ANNUAL REPORT 2008/09 - Sonova

contribution to society. Sustainable conduct is therefore
a core component of Sonova’s business activities.
Extremely high quality standards
The production of hearing solutions requires very high
standards of quality at all levels. As an innovation leader,
Sonova strives to off er its customers the best and most
technologically advanced products of unparalleled quality
– not just with regard to their manufacture and safety,
but their user friendliness and environmental footprint.
To achieve these targets, Sonova has made a global
com mitment to uphold specifi c sustainability and quality
principles.
The Sonova Group has a worldwide quality management
system that concentrates on client focus, customer satisfaction,
and also continuous improvement of products
and processes. This is assured through certifi cation in
accordance with ISO 9001:2000 and 13485:2003.
Sonova’s employees play a vital role in helping to ensure
that the company’s high quality standards are upheld at
all times.
Focus on people
As it strives to improve the quality of life for people
with hearing loss, the hearing instrument industry thrives
on continuous innovation in the areas of products and
services. Above-average levels of service are demanded at
the interfaces between hearing systems, hearing advice
and end users. For this reason, motivated, committed and
creative employees are a key factor in Sonova’s success.
The Group’s positive business results are largely dependent
on the respect which the company has for its employees.
The continued development of a strong corporate culture
has a strong tradition at Sonova and is a top priority.
This holistic approach is present throughout the Group and
fi nds expression in Sonova’s core values in relation to
human resources management and recruitment. Working
at Sonova means fl at hierarchies, the equal treatment of
all employees, responsibility for one’s own actions, transparent
Corporate Governance and open communication
with all stakeholders. The maintenance and development
of this strong corporate culture is a management priority
and at the same time the driver for sustainable commercial
success.
Sonova’s employees are one of the most important factors
in the Group’s successful value creation. For this reason,
visions and values for personnel development were drafted
and specifi c guidelines defi ned. The motto “Sonova – the
place to be!” refl ects the company’s eff orts to integrate all
employees in the company and to promote and develop
them professionally within the Group. Competence and experience
should remain within the company and contribute
to the success of the Group in a sustainable manner.
Sonova operates a carefully managed system of succession
planning at all of its sites, providing employees within
the Group with a professional career path.
The following values apply to personnel development
within the Sonova Group: While people are of prime importance
at Sonova, the company should be the employer of
choice for its employees. Personal successes always
mean success for the company as a whole and the added
value the company brings is based largely on team eff ort.
These guiding principles are implemented systematically
worldwide. So, for example, employees evaluate everything
from their work environment through to the entire
corporation in the global human resources information
system, within the context of their annual achievement and
target fulfi llment appraisals. Sonova’s global human
resources standards were further improved during the
fi nancial year 2008/09.
SUSTAINABILITY
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