Himanshi joined Quark three years ago this month, leading a team that creates and implements an inclusive workplace culture that promotes diversity among employees and leaders across the organization.
A firm believer that communication and the people within the company motivate individuals to adapt to change and perform to their highest ability, Himanshi knows the people experience is not just about getting the job done, but knowing how your employees are feeling while doing their jobs.
She is an MBA graduate in HR and operations with nearly a decade of experience in various domains of HR, including business partnership, operations, learning and development. At Quark, Himanshi taps this broad landscape of expertise – anchored by her communications and people skills – to implement employee engagement programs and practices that foster an inclusive workplace culture that is transparent and empowers every employee to do their best work.
We recently sat down with Himanshi to learn more about how to create a positive workplace culture, what motivates people and how Quark is committed to the people experience.
What’s the most important factor in ensuring an excellent people experience?
Your company culture is integral to defining “who you are as a company and what you believe in”. It is a key factor in attracting top talent and fueling organizational growth. The only way to have an accurate “pulse” on your people is to regularly engage with them. For example, having awareness that morale is down is an opportunity to uncover ways to boost morale where the employee can see a career path within the organization.
How we engage with one another – from a top down and bottom-up perspective – is the only way to know what’s working and importantly, what’s not working. As a people leader, it’s critical to have soft skills and be viewed as a trusted source that an employee can confide in with confidence. The employee’s well-being must always be a top priority and organizations must have programs and practices in place to alleviate stress and anxiety at any given time. It is only then that your people can perform to their fullest potential.
People are motivated by what’s meaningful to them. What would you recommend organizations and/or managers do to motivate their teams?
I can’t stress enough the importance of communicating. People want to feel valued and seen as a key contributor to the success of the company. Conduct regular 1:1, team and organizational meetings. Fostering a transparent environment from both a corporate perspective and individual performance perspective pays huge dividends in motivating your people.
Also, people join companies because of the people. And more often than not, people leave companies because of the people. It’s important that every employee understands their individual performance, is rewarded for performance results, and has a clear view of their growth opportunity across the organization.
What is Quark doing to support the people experience?
Our people are our most valued asset. We have instituted several programs, tools and practices designed to help all our employees have an exceptional workplace experience. We take into account the physical, emotional, and psychological factors that contribute to their overall experience while working for, or interacting with, peers and leaders across the organization. Our employee assistance program helps employees successfully manage personal, stressful situations without having to worry about any impact on their professional responsibilities. Quark’s peer-to-peer global recognition program is an opportunity for all individuals to recognize and reward their peers for their great contributions. We also invest heavily in training to help employees strengthen their soft skills and email etiquette, which are both vital to customer excellence. Finally, we are committed to creating individual development plans where the employee is a direct contributor in building their individual growth plan.
What is it about Quark’s culture that excites you?
Quark has been around for a long time, over 40 years. It’s not just its legacy and strong market reputation that makes it a company I want to be a part of, but the leadership team is approachable and transparent. Employees are comfortable sharing thoughts or concerns which fosters an open and collaborative culture. Personally, I’ve gotten everything I need from leadership during my nearly three years here. They don’t restrict any employee at any level from attainable growth opportunities. This is what makes them a brilliant organization.
What do you like to do in your free time?
When I’m not thinking about the people at Quark, I love spending quality time with my 1 & ½ year old son. We cycle in the park, dance together, and go on car drives with music on and explore new things. I’m also a fitness enthusiast and enjoy all things cardio!
