Creating the Best Place to Work in Austin: Catapult Vice President
of Human Resources to Speak on Innovative Ideas for Building a Positive Work Environment
AUSTIN, Texas – November 12, 2007 – Catapult Systems, recently named the Best Place to Work in Austin by the
Austin Business Journal, announces that Sue Darrow, Catapult’s vice president of Human Resources, will join a panel of human resource leaders to speak on the topic, Creating an Attractive Business Culture. The panel, hosted by the Austin Chamber of Commerce, will take place on November 13, 2007 at the ACC Highland Business Center.
Darrow’s leadership in conceptualizing and implementing innovative HR concepts have played a critical role in building Catapult’s work environment into one which consistently
wins local and state-wide Best Place to Work awards. Her message will provide valuable insight for the entrepreneurs attending this workshop, who seek to similarly create successful cultures for their employees.
“Human Resource departments in IT services companies face special challenges: not only do we play on an incredibly competitive recruiting playing field, the very jobs for which we hire people can burn them out quickly,” said Darrow. “In traditional services firms, the technologists hired as consultants generally become road warriors, spending weeks and even months away from their home and families. And, when they spend so much time at a customer’s site, they often feel cut off from the company for which they work. That’s why, at Catapult, we are dedicated to ensuring all employees enjoy a strong work/life balance, like with policies that ensure they spend much less time on the road than they might with our competitors, and with activities that enable them to feel included in the life of the company.”
Darrow’s dedication to the well-being of Catapult staff is demonstrated in the innovative concepts she has brought to life. In an industry with traditionally steep employee turnover rates, Catapult maintains high employee retention rates as it continues to support a positive culture of collaboration and connectedness among employees that achieves business success. And Darrow’s implementation of behavioral interview techniques ensures that staff added to Catapult share the company’s philosophy and goals.
Darrow adds, “Human Resources often heads up the charge in these efforts, but company leaders are the crucial element in establishing a positive culture and enabling HR to implement sound policies that align to it. At Catapult, for example, our leadership believes in an open-door policy, paving the way for HR to easily seek and gain buy-in from staff on rewards for over-the-top achievements and like programs. When employees feel they have a voice in how they are treated, they feel empowered and trusted. Simple things like these build loyalty and a sense of family of which we are proud.”
Click here to register for the event, or learn more about Catapult’s culture.