Empowering our people

Our people are the most important part of our organization. They conceive our new innovations, they create our products, they help and inspire our customers, and they act as ambassadors of our culture.

It’s our people that make a real difference to our customers – enabling them to build better machines, helping them to reap the rewards of digital technologies and ensuring they can grow their businesses in a sustainable way. In short, it’s people that deliver what our customers need now, next and beyond.

Because people are so important, we want our organization to be one in which they can grow, thrive and be their best. We’re already working together as a team on various initiatives – such as flexible working, reverse mentoring and creating innovative workspaces – to help us shape and further develop our company culture. But there isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ solution, nor is it something that will happen instantly – it’s a continual process that will grow and develop over time.

Because it’s our people that make Bosch Rexroth what it is. Bosch Rexroth is a large and diverse company, so I see first-hand how we benefit from different perspectives. We have associates who have decades of knowledge and experience that they pass on to new talents. On the other hand, we have graduates and early career professionals coming into the business – bringing fresh approaches and new ideas with them. I believe that when different people and perspectives come together, we can overcome challenges and solve even the most difficult problems.

Being part of the wider Bosch group means that our employees have all the benefits that come with working for a big organization. Yet in many ways, Bosch Rexroth feels more like a small company – whether it’s the agile and unbureaucratic way we operate or our relationships with each other. It’s a unique blend that you don’t often come across.

I also love the flexibility. I’m able to work from anywhere, so while I’m still a big believer in having face-to-face time with my colleagues, I’m also able to achieve a good work-life balance. It’s important to me that I can make time for my family, as well as my colleagues. Working at Bosch Rexroth enables me to have the best of both worlds.

While different roles require certain specialist skills, there are overall qualities that apply to all positions. Emotional intelligence and the drive to achieve great results are key to success in any of our roles. The ability to take ownership, not just of tasks, but of their own development, is also important. As technology is continuously evolving, people must have an innovative mindset and feel passionate about challenging the status quo. Bosch Rexroth’s technologies are so unique that people will develop their expertise throughout their career, so new talent must be open-minded and carefully coached to become career experts. That way their expertise is leveraged and continues to drive the organization forward. This is how our people help us Move to Win.

This is an issue that’s affecting many of our customers, so as a company, we’re committed to finding ways to help them. With new digital technologies emerging, there’s a requirement for people who can implement, operate and manage this advanced technology. People with a totally new skillset may be needed.

One way to address this is through “quiet hiring”, which is the practice of acquiring the skills that a business needs primarily from the people who are already working in the organization. So, by upskilling and developing existing staff, the company can fill skills gaps, and the employee is able to enhance their career and grow. At Bosch Rexroth, we also provide training for our customers, so their people can learn how to use our new technologies and develop the skills they need compatibly with our progressing products and services.

There’s a current trend towards employees charting nonlinear career paths and 56% of candidates¹ are applying for jobs outside of their area of expertise. It makes sense that companies focus more on whether a candidate is right for the role – for example, whether they have the right attributes and motivation – rather than just their previous experience.

Many people spend more time at work than at home, so it’s important they feel inspired and like they belong – and this is dependent on the company’s culture.

At Bosch Rexroth, we strive for a company culture where people feel supported and empowered, where collaboration is encouraged and where our associates value each other’s contribution, regardless of hierarchy. This type of work culture enables our people to enjoy their work, grow and be their best – which in turn benefits our business and our customers.