Olympus Canada develops leaders from within

Marie-Christine Asselin joined Olympus Canada just five years ago and she’s already graduated from the company’s North American Emerging Leaders Program.

Asselin has had the opportunity to work with people who have deep experience in the company. “There is a strong collaborative culture that helped me to learn quickly, which has a positive impact on my work,” says Asselin, a sales representative in surgical and ear, nose and throat (ENT).

“I was amazed to be selected to attend the year-and-a-half long leadership program,” she says. “It meant meeting virtually and in-person with 19 of my peers across North America.” The program al- so allowed Asselin to interact with company leaders.

“At Olympus, we are on the lookout for employees who show potential to become leaders,” says Kevin Treuer, manager, distribution centre operations. “We offer development through training and projects that give them exposure across the business.”

Based in Richmond Hill, Ont., Olympus Canada is part of a global company that specializes in providing and servicing medical technologies, including minimally invasive therapeutic devices and diagnostic equipment.

Asselin describes facing a huge learning curve when she started work in the surgical field. She took over the position from a sales representative who had moved into a new role within the company. “He was there to help and to introduce me to customers,” she says.

The company offers detailed training on the equipment Asselin sells and the customer relationship management platforms she uses. And there is an annual sales meeting for Olympus representatives from across the Americas.

“My manager has 12 years of experience with Olympus I can draw upon, and she’s been in sales herself,” says Asselin. “She’s results-driven but also empathetic.”

Treuer describes a caring culture in the organization. “Empathy is one of our core values for our customers and their patients – and for our staff,” he says. Each team develops a charter to show how they will uphold the values of patient focus, innovation, impact, empathy and integrity. “It gives us a common purpose and we pull together.”

Bringing together employees from different areas of the company has proved a good way to develop staff and solve challenges. Treuer gives the example of people from sales and marketing meeting with warehouse staff to figure out why a piece of equipment was being returned to the company because of damage.

“The result was the development of a new shipping case,” says Treuer. “We’ve not had another return of that product, and employees from each area know a bit more about what each other do.”

At Olympus, people also come together to recognize a job well done. The company holds an annual awards celebration to honour employees with productivity and leadership awards. Employees can be nominated by their peers. “It’s nice for people to recognize others who have made an impact,” says Treuer.

Asselin recently received her five-years service award. “Not every company acknowledges that,” she says. “I feel like I’m worth something to the company.”

When she’s out in the field, Asselin says it feels good to work for Olympus. Her clients range from nurses and surgeons to engineers and hospital purchasing agents. “One thing they all have in common is their respect for the integrity of Olympus products and service,” says Asselin. “I have never heard of a negative experience. I am welcomed.”

This article appeared in the magazine announcing this year's Greater Toronto’s Top Employers winners, published December 3, 2024 in The Globe and Mail. This article was prepared with the financial support of the employer, which reviewed but did not write its contents.