Corporate culture: Be humble to listen and brave enough to discuss

From soccer to handball, basketball to curling, winning a title always calls for a real celebration. And no sooner has the applause died down than the analysis begins: What propelled this team to victory? What pivotal moment sealed the win? Who were the standout players?  

The athletes of today benefit from comprehensive digital evaluation and support, for example through the use of SAP software for the RPE (ratings of perceived exertion) to gauge their overall condition or tools like SAP Penalty Insights. In this way, many success analyses begin with what appears to be objective data, with individual stats, training performance, movement patterns, tackling, and lactic acid levels all strategically woven into a game plan designed to beat the opponent.  

Searching for the perfect season

But can we really explain the perfect seasons of Arsenal (2003/04), Juventus (2011/12), or Bayer Leverkusen (2023/24) – without a single defeat between them? Because beyond the hard facts, there must be another explanation that, while not quantifiable, was clearly evident on the pitch. People talk about how it was down to the chemistry between the players or the fantastic team spirit, and, not least, how everyone pulled together. In the end, the general consensus is that these impressive sporting victories would never have been possible without such a strong sense of cohesion within the team. 

Team spirit is also aspired to within companies – an intangible essence that not everyone picks up on. It is meant to help the organization to rise to new heights and exceed its objectives. Managing this spirit in a soccer team of eleven players is challenging enough, but it’s manageable with the right coaching team. How does this translate to a company with 15,000 or more employees? In this context, it’s crucial to align individual strengths, different personalities, and various motivators to ensure everyone is always working toward a common goal. 

Motivation and friendliness

Employees from NTT DATA Business Solutions around the world have varying responses when asked what it is that sets the company apart, yet the most common explanation for its success is the motivating and friendly cooperation that transcends hierarchical structures. Chief HR Officer Dieter Schoon drives this point home with an unconventional explanation: “Our employees have concern for the work they do.”  

And people who are concerned generally strive to make things better – sometimes by going above and beyond what’s expected of their role. “When others start to follow suit,” explains Schoon, “it creates a company culture where people are there for each other, approachable, helpful, and prepared to listen before giving advice or instructions.” 

Walk the talk

Authenticity is one of the cornerstones of our corporate culture; people being “genuine” and true to themselves, underlines Schoon. “It’s important to me that we attract individuals who not only listen, but can also express their opinions – and act on them as well.” And why is that important? “Because our customers appreciate this about us, and because it leads to solutions that truly make a difference,” reveals the HR director. This is why the company never attempts to shield clients from hard truths in favor of simply pushing the next product. “We don’t ever leave customers alone in tough situations either; instead, we work together to find solutions and ensure they feel supported every step of the way.”  

People with this type of personality, who are capable of inspiring their teams as future leaders, are few and far between. Essentially, there are only two ways to find them: By seeking them out in the job market or by supporting existing employees on their personal development journey. NTT DATA Business Solutions is committed to both of these options. Whenever new employees come on board, for example, Schoon says, “I always tell them how delighted I am that they can now play a part in improving our corporate culture.” This approach by the HR director is meant to make it clear to new hires “that they can and should make a meaningful impact on our company’s future through their unique personalities.”  

Clarity and respect

This attitude also involves calling a spade a spade. If Schoon expects one thing from old and new employees alike, it’s this: “If you spot an elephant in the room, call it out and don’t skirt around the issue.” Only those who are willing to discuss problems actually contribute to fixing them. Nevertheless, a candid approach like this needs a counterbalance, or else words could hurt or cause offense. This counterbalance is having respect for others. It’s essential to learn how to see people as a whole – not just as employees.  

Responsibility and appreciation 

As a good company culture takes root, this process tends to happen organically. Those who have been supported in their work tend to pay it forward, regardless of whether there are five or 15,000 team members. Yet respecting your teammates and passing the ball in front of the opponent’s goal isn’t enough. An effective corporate culture also involves taking responsibility: Taking the ball yourself, positioning yourself strategically, daring to take risks – and ultimately being rewarded for success. This includes acknowledging mistakes and celebrating achievements when they come.  

Prestigious awards like the Top Employer seal represent a powerful tool for communicating the diverse facets of corporate culture both objectively and effectively. In 2024, NTT DATA Business Solutions achieved global Gold status for the first time, complemented by regional accolades as Top Employer 2024 in 29 countries spanning Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa, and North America.  

Is there chemistry?

There’s nothing like a face-to-face meeting to truly determine if the chemistry is right for both parties. “That’s the whole point of the application process,” notes Schoon. It’s about identifying people who will be a good match for the company. With Schoon pointing out that the number of applications rose by 42 percent from 2022 to 2023, the appeal of NTT DATA Business Solutions as an employer is undeniable. 

And who gets hired in the end? “Naturally, the decision largely comes down to how qualified a person is for the role, and we typically have an expert involved in the interview to judge that,” explains Schoon. Beyond that, though, it takes someone who understands the corporate culture – people who can listen and also express their opinions. “Be humble enough to listen and brave enough to discuss,” says Schoon, describing a trait he likes to see in applicants. “I’m always pleased when we find people like this, because we know how much our customers appreciate them – and that has been key to our success over the years.” 

Responsibility, appreciation, authenticity, and mutual respect – when an organization cultivates these and other qualities, word gets around both within the company and beyond. It’s no surprise that many new employees join NTT DATA Business Solutions through recommendations from current staff.

As Aileen Rakow, Head of Global People Development, says, “I learned about the company through a personal contact who couldn’t stop telling me about
the fantastic working environment.” Despite having little exposure to the IT consulting sector and the SAP ecosystem specifically, Rakow adds, “I was so fascinated by the unique culture and hands-on mentality from the very first moment that I knew I just had to be a part of this company.” Today, Rakow leads “a dynamic team of globally active and dedicated talents in Germany, focusing on lifelong learning and the targeted personal and professional development of employees.”

So, how do you find people who are open to this kind of personal development? One approach is to turn to headhunters and influencers – for instance, more than half (53 percent) of new hires are specifically targeted beforehand, with additional recruitment through social media platforms such as LinkedIn, TikTok, and Instagram. Alternatively, over 25 percent of new hires come from recommendations by relatives, friends, and even neighbors. It also helps that, in 2024, NTT DATA Business Solutions was the proud recipient of an award that only 17 organizations worldwide have achieved this year: the Gold Seal of Approval as a Global Top Employer.

This badge is awarded to companies that offer excellent working conditions, which include structures and processes that allow employees to develop in line with their needs. In four of the six overarching HR categories – Steer, Shape, Attract, Develop, Engage, Unite – NTT DATA Business Solutions outperformed the benchmark from 2,300 companies evaluated worldwide. “There’s no denying the sheer amount of effort that went into achieving this award, but it certainly paid off twofold,” sums up Dieter Schoon, Chief HR Officer at NTT DATA Business Solutions. “Not only does it give us an effective way to demonstrate to the public that we are a good employer, the evaluation process itself gave us the opportunity to scrutinize our own structures and optimize them where required and possible.”