DE&I in the workplace: Telecom resources, strategies & statistics

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DE&I in the workplace: Telecom resources, strategies & statistics

Over the last few years, there has been an increasing concern over diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. In fact, the pandemic exacerbated the already uneven work equity gaps and women’s jobs were more vulnerable to the crisis than men’s jobs.?

On the plus side, this has placed DE&I at the top of the agenda for the world’s companies to work on. This is not only improving the workplace culture, wellbeing of employees and overall health of the community, but it’s increasing the chance of success. For example, by:?

• Boosting employee performance
• Closing the skills gap?
• Yielding higher revenue?
• Benchmarking you against competitors

Diversity and inclusion workplace statistics to know:?

• 48% of Gen-Zs are racial or ethnic minorities…and Gen-Zs are the future!?
• Diverse companies enjoy 2.5x higher cash flow per employee?
• Diverse management has been shown to increase revenue by 19%?
• 3 in 4 job seekers and workers prefer diverse companies?
• Corporations identified as more diverse and inclusive are 35% more likely to outperform their competitors
• Diverse companies are 70% more likely to capture new markets

Resources: Builtin, McKinsey, BCG, HBR?

Overcoming DE&I challenges & where to start?

These are a few changes that will be expected this year and onwards:?

• Flexible workplace: Hybrid
• Improved DE&I reporting practices??
• Diversity hiring at leadership level will take centre stage?
• Coaching front-line managers
• Reducing bias in talent development and promotion
• Measuring and evaluating diversity and representation across the board?

The rollout of any strategy will always come with challenges; the main thing is to identify what they are and develop solutions to help you move past them.

WeRecruit has outlined 3 main barriers to equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace and how you can start to combat them.?

• Lack of budget: Do your research and build a solid business case. Consider what metrics you will track and look into organisations who have implemented DEI initiatives. * TM Forum launched the world’s first D&I scoring system so that you can keep track of your efforts.??
• Lack of support: Communication is key when it comes to rolling out any new initiatives in the workplace.
• Lack of tools: If you’re able to tap into the budget for your DE&I efforts, allocating a portion towards #HR or recruitment software with DE&I functionality would be a very good choice.

Developing a DE&I strategy: Research

The good news is, there is now an abundance of DE&I strategies, resources and leaders that have made enough headway to help steer you in the right direction.?

We have pulled together a few resources from the #telcoindustry to get you started.?

Resources from TM Forum, Vodafone, BT Group:?

• * TM Forum 's world first D&I scoring system | Catch our interview with Vicky Sleight who was the key driver of this initiative.
• How to develop a diversity and inclusion programme for your business, by Vodafone
• Diversity & Inclusion Report 2022, by 英国电信集团 ?
• ‘We Are Vodafone’ podcast sharing the experiences of Vodafone people. Rubi K. and Karen Smith chat about the impact that technology can have on fairness and inclusivity. Watch here

Strong telco strategies, to list just a few:?

• Virgin Media ’s ‘All In’ plan?
• 爱立信 's pledge to provide digital learning access to 1mn children by 2025?
• Verizon ’s 10 employee resource groups
• Deutsche Telekom ’s ‘Connected As One’ Diversity Policy (Video)
• 诺基亚 ’s Inclusion Survey?and I&D strategy
• 英国电信集团 ’s Executive Committee and its Executive Sponsors for ‘People Networks’?

Good news: the telco industry are making strides in DE&I?

• Verizon : 59.7% employees are women or people of colour in their US workforce // 7 of 11 board members are women or racially or ethnically diverse // 100% pay equity in salary for women and men?
• 诺基亚 ’s most recent Inclusion Survey showed that the overall inclusion experience in the company is improving year on year, with 80% of employees believing Nokia’s de&i efforts are positively impacting the company’s culture.
• Telecel Ghana received the ‘Top Employer’ by the Top Employer Institute, commending HR director Hannah Ashiokai Akrong ?
• Vodafone received the ‘Diversity in Tech’ outstanding achievement GlOMO Award at the Mobile World Congress Barcelona event. #MWC22
• T-Mobile : 50% of equity in action promises achieved // 60% employees are people of colour // 41% of employees identify as women // $20.2m invested in employee tuition assistance?

Below are some related reports which take a deep dive into DE&I, focusing on companies, partnerships and leaders who are making a difference to their people, community and company.?

Related reports:?

T-Mobile : Bridging gaps for a more inclusive tech industry, with Edwige A. Robinson , Senior VP of Network Engineering and Operations?

TP : The complexities of inclusion & supply, with Diana Monterrubio , Procurement Global Strategic Director?

TM Forum : Driving diversity and inclusion, with Vicky Sleight , Global Director, Human Factor Diversity and Inclusion Council?

Liberty Global : Prioritising innovation and inclusion, with Gavin Sheldon , Managing Director for Technology Development?

Conclusion: Telco industry setting the pace for positive change

DE&I is both a global and industry-wide topic, and there is a long way to go in order to make the world a more equitable environment. Companies need to form a business plan for DE&I in the workplace to be successful which covers communication, education, training, metrics, goals, HR, associations and budget.

This being said, the telecommunications industry is making strides in DE&I and we expect the movement to strengthen considerably over the next year.

A proud moment for Mobile Magazine Editor, Josephine

"In our January Edition of Mobile Magazine this year I've had the opportunity to speak to some of the industry's most influential pioneers, including Lisa Schwarz, Helena Nimmo and Edwige A. Robinson?? Senior Vice President for T-MOBILE??, just to name a handful.

I'm particularly proud of this issue, as it is a real showcase of the growing influence of women in tech. In fact, I didn't actually set out to create a women in tech-led issue - I actually only realised just how many women we were featuring when I saw the mag in its final version.

That was a really proud moment. For me, it really speaks to how quickly the sector is developing, and how successfully DE&I initiatives are paying off.

If you do give it a read, I'd be delighted to hear your thoughts."

Says Josephine Walbank , Editor of Mobile Magazine.

Exclusive interview with: CEO of Colt

Keri Gilder , CEO of Colt Technology Services and one of only 5 female CEOs in the telco sector?

Keri is leading the company’s Diversity Council to ensure Colt is a business where “everyone feels they can bring their true selves to work”. She is also working to create an Inclusion and Diversity Standard (IDS) in her role as chair of TM Forum ’s Diversity Inclusion Council.

“What we need is to get diverse employees in leadership positions where they own the technology direction and own a very strategic part of the business,” said Gilder, who has a 50% representation of gender on the Colt leadership team.

Read the interview.

Trailblazer: Edwige Robinson, T-Mobile?

Keri Gilder is one of many leaders in the telco industry who are passionate about driving DE&I in the workplace and beyond. Edwige A. Robinson , Senior VP of T-Mobile , has also been doing her part.

So much so, Edwige is recognised as an influential leader and trailblazer in the sector for inclusion, #5G and innovation.?

As a huge supporter of gender inclusivity in the workplace, Edwige sits on several Advisory Boards driving #STEM education to underserved communities. She serves on the Board of Directors of A Little Bit of Hope and 4Girls 4Change, with responsibility to drive strategy, programming and capacity building.

“Here at T-Mobile, in addition to being part of a team driving innovation and network transformation, one of my passions is to help women enter into the tech field. Not just to come in, but to stay and to succeed,” explains Robinson.?

Read the interview // Read the full report.?

Top 10 Women Leading the Telecommunications Sector?

In 2022, Mobile Magazine recognised 10 women leading the telecommunications and technology sectors, looking at executives from AT&T , Three UK , Verizon Business , Verizon and others.?Discover the list.

Don't forget: Sign up to the weekly newsletter and stay up to date with our Top 10 lists for 2023. ??

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T-Mobile: Bridging gaps for a more inclusive tech industry

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