership qualities.

It examines how each manager fares against these qualities, provides an understanding of how the required skills and competencies can be developed and plans what each individual can do to strengthen his or her leadership qualities. Ample training and learning opportunities as well as commitment to customer service makes Wiproites proud of the organization. The Wipro talent review and planning exercise anchors leaders and top talent identification.

Leadership development in the company focuses on four key aspects—technology, business, behavior and cultural orientation. Specific programmes for specific roles along with leader identification ensures that the right individuals are trained to take on the leadership mantle. A coaching framework allows larger groups to develop and imbibe the coach’s inputs.

People involvement

Large employee base can be one of the reasons that unnerve the new entrants. The structure of the organization makes it possible for the formation of sub-committees within a unit which involves employees in the decision-making process. Frequent interaction with the leadership team also gives them a lot of thrust in making the right decisions and to also appreciate the rationale behind a host of decisions that are taken.

Wipro believes in an open culture that cuts across hierarchies. Frequent communication forums, be it a plan communication, all-hands meeting or newsletters, keep their employees abreast of business and other organizational updates. “Channel W—our exclusive intranet, not only allows individual expression in the blog form of online forum, but also serves as a place to meet, apart from being a guide providing frequent updates,” informed Cherian.

Interest groups focusing on extra-curricular activities provide forums for Wiproites with similar interests to meet. A formalized ‘Meet Your People Program’ ensures regular touch-time and engagement throughout the year. Fun and social events provide a sense of bonding year around while reward framework builds an appreciative culture.

Charting a career path

The organization is built on people; hence it is focused on people centric matters. The organizational spread provides a wide framework for multiple career opportunities and unhindered growth.

The opportunity to service some of the biggest companies worldwide on the latest technologies and the global exposure go a long way in helping the employees build their dream career. Career framework provides three paths—technical, managerial and functional, to the aspirants. An empowered and transparent internal job posting system called ‘Wings Within’ allows seamless movement across geographies, technologies, domains, roles, etc.

As the employees scale newer peaks of achievements, they are furnished with benefits in the form of incentives, rewards and recognition. The challenges they encounter, motivates them to accomplish greater feats. A person with less than one year’s work experience, works as a developer for the first couple of projects. After the initial stint as a developer, one moves to the role of a module leader. It is at this point that one decides to choose between a technical, consulting or business development path and gain expertise that helps them to prepare for the divergence ahead.

With experience, an employee moves to the role of a project manager. Based on the performance and experience, they then progress towards the role of a business manager. Later, one can aspire to head any of the SBUs (Strategic Business Units). At every step of the growth they learn something new and acquire for themselves a credential that would prepare them for the next position. At every stage their competencies are monitored and suitable responsibilities entrusted.

Continuous learning

The organization believes in individual growth and overall development. Potential is recognized and opportunities for further learning are provided. Its training programs are on par with elite universities and every year a large number of fresh graduates are galvanized to become professionals in their chosen fields.

“Wipro Academy of Software Excellence (WASE), is aimed at preparing Bachelor of Science students for the applications programming environment. The course equips fresh graduates with necessary skills to work in applications in a growing software company, instilling the need for a quality process,” explained Cherian.

The program registers every student for an eight semester MS course with the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS-Pilani).

On successful completion of the semesters, candidates get to work on live projects thus giving them practical exposure. Virtual Campus—a web-based learning initiative integrates multimedia, instructor led and real-time learning techniques into a facilitated, collaborative learning environment.

It runs with an objective to build a vast learning community on the net. The facility of ‘Training on demand’ enables individuals to be in complete charge of one’s own learning experience. It is available for the entire base of employees and addresses the ever-changing training needs.

The family focus

The company not only encourages a balanced work-life through its flexible work practices but also gives a lot of importance to its extended family. Policies like extended maternity leave, telecommuting, and adoption leave help employees to take time off with their family at times of need.

Forums like ‘Kids@Wipro’ allows children of employees to get together periodically for events, learning and activities while the organization’s Crèche takes cares of the needs of working parents. It not only allows the kids to showcase their talent but also helps build new relationships.

Employee surveys

The company keenly promotes an open culture that encourages feedback. It actively responds to and acts on inputs of employees, for continuous improvement of people, practices and processes. ‘Think Wipro—Find its strengths,’ is a survey aimed at identifying its strengths.

A competency based framework anchors its performance management philosophy. Importance is given to performance on the job and potential vis-à-vis education and experience. A firm believer in using feedback mechanisms to develop individuals, evaluation is using not only an appraisal form but also skip meetings, and an annual Wipro Leaders Quality Survey that ensures a 360 degree feedback.

HR practices

The organization believes in providing opportunities and facilities that help every employee to excel at work and also develop and find time for other skills that are of prime importance. The campus and infrastructure keeps in mind the need to unwind—be it a café, gym, sports grounds, courts or a sprawling cafeteria, they cater to different palettes.

Facilities like ATMs, dormitories, doctor on premises, medical check ups, yoga classes, provision store, key branded shops and well-knit company transportation meet the basic needs of the employees. A strong employee-trained emergency response team takes charge during times of emergencies while an exclusive concierge desk allows individuals the ability to focus on their priorities while their errands, bills, pending personal tasks are taken care of.

The Ombuds process provides an opportunity for any employee with an ethical dilemma to engage with specified senior management personnel. ‘MITR’ is the people counseling cell that helps employees deal with personal or professional problems which directly or indirectly affects them. 

Stock options allow a select cadre of Wiproites to share ownership. P-Square, an engagement tool provides the pulse of the individual while highlighting their concern areas.

Beyond work

“We strongly believe in giving back to society what we owe it. Our service doesn’t stop at providing charity. We have faith in human effort and we believe that it is not just what you do, but how you go about doing it,” echoed Cherian. ‘Wipro Cares’ brings together individuals with a common aim to serve society and contribute towards a cause. Employees are the lifeblood of the organization and the company inculcates a sense of service within all teams.

Its aim is to harness strength to contribute towards the upliftment of the downtrodden in the society. It is an initiative by Wiproites, their family members and friends, to contribute in the areas of education, community and social development. Another key focus is ecological sustainability—the recent launch being ‘Women of Wipro,’ influencing a greener world. The organization also has a larger focus towards developing primary education across India through the Azim Premji Foundation.

nikita.upadhyay@expressindia.com