Q: What motivated Neochem International to commence operations in Sri Lanka?
A: As a marketer by profession, I noticed a tremendous void in the manufacturing industry over the last decade in terms of the absence of reliable technical solutions providers.

Agents faced burning issues due to a lack of innovation and technical solutions catering 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 to local manufacturers.

The need to become an integral part of Sri Lankans’ lives – i.e. 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: How does an organisation become a ‘great workplace’ – and how do stakeholders benefit from this?
A: A great workplace radiates a sense of belonging and makes staff members feel they’re a part of a wholesome family. It is a place where they feel valued, which prompts them to come in early and makes them reluctant to leave.

The freedom to express thoughts and opinions encourages innovative thinking. Constant reassurance that their opinions matter acts as a confidence booster.

And the encouragement to dream big and offering guidance to accomplish these dreams foster personal and professional development.

An open culture enriched with mutual trust and transparency among coworkers and the management should ensue to enable this level of freedom. This enables both parties to collectively work towards achieving individual and organisational goals.

These actions empower staff members to enhance their performance and contribute to organisational success.

Their success and achievements are met with appreciation and gratification. This is a stress free environment filled with ample opportunities to learn and develop, which creates a workplace that is mutually profitable for all stakeholders.

Q: What is the role of innovation and customer satisfaction when it comes to creating a robust workplace culture?
A: An innovative business continues to retain customer confidence and interest by creatively addressing their changing needs, which ensures satisfaction in turn.

Innovation encompasses every level of the organisation and should be an operative word that is used to define corporate goals.

Employees need to be offered the freedom and opportunity to put forward new innovative ideas with the senior management’s encouragement. These ideas and recommendations need to be accepted, appreciated, evaluated and implemented as a reward for their efforts.

We believe that the customer is our king. Content and satisfied customers will continue to patronise the business based on how they are treated. As a result, the customer base will gradually expand courtesy of referrals and word of mouth. Their loyalty eventually leads to exponential growth, paving the way for better employee benefits.

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

Q: In what ways can a culture of trust and transparency improve business?
A: Mutual trust between the management and subordinates leads to employee loyalty and a high level of confidence in the organisation.

The sense of security and belonging derived from this confidence creates a dedicated team that works hard for the organisation’s success with satisfaction.

Ensuring job protection, providing opportunities for career advancement, establishing means to learn and develop, offering the flexibility to innovate, being appreciative and granting rewards for improvements plant the seeds to create trust.

Transparency offers employees an unobstructed view of the factors that lead to organisational decisions, fostering trust among staff and policy makers. It contributes to the elimination of job related frustrations, determines their value to the growth and existence of the organisation, and helps employees to clearly define and recognise their future career paths.

Moreover, it creates a passionate team that contributes to the improvement of the business.

Q: What measures must companies implement to make the philosophy of a ‘great workplace for all’ a reality?
A: Employees are the driving force of an organisation.

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

Companies should look at every level of their hierarchies, and identify the main stakeholders and their individual performance parameters.

The absence of nepotism in the workplace will lead to the 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 employee.

 

INTERVIEWEE DETAILS
Chathura Piyasekara
Founder Chairman
Chief Executive Officer
COMPANY DETAILS
Telephone:2785469
Email:info@neochem.lk
Website:www.neochem.lk