National Instruments measures success by employee satisfaction

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describes how a company with more than 7,000 employees around the world has earned international plaudits for retaining the feel of a family firm. Design/methodology/approach – This paper examines why the people strategy is so important at National Instruments and what this means in practice. Findings – This paper attributes the success of the company to its policies on recruitment, retention, employee development, incentives, benefits and communications. Practical implications – The role of the firm’s 100-year plan in guiding company decisions has been highlighted. It focuses on a long-term commitment to key stakeholders and supports the firm’s unwavering investment in its people. Social implications – The close involvement of the company in the communities where it is based and, in particular, its education initiatives aimed at producing more top-class scientists has been highlighted. Originality/value – This paper provides the inside story of the people strategy at a firm named among the USA’s 100 Best Companies for the 15th consecutive year.