Organizational Culture of Medtronic

In June 2008, I had the opportunity to interview the staff of Physio-Control, a division of Medtronic, inc. for a class project. With over 250 manufacturing facilities, sales offices, research centers, and administrative facilities, 38,000 employees worldwide, and operations in 120 countries, Medtronic, Inc. is the multi-billion dollar, global leader in medical technology.

At the Physio-Control division of Medtronic, entrants to the building are greeted by the mission of saving lives emblazoned on the wall. In addition to a display of current and past products, devices with historical significance are showcased. There are two still-functioning, fire scarred defibrillators. One of which any employee will proudly mention was recovered from the wreckage of the collapsed twin towers in New York. Throughout the building pictures of people whose lives were saved by Medtronic products adorn the walls. These artifacts are representative of the intrinsic rewards employees receive through understanding the real impact their work has on enriching lives.

As an organization, Medtronic reinforces this connection between daily work and the accomplishment of “contributing to human welfare” at its annual holiday party for Medtronic employees. At this moving event, patients whose lives have been enriched because of Medtronic’s products are brought in to share their stories. This experience invigorates employees as they see firsthand the outcome of their hard work. Management realizes that this event serves as both a reward and motivation for employees.

David Stafford, the VP of finance, described his continued amazement at how true this value is for the employees he works with at Medtronic. The goal of improving people’s lives is prevalent through all aspects of the company. Employees truly take pride in their work and become motivated in a way that pay increases and bonuses will never compare. The work itself becomes its own nonfinancial reward.

As an Organizational...