For a company which manufactures microprocessors - the brain of the computer, the greatest challenge is to maintain an environment for continuous innovation while meeting the aspirations of the young workforce. Hence, it is business critical for Intel to maintain a work environment that attracts the best talent in the industry, and at the same time, ensure that the policies and practices consciously cater to the aspirations of the different segments of the employee base. Intel has been fortunate on both counts - be it in terms of attracting talent or retaining them. Innovation and challenging the status quo is a way of life at Intel; and it is the challenging nature of work that provides ample opportunity for people to excel, accomplish things, and grow to the limits of their individual potential. Sharing his thoughts on what makes Intel a great workplace, Praveen Vishakantaiah, President, Intel India and Vice President, Technology, Manufacturing and Enterprise Services Group, says, “Intel’s belief in promoting a challenging work environment that develops our diverse workforce, recognizing and rewarding accomplishments through our various performance programs and making each and every employee an asset to the Intel community worldwide, makes it a great workplace.”

It is invariably in the DNA of Intel to have a great workplace which reinforces the importance of employee relations as a key to their organizational success. The value system is supported by cultivating an environment of open and direct communication, rewarding and recognizing employees and investing in career and leadership development. While the IT industry is faced with the greatest challenge in terms of attrition, Intel boasts of a high retention rate. A transparent work culture, importance given to work-life balance, and its focus on listening to its employees, keeps the connection between employees and the leadership active. The core team at Intel takes up every opportunity to address any people issues, understand their expectations, ambitions and match them according to their skill-sets. So, be it ‘Aarambh’ - wherein managers are made to interact with the newcomers who get to know their company and top brass on the very first day; ‘Anubhav’ - an experiential learning program; or CAIR (Careers At Intel Realised) Fair - where employees are provided with resources, tools and support to work on areas they are passionate about - these are all part of Intel’s value system.

Intel believes that employees are the company’s assets and thus on a regular basis, it comes up with different programs which help employees enhance their talent (leadership, technical, career development, etc.). ‘India Strategic Leadership Program’ (ISLP) is focused on the development of their leadership pipeline; ‘India Strategic Technology Program’ (ISTP) is aimed at developing the strategic thinking of the technical leaders; ‘Ideas 2 Reality’ (I2R) program is meant to target local opportunities and offer differentiated solutions; and CAIR Fair focuses on career development at all levels. For Intellites, who are ‘sponsors of tomorrow’, raising the bar each time has become more of a norm. The company recognizes the importance of work-life balance. Preethi Madappa, Senior Manager, HR, Intel GAR (Greater Asia Region), says, “At Intel, we recognize that work-life balance is important and our employees are actively encouraged to meet their personal commitments, as they focus on their professional lives.” To make the workplace more lively, the employees at Intel, run a program ‘SPARSH’ which ensures that there is always something to look forward to – dance competitions, parties, quarterlies, team lunches, jamboree, design day, kite-flying, social initiatives, etc. These programs at Intel ensure that employees remain charged with energy and vigor, which in effect helps them give their 100 percent at work; this in fact is the key reason as to what helps make Intel a great place to work for.

For Intel, being a great workplace means recognition from their employees that they do not just come to work to do a job; there is an involvement within the company which believes in celebrating success with employees. Intel cares for its employees and makes their association with Intel fulfilling by providing them good quality work, a conducive work environment and beyond that, a workplace that is supportive of their life needs.