Our Mission

To be the preferred supplier of high-value communication & entertainment solutions to northern customers for their advantage and enjoyment.

Northwestel's mission statement conveys a message of customer focus and understanding. Northerners will have choice in their telecommunication solutions and Northwestel intends to be their preferred supplier. Northwestel will provide its customers with an unbeatable value proposition.
 

Vision Elements

Customers: We will be the preferred supplier of high value solutions for customer advantage and enjoyment.

Northwestel will listen to what customers are saying about their telecommunication needs and expectations. The Company will deliver on these to be the preferred supplier.

Employees: Our employees and culture will be our primary competitive advantage.

Employees will be recognized and rewarded for the success of the Company. Northwestel must have a shared vision and partnership with the Union and its membership.

Processes: We will acquire or continuously improve our processes for competitiveness and effectiveness.

Investors: We will steadily grow the business and increase value for investors.

Our investors must have confidence in our ability to remain a competitive, growing entity.
 

Our Values

Northwestel's set of values is at the core of how we operate as a company. They define who we are, what is driving us, and are our guiding principles. Our values represent a collective behaviour; they cannot be compromised. Our core values are:

Customer Loyalty

The employee who instills and strengthens a sense of Loyalty with our clients creates the most desirable bond between our customer and ourselves. This person takes customer satisfaction to a higher level, developing relationships with clients to become an integral part of their success.

Behaviours

• adopt a long-term perspective in addressing customer issues
• ensures short- and long-term solutions are aligned
• seek feedback on impact of services provided to customers
• regularly share relevant information with customers to build their understanding of issues
• understands issues from the customer perspective and communicates appropriate solutions effectively
• maintains a competitive, profit and market driven orientation

Innovation

The employee who demonstrates the value of Innovation recognizes that the business world is evolving too rapidly to depend on yesterday's solutions. This employee has the ability to look past the obvious and propose new and creative ideas, coupled with the skill needed to make them understood and accepted. Highly energetic and always thinking, this person is proud to share ideas for everyone's benefit.

Behaviours

• actively initiates, influences and/or supports positive change to benefit the business
• proactively seek information, including best practices, tools and techniques that will generate new ideas
• shows good judgment about which ideas should be explored based on good analysis/assessment
• inspire co-workers to create an environment where diversity is valued/respected

Teamwork

The employee who demonstrates the value of Teamwork puts the team's success ahead of personal achievement. This person takes the time to help develop and understand the team's objectives and game plan, and supports co-workers to ensure the team meets its goals. Teamwork for this person is not just within the department, but within the entire Company.

Behaviours

• initiates and supports teamwork across departments when appropriate, to create a competitive advantage
• understands and manages group dynamics as team leader or member
• participates actively in the development of team goals and plans
• shares relevant information and ideas with the team and across other groups as appropriate
• values diversity and recognizes the contributions of others
• effectively listens
• removes barriers to team effectiveness
• supports final team decisions

Excellence

The employee who demonstrates the value of Excellence consistently goes the distance on every project and every task. This person sets the standard for performance and still constantly seeks ways to improve.

Behaviours

• critiques own performance and, when appropriate, changes work methods as a means of self-improvement
• sets challenging performance standards
• takes ownership of work issues and holds self accountable to achieve goals
• makes quick, quality decisions that add value to the business
• demonstrates a sense of urgency and speed, and a bias toward action and results
• creates opportunities and solves problems
• demonstrates and communicates flexibility and confidence in a climate of uncertainty
• maintains a positive attitude in difficult circumstances
• designs/adapts work processes to minimize bureaucracy

Employee Fulfillment

The employee who demonstrates the value of Employee Fulfillment recognizes that people have a need to grow as human beings, to expand their horizons and to meet new challenges. This individual champions co-workers, empowering personal growth through coaching, mentoring, and by endorsing their training and development activities. As well, this employee actively advances his or her own development and constantly seeks new challenges.

Behaviours

Developing Yourself

• manages own career by continuously enhancing skill set to meet current and foreseeable job needs
• seeks feedback from others on impact of own actions
• demonstrates support of co-workers' development
• effectively adapts to change

Coaching Others

• encourages employees to take charge of their own career
• supports employees in reaching their full potential by coaching, mentoring and supporting development plans
• provides ongoing direct and constructive feedback; ensures gaps are identified and continually improved upon
• provides others with appropriate autonomy, resources and support; provides help without taking away accountability
• positively challenges people to surpass themselves and develop their skills
• treats non-recurring mistakes as a learning opportunity, to encourage risk-taking

Integrity

The employee who demonstrates the value of Integrity understands the importance of fairness, honesty, and uncompromising ethics.

Behaviours

• demonstrates fairness and respect for co-workers, customers, the organization and the community
• demonstrates a commitment to health and safety and applies the Occupational Health and Safety policy at all times
• shows pride in the organization and acts as an ambassador in dealings with external stakeholders
• follows through on commitments
• shows respect for others even when under pressure
• respects confidentiality
• understands and adheres to the Company Code of Business Ethics
• provides open, timely and constructive feedback in a way that maintains others' self esteem
• willingly and openly admits to mistakes or errors
• does not ignore breaches of integrity in others

Community Commitment

The employee who demonstrates the value of Community Commitment understands the importance of community involvement in the overall quality of life. The employee recognizes the cultural diversity of our northern communities and the strengths therein. Inherent in this is the knowledge that Northwestel is an important part of the community as a whole. The employee always acts in the best interests of the Company while respecting those in the community.

Behaviours

• employee participation in the life of the community
• employee contributions to the community
• value cultural diversity
• demonstrates a commitment to the environment
• demonstrates social responsibility which may involve volunteer activities in support of the community