Eric Sugar, president & CEO (left) and Jaime McMahon, CTO, at ProServeIT Corporation.Provided
Joy Fajardo joined ProServeIT Corporation nearly four years ago, when she was a recent immigrant to Canada.
“The interview process was simple and friendly,” says Fajardo, now brand experience manager. “When I first joined, I was invited to the head office in Mississauga, Ont., to meet with the team and get to know them, and I’ve never seen anything like it. People were so personable – like a family!”
ProServeIT, a leading Microsoft partner, is a high-end information technology specialist and technology advisor. For the past 20 years, the company has helped organizations turn technology into a true business enabler.
“Our first core value is ‘people matter,’” says Eric Sugar, president. “We enable our team members to work independently and we have a flexible workplace policy and culture where employees may do much of their work remotely.”
Fajardo works mostly from home, though she goes in to the office every week or two and she appreciates the change in environment. She stays connected and collaborates with her colleagues through virtual meetings.
Every Friday, the company holds a virtual town hall meeting. Besides sharing business updates, an employee might give a short “passion talk.” This can be about any interest, from soapbox guitars to travel or life as a DJ.
“We have a flat business structure,” says Sugar. “Everyone has a team leader, but they are free to reach out to anyone with a question. I’ve had people working on the help desk reach out to me.”
Shortly after Fajardo joined the company, the pandemic hit. ProServeIT was called upon to help clients migrate to a remote world. What used to take up to a month was soon being done in days. Through it all, Fajardo pulled together with her teammates, and her manager met with her weekly.
ProServeIT also came up with some unique benefits. One is an unlimited vacation policy. Employees are free to work out their chosen vacation schedule with their manager so long as there is no coverage gap.
Another perk is team get-togethers. Last year was the company’s 20th anniversary. There were celebrations held in Ontario, and in regional offices in Prince Edward Island and Vietnam. Fajardo’s group in P.E.I. celebrated with senior management at a farm-to-table restaurant in the countryside, with a campfire afterwards. At the head office in Mississauga, employees and their spouses and partners were invited to a dinner where everyone celebrated the anniversary with good food.
As the company grows, Fajardo has developed quickly within the organization. She began as a sales assistant and has been promoted to brand experience manager, and her role continues to evolve. Encouraged to explore her interests and develop new skills, Fajardo has created a learning and development plan with her manager that includes courses and on-the-job training.
In addition, employees are encouraged to participate in cross-functional projects and job shadowing. There is also a substantial internship program.
“Last year we had 11 interns and this year there will be more,” says Sugar. “We’ve hired from this program. It’s important to build and groom the next generation.”
Fajardo’s manager, the vice-president of marketing, has mentored her. She says the leadership at ProServeIT aligns employees’ careers with their own career aspiration and the vision for the company.
“I’ve been asked what in my role I love doing and what I would love to explore. The company engages me to see where my career might go. There is so much growth potential as long as I want it and work towards it. I’m excited to go to work every day.”
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Advertising feature produced by Canada’s Top 100 Employers, a division of Mediacorp Canada Inc. The Globe and Mail’s editorial department was not involved.