Ritu Anand on The Role of Cross-Functional Values in Attracting, Engaging, and Retaining Associates
At Terumo India, we don’t just build careers—we build well-rounded professionals equipped for the future- Ritu Anand
At Terumo India, the concept of cross-functional values transcends mere compensation packages to embrace a vibrant culture fostering growth, innovation, and personal development. By cultivating an environment where talent thrives, the organization ensures its associates experience professional and personal enrichment.
The “One Terumo” philosophy anchors global collaboration, enriching associates’ journeys through exposure to diverse perspectives and fostering a collective mindset. A Growth Mindset drives the organization’s continuous learning agenda, equipping its workforce with both technical and interpersonal (“power”) skills. Strategic initiatives like the People Leadership Capability Building (PLCB) Program exemplify the emphasis on holistic well-being, further reinforced through campaigns like Mental Health Matters Day and #CommitTobeFit.
With remarkably low attrition rates compared to industry benchmarks, Terumo India’s commitment to empathy, innovation, and collaboration shines through. Recognition programs and wellness initiatives bolster a culture that thrives on its core values: Respect, Integrity, Care, Quality, and Creativity. By aligning every endeavor with its mission of “Contributing to Society through Healthcare,” the organization ensures it remains deeply rooted in its purpose to improve lives.
These impactful strategies were shared by Ms. Ritu Anand, Vice President – Human Resources and Corporate Communications at Terumo India Private Limited, highlighting the transformative role of cross-functional values in attracting, engaging, and retaining associates with People Manager:
People Manager: How do Terumo’s cross-cultural values enhance the organization’s appeal to potential associates?
Ritu Anand: At Terumo India, we understand that today’s emerging talent isn’t just looking for a competitive paycheck—they want to be part of a culture where they can truly thrive. It’s no longer just about surviving in a job; they want an environment that fosters growth, innovation, and personal development. That’s exactly what we offer here at Terumo India.
One of the key aspects that makes Terumo India stand out is our “One Terumo” approach, which promotes collaboration across the entire Terumo ecosystem. We give our associates the chance to contribute not only within their own teams but also across all Terumo entities worldwide. This interconnectedness allows them to gain exposure to different cultures, ideas, and perspectives, enhancing their experience and broadening their professional horizons. It also encourages cross-cultural learning, is what makes Terumo India a truly appealing place for those looking to grow and contribute at a global level.
Beyond this, we cultivate a Growth Mindset—one that values learning from others and continuous experimentation. As an agile and lean organization, we enable our associates to develop skills across different areas, strengthening their ability to collaborate and influence without authority. Alongside technical expertise, we emphasize power skills (soft skills) such as communication, adaptability, and leadership. To further this, we create ad hoc committees like kick-offs and annual offsites, offering opportunities beyond just functional expertise.
At Terumo India, we don’t just build careers—we build well-rounded professionals equipped for the future.
People Manager: What are some challenges in embedding cross-cultural values within an organization’s culture, and how do you address them?
Ritu Anand: At Terumo India, embedding cross-cultural values within our organizational fabric comes with its own complexities.
To address these challenges and build a high-performance culture, we have focused on strategic initiatives to empower associates and create an environment of continuous growth and well-being. As a high-growth organization, we recognize the importance of nurturing strong bonds and connections, a key differentiator that sets us apart in the marketplace.
A key initiative in this direction is the People Leadership Capability Building (PLCB) Program for First-Time Managers, which builds collaboration, strengthens a learning mindset, and develops future-ready leaders aligned with Terumo’s global core competencies. Recognizing the importance of balance and mental clarity, we also encourage associates to fully participate in initiatives like Mental Health Matters Day, creating space for rejuvenation and mindfulness.
Building an inclusive workplace remains a priority, and YUME, our dedicated women’s associate resource group, has been instrumental in facilitating career discussions, mentorship, and support to drive greater inclusion. Additionally, we are expanding our commitment to inclusivity by launching a Caregiving ARG (Associate Resource Group), providing a support system for associates managing caregiving responsibilities.
Beyond professional growth, we also believe in the power of holistic well-being. Through wellness programs like #CommitTobeFit and our partnership with Cult Fit, we continue to focus on fitness, mental health, and preventive care—ensuring our associates stay engaged, motivated, and at their best.
People Manager: How does Terumo measure the impact of its values-driven approach on associate retention and satisfaction?
Ritu Anand: At Terumo India, the impact of our values-driven approach on associate retention and satisfaction is measured through tangible metrics and qualitative insights. The results of our people-first philosophy, Powered by People, speak for itself. While the medical device industry grapples with attrition rates of 15-18%, Terumo India maintains a significantly lower rate of single digit. This not only reflects strong associate satisfaction but also underscores the effectiveness of our inclusive, growth-oriented policies.
Beyond numbers, what truly sets us apart is a culture built on empathy, innovation, and collaboration ensuring that our associates feel engaged, motivated, and deeply connected to our group mission. Recognition programs such as SPOT Awards, Samurai Awards, Peer Empathy Awards, among others reinforce this culture by celebrating excellence, teamwork, and contributions that make a difference. Complementing these efforts, well-being initiatives like Terumo Cares, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) further strengthen our commitment to holistic support, creating an environment where people feel valued and empowered to thrive.
People Manager: In what ways do cross-cultural values foster collaboration and teamwork among associates across different functions?
Ritu Anand: At Terumo, we are working to build a healthier, happier society for our Associates and the world. Our story began over 100 years ago in Japan. Since then, we have been united by our mission to contribute to society through healthcare. As an Associate at Terumo, the invaluable work of associates helps to shape our evolution for the future.
Working as one team, learning, innovating, challenging ourselves to envision the future of healthcare. And no matter the location, no matter the team, we look out for one another, respect and support each other in achieving our goals, strengthening trust with patients and healthcare providers everywhere.
At Terumo, Our Employee Value Proposition, ‘Advancing Healthcare with Heart’ is the glue that brings associates together across regions and functions. It has 3 pillars: Grow Your Own Way, Create to Innovate and Get There Together.
We believe in the power of personal growth. We encourage associates to get in the driver’s seat and progress the way they want to, deepening their skills throughout their career. Grow Your Own Way is challenging and championing you on your unique journey.
Test, learn and share at Terumo is the core of Create to Innovate. Supporting associates to be bold, think outside the box, experiment, innovate at speed and deliver what’s next for quality healthcare.
Our associates are a part of a collaborative, respectful and resilient team of associates and leaders around the world. Working together as partners to achieve more than we thought is possible and provide real-world, sustainable impact for patients.
Strengthening these values, initiatives like Terumo One Connect provide cross-functional opportunities that broaden perspectives and develop leadership skills. By embracing this shared culture, our Associates learn, innovate, and succeed together creating an environment of inclusivity, purpose, and sustainable global impact.
People Manager: What strategies have you implemented to effectively communicate and reinforce Terumo’s values across departments and teams?
Ritu Anand: At Terumo India, reinforcing our global Core Values across teams is not just a communication effort—it’s an ongoing journey of embedding these values into our culture, behaviors, and ways of working. We achieve this through structured programs, immersive experiences, and leadership-driven engagement.
A key initiative in this direction is the Shu Ha Ri Program, which actively embeds global core competencies like valuing differences. This ensures that Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) is not just a policy, but a principle practiced in letter and spirit across our organization.
People Manager: How do Terumo India’s values shape the onboarding process and help new associates integrate into the organization seamlessly?
Ritu Anand: Terumo India’s onboarding process is designed to ensure a smooth change for new associates by fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. Our program is called ‘Yokoso’ which means ‘welcome’ in Japanese.
Our Associate Buddy Program plays a key role in this journey as well, where we assign experienced associates to guide new hires, helping them navigate organizational processes, policies, and culture. Buddies assist in integrating new associates by addressing their queries, introducing them to colleagues, and providing encouragement. They also help them familiarize themselves with the workplace, ensuring they feel welcome and confident in their roles.
By prioritizing mentorship, knowledge-sharing, and early engagement, Terumo India creates a structured and welcoming onboarding experience that enables new associates to adapt seamlessly and contribute effectively to the organization.
People Manager: Can you share any innovative initiatives Terumo has introduced to promote its values, particularly in a hybrid or remote work environment?
Ritu Anand: Our hybrid work model and flexible timing options empower associates to maintain a healthy work-life balance, leading to higher job satisfaction and retention. We reinforce this commitment through initiatives like Mental Health Matters Day, a company-wide investment where, every quarter, we switch off from work for half a day to focus on mental well-being.
Additionally, our progressive DE&I policies reflect our commitment to valuing associates’ personal ecosystems. We offer caregiver leave, pet care leave, and menstrual leave, ensuring that associates feel supported in all aspects of their lives. By fostering a culture that prioritizes well-being, we create an environment where associates can thrive both personally and professionally.
Beyond the workplace, our familial and inclusive culture extends to associates’ families, making them a part of our journey. By actively involving them in celebrations, we cultivate a sense of belonging that strengthens our community.
People Manager: How do Terumo’s cross-cultural values align with and support its broader mission of “Contributing to Society through Healthcare”?
Ritu Anand: We contribute to society by providing valued products and services in the healthcare market and by responding to the needs of patients and healthcare professionals.
Our five Core Values are deeply intertwined with our group mission of “Contributing to Society through Healthcare”.
- “Respect– Appreciative of others” ensures appreciation toward associates, customers, and business partners,
- “Integrity– Guided by their mission” ensures we always prioritize patients’ needs,
- “Care-Empathetic to patients” guides our focus on empathetic innovation,
- “Quality-Committed to excellence” drives our commitment to excellence, and
- “Creativity-Striving for innovation” enables us to find new ways to improve healthcare outcomes
Together, they ensure that every decision we make aligns with our commitment to improving lives.
People Manager: What advice would you offer HR leaders looking to leverage values-driven strategies to create a more inclusive, engaged, and resilient workforce?
Ritu Anand: In the journey to strengthen associate well-being and drive low attrition rates, one principle stands out: Trust.
Trust your associates, empower them, and watch them flourish. Here’s how HR leaders can make it happen:
- Empower through Trust: Trust your associates to take charge of their well-being. Provide them with autonomy and control over their wellness journey, allowing them to choose initiatives that resonate with their needs and preferences. For example, offering unlimited sick leaves ensures that associates can prioritize their health without stress.
- Cater to Diverse Needs: Recognize that one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to wellness. Tailor your initiatives to address the diverse needs of your workforce, whether it’s physical fitness, mental health, or work-life balance. Programs like #CommitToBeFit encourage associates to adopt healthier lifestyles in ways that work best for them.
- Embrace Innovation: Don’t be afraid to try new approaches. Encourage a culture of continuous learning and experimentation. Adopting a growth mindset allows organizations to explore new well-being strategies that adapt to the evolving needs of associates, ensuring lasting impact and engagement.
- Provide Support: Offer support through Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), counselling services, and access to medical advice. Show associates that you’re there for them, ready to help whenever needed. Additionally, initiatives like the Caregiver ARG ensure that associates managing caregiving responsibilities receive the necessary resources and support.
- Communicate and Listen: Keep communication channels open and listen to associate feedback. Address any concerns or challenges proactively, demonstrating that their well-being is a top priority.
For further insights into the evolving workplace paradigm, visit
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- Ritu Anand on The Role of Cross-Functional Values in Attracting, Engaging, and Retaining Associates - April 24, 2025
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