Reached NOK one billion in turnover without marketing
Maria AmelieTeknisk Ukeblad (Norway)
Published: 18.01.13
The Omega company has been awarded Rogaland’s Innovation and Research prize.
”We focus on having a positive attitude and an open culture both internally and externally. It is not just about having an open office landscape, but open technology, economic processes and recognizing people’s hard work,” says CEO Petter Aalvik.
Fra venstre: Omega-grunder og styreformann Sigmund Lunde, administrerande direktør i Haugesundregionens Næringsforening Egil Sævereide og daglig leder i Omega Petter Aalvik. Foto: Omega
No marketing
NHO Innovation prize
The winner of the regional prize will go on to the national final.
The criteria for the national final are:
- The company must have proven its viability and show positive results
- The company must be based on innovation
- The company must be future-oriented and demonstrate the ability to put new ideas into practice
- The company should be a role model for youth
He is extremely glad the company has received the prize.
In choosing the winner, the jury has emphasized that a strategy of no marketing has achieved increased turnover, good technology products and a tenfold increase in staff.
”We have some sales departments, but the company does not use money on marketing. Our basic thought process is to use funds to ensure our clients and employees are satisfied. This is positive and important marketing in itself,” says Aalvik.
6000 pieces of feedback
The company provides software and personnel to the oil and energy industry. They have employees in 15 countries. One example of employee-driven innovation the jury focused on was the availability of a technology department to all 1000 employees.
”1.5 years ago, we launched our own ‘Improve’ system – a direct communications channel from each of our 1035 employees to our technology department. In 2012, over 6000 pieces of feedback and ideas were followed up with enhancements to improve our systems.”
The Prize included 100 000 NOK that will go towards a local project in Vindafjord, a business development community to encourage more business to take an interest in technology.
Extra perks
The company focuses on long-term recruitment and many members of its team have been employed for more than 10 years. They also aim to customize their assignments for their employees.
”We have also chosen to be innovative in terms of our welfare program for employees and have developed our own welfare system: ‘Advantage’. Twenty-nine cabins and holiday houses around the world, many international teambuildings each year, concerts, sporting events, shows. It is this program that we get the most positive feedback for,” suggest Aalvik.
Brothers, Sigmund Lunde and Tor Erling Lunde, started the company. According to Aalvik, the brothers’ personalities have provided a good basis for achieving a culture of innovation and ensuring employees are satisfied.