The power of ownership at CGI

Diane O’Connor, Service Manager

“CGI is “our” company. Ownership is reflected in everything we see and do. The company has a growth mindset and encourages all staff to use these skills to identify new opportunities and continually develop skills and to keep up to date with emerging technologies. Staff are encouraged to “own” their development plans and CGI has provided staff with learning passports that provide recommendations for courses based on in-demand areas.

CGI balances the requirements of clients, members and shareholders to achieve optimal success. Happy clients, happy members and happy shareholders have a direct input on share prices. The better we perform the better the share prices achieved and as owners that’s great news!”

Jesline Justine, Associate SCADA Engineer

“CGI’s ownership culture gives me a true sense of belonging within the company. It makes me feel that every action of mine contributes to the results of the organisation and ultimately, that I am accountable for the results of my actions.”

Isabelle Gieschen, HR Consultant/Generalist

“The ownership culture of CGI not only encourages loyalty by owning a small part of the company, but also promotes being proactive and responsible for my own career journey. CGI provides the tools for learning and development, but it’s on me to work on my professional development plan, and voice where I want to head and how it benefits myself and the company."

Tynagh Songberg, Security Analyst

“The ownership culture at CGI encourages members to have a stake in our organisation and its many potential futures. By taking ownership of the work I do, I can focus on developing and maintaining close client relationships, as well as finding solutions for our clients’ pain points. As a shareholder, I am rewarded by our achievements and am always encouraged to get involved in CGI’s initiatives, including knowing what directions and goals we are pursuing. 

Having ownership culture allows us to make a real difference in the work we do, helping direct the company to discover new innovative solutions that we can deliver directly to our clients. It’s a collaborative, professional partnership and at the end of the day, a rewarding experience that benefits the entire CGI community.”

Steph Calvert, Talent Acquisition Lead - Australia

The biggest mark of respect that you can give to someone is encouraging ownership. There’s nothing more empowering than having your peers, manager or stakeholders directly or indirectly say ‘we trust you, you’ve got this’. CGI’s ownership culture has done wonders for my career, giving me the confidence to stretch myself, move outside my comfort zone and continually try new things. When you’re trusted to do something, you take even more pride in your work. You own it, and it’s this ownership culture that pulls everyone together in the same direction.”

Cathy Langman, Director – Consulting Services Delivery Manager

“Ownership means that as a member you’re not just there for the ride, but playing a part in the organisation and influencing decisions. It means belonging to a diverse team, and being able to work together to produce something really special for our clients. 

We have the ability to impact our direction, how we succeed and what we choose. I’ve had the opportunity to grow and progress through the organisation, as it really values and respects diversity. It is open to giving people opportunities and helping you develop your skills along the way, and it’s been a real privilege to have that.”

Rocio Pospisil, IT Applications and Infrastructure Project Manager

“In my experience, I can affirm that making us members rather than employees is one of the catalysts of CGI’s success over the years. Participating in the share purchase plan encourages members to work towards a common goal in developing the company. It is motivating to feel part of the company vision and mission, to take pride in CGI’s success, and share the results of a well implemented strategy.”

Carly Deason, Technical Consultant

“To me, CGI’s ownership culture represents the true meaning of “We’re all in this together”. We’re working towards a common goal of improving CGI’s performance and living up to the core company values.

CGI members know we can trust in each other to take initiative and provide our clients with exceptional services, which in turn, benefits all of CGI. Great results provide further motivation to work together and achieve even greater goals in the future.”

Maria Apostolas, Human Resources Director

“As an owner, I am not a passive bystander but an active participant in the day to day workings of CGI and more importantly, it also means I have a voice that feeds into our businesses’ priorities, initiatives and overall strategy. I see this as both a great responsibility and a great opportunity. As an owner, I know I have an obligation to create value for CGI. That in turn, affords me a unique opportunity to speak up and challenge things where I need to, for the betterment of the company and its members.”

Lauren Davis, Project and Service Delivery Manager

“As both a member and an owner of CGI, my own personal development and successes directly contribute to the development and success of the company - which then directly translates into shared successes for our clients.

CGI’s dream “To create an environment in which we enjoy working together and, as owners, contribute to building a company we can be proud of”, resonates with me. I share a respect and admiration for my colleagues; whether working as a local team, a wider team across Australia or internationally, we are all reflecting a common culture.”