“The recruiting executive told me that I would be given the freedom to run the department however I believe is the best. Can you imagine what a luxury that is to a professional? And what kind of trust and empowerment that is? And TTI kept that promise! Since then, I have interviewed and brought on many excellent people to my teams, and I always say to our candidates that they will have no idea what they are going to miss if they choose not to join us!” Said Sharon Li Xu, Senior VP of Facilities Operations and Project Management at Techtronic Industries (TTI).
With more than three decades of experience spanning diverse industries and functions, including journalism, global sourcing, and internal audit, Sharon brings a wealth of expertise to her role at TTI. Since joining TTI in 2009 as the leader of their North American Internal Audit (IA) department, Sharon quickly made significant contributions to the company’s success where she was promoted to Global Head of Internal Audit. Fast forwarding to 2021, Sharon was promoted to Senior VP of Group Operational Controls and Process Improvement (OCPI), responsible for driving operational excellence globally and spearheading OCPI department. Her exceptional leadership skills and business acumen quickly earned her another promotion to Senior VP of Facilities Operations and Project Management where she oversees and manages all business units and functions in Asia. Sharon’s contributions have played a critical role in TTI’s status as a world leader in cordless technology, making her an integral part of the organization’s continued success.
TTI is an organization that truly embodies its values and is dedicated to making a positive impact in the world. Their mission is to provide quality products that meet the needs of consumers, professionals, and industrial users in a variety of industries, including home, construction, maintenance, industrial, and infrastructure. The company is committed to innovation, doing the right thing, treating each other with integrity and respect, building strong & trusted relationships, giving back, encouraging an innovative spirit, and exceeding customer expectations.
“You can find similar wording as above on many company websites, but,” Sharon emphasized, “at TTI these values are not just words on a page; they are implemented and lived by every employee at all levels.”
TTI is known for its focus on Operational Excellence. Sharon shared that their focus on Operational Excellence is evident in the detailed and analytical processes that focus on delivering the highest quality products through the most demanding engineered measurement and testing systems. The company has linked its new product development with operations, closely examining every detail from design engineering to supply chain logistics. This approach allows the company to eliminate waste, utilize resources, and improve productivity, resulting in faster time-to-market and greater customer satisfaction.
Sharon’s passion for eliminating waste and utilizing resources to their fullest potential is evident in her approach to TTI’s test center in Asia. “I was excited when I first visited our test center in Asia; there was a plethora of opportunities to make an impact,” Sharon said. “I grew up in a very poor family and formed a frugal habit, so the first thing that came to mind was how we can surely cut waste and utilize all testing materials to the fullest!” She added, “We want to eliminate waste wherever possible, and that’s why OCPI exists.” Sharon is dedicated to demonstrating how committed TTI is to quality, while relentlessly cutting true waste.
According to Sharon, “Operational Excellence is the engine that provides the power to our innovation. This is a never-ending commitment by TTI.” She emphasized that TTI fosters a culture where every employee is encouraged to think critically, and continuously strive to improve processes. Sharon explained that this culture of Operational Excellence is not just a set of guidelines, but a fundamental aspect of TTI’s approach to business. By prioritizing Operational Excellence, TTI can stay ahead of the competition and continuously improve its products and services.
Sharon highlighted that the successful implementation of TTI’s commitment to Operational Excellence can be attributed in large part to the pervasive ‘can-do’ and ‘will-do’ attitude demonstrated at all levels of the organization. This attitude fosters a sense of ownership and accountability among employees, which ultimately benefits the company and its customers.
Another key aspect of TTI’s culture is the investment in its Exceptional People. The very successful Leadership Development Program (LDP) is a prime example of this. As Sharon said, “At TTI, we invest heavily in developing current and future leaders. The LDP program was initiated and spearheaded by our CEO. Its huge success inspired the subsequent Sales and Marketing Leadership Development Program (LDP), the Finance Leadership Development Program (FLDP), and the Engineering Leadership Development Program (ELDP). These programs are not only testaments of our commitment to our Exceptional People but also designed to serve as TTI’s talent pool and leadership pipeline.” Sharon added enthusiastically, “We have management in all levels and all functions from these programs, from Global President to department heads, from sales and marketing to finance and engineering.” These programs are the core of TTI’s innovative workforce that provides the tools, resources, and experience needed to encourage individuals to grow professionally and personally. Decades of industry knowledge are passed down through these programs to cultivate the future leaders who drive their high-performance culture.
Sharon mentioned the qualities that would make a potential candidate successful at TTI. “The success factor at TTI is the passion for excellence where good enough is never good enough; the can-do and whatever-it-takes attitude, the critical thinking and communication skills, and work ethics and teamwork. I am not talking about personalities such as extroverts or introverts, bubbly people, or quiet people. It’s the attitude, the caring about what one does, and striving to do one’s best with the best intentions. If one has these attributes, they will be successful at TTI as there are so many opportunities and constant need for all kinds of talents.” Sharon added, “If you know anyone who values this type of culture, and wants to achieve their full potential, please refer them our way!”
Throughout the entirety of the interview, it was evident that Sharon’s unparalleled passion for TTI was driven by the organization’s unique culture of trust and empowerment. This culture serves as the key synergy that enables TTI’s four strategic drivers to work in seamless harmony, ultimately fueling the company’s disruptive innovation and exceptional execution. As Sharon aptly stated, “Despite our size, TTI operates like a smaller organization, enabling us to be nimble, flexible, and execute with speed and agility.” The unwavering commitment to TTI’s culture of trust and empowerment sets it apart from its peers and serves as a cornerstone of its continued success.
