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People who enjoy their work are more motivated, more productive and more reliable. That's why attractive jobs are not only sought after by applicants, but also by employers. IT service provider UMB seems to have found out what makes a really good workplace. In the latest employee survey by Great Place To Work, the company was named the best Swiss employer for the third time in a row and was ranked 6th out of more than 2,800 companies across Europe. This is a remarkable achievement in an environment where there is enormous competition for staff. We ask UMB CEO and owner Matthias Keller how this success can be explained.
What is the clearest difference between UMB and its competitors in terms of working atmosphere and corporate culture?
Matthias Keller: I can only speak for us and don't want to get involved in any comparisons with our competitors. Our great working atmosphere and our unique corporate culture are the result of our consistent efforts to constantly develop and improve. This has been our top strategic priority for over 10 years, and we focus on it and invest accordingly. Our clearly formulated and illustrated vision and our transparent strategy cockpit are central to this. Every colleague knows where we are heading and what their personal value contribution is to our joint success as a team.
Why do IT companies always do particularly well in this competition? Is it because there is a particularly intense competition for employees in this sector? Or is the IT industry simply ahead of its time when it comes to modern workplace culture?
Matthias Keller: There may well be reasons for this. There is an acute shortage of skilled workers in the Swiss ICT market; accordingly, ICT companies should take care of their colleagues. In addition to the efforts to create a good workplace culture, there is, in my view, a very central aspect in our industry. Name me a pilot who doesn't like flying or a professional athlete who doesn't like playing their sport. And name me a system engineer or a software developer who is not passionate about their engineering or development challenges. The vast majority of my colleagues do a job that they love. They have turned their hobby into a profession.
How do your personality and training affect the UMB culture and the working atmosphere?
Matthias Keller: You should actually be asking my colleagues this question. Nevertheless, I can make two points. Firstly, as we all know, the fish stinks from the head - or not. I try to lead by example in everything I ask of my colleagues and I very much hope that I succeed in doing so. Secondly, my career as a professional ice hockey player has made me a team player since the age of five and I am aware of the power of a truly functioning and motivated team that is committed to a common goal. I try to unleash this power in the UMB team every day. My experiences in team sports have shaped my personality more than my studies at the University of Zurich and Harvard Business School.
How have applicants and their expectations of employers changed in recent years?
Matthias Keller: Applicants are rightly aware that - provided they have the right mindset and the right skills - they can choose their employer. This awareness is even more pronounced today than it was a few years ago, and that's a good thing. Because when a new colleague chooses our team and stays with us for many years, we know that we are the winner and have been selected from many possible options.
What concrete benefits have the collaboration with Great Place To Work and the top rankings brought for UMB?
Matthias Keller: The perception of us as a great employer is increased - not only among our team and potential applicants, but also among our customers. I am often asked about this and feel that our customers also really appreciate working with a partner who cares about their colleagues. After all, the service business is a people business. Another great effect: once you've won once, as an athlete you do everything you can to do it again. Our multiple victories in Switzerland and top rankings on the European stage give us additional energy to keep asking ourselves how we can become an even better employer and an even better team.
To the profile of the Great Place To Work UMB
