The Power of Diversity in Tech

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Statistics show that diverse companies experience better results.

Diversity is a potent tool for business growth.

You might be thinking: how is this new info? ??

It's not.

We have a long way to go though.

So we need to keep raising this topic.

To become aware.

So we can work towards a change.

In this week's edition I invited two people to share their perspective on the importance of diversity in tech.

Let's dive in!

Meet Nurasyl

Tell us about yourself

I'm Nurasyl, CEO and Founder of RemoFirst .

How has your background as a tech founder from Kazakhstan influenced your approach to building companies and working in the tech industry?

My background has certainly influenced my approach to building companies, as it has emphasised the value of diverse perspectives and the importance of building a strong remote work culture.

I truly believe that Freedom of Work is the Future of Work, and that the ability to work from anywhere (or hire talent from anywhere) is a critical advantage in today's global economy.

As a founder, I choose to prioritise flexibility and freedom in the way our team works.

Our team members can live and work from wherever they choose, and we encourage them to take advantage of a remote-first lifestyle.

How have you approached building a diverse and talented team in a remote work environment, particularly given the challenges of sourcing talent across borders and time zones?

We’ve built a diverse and talented team in a remote work environment through deliberate and purposeful hiring.

We prioritize sourcing talent from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, as we know how much value this brings to a team.

We've found that flexibility and a willingness to accommodate different time zones and work styles are key to building a successful remote team, and are happy to say our team now spans 14 countries and 15 time zones.

Do you have advice for other remote-first companies on fundraising?

When it comes to raising funding, it’s all in the numbers.

We knew we had a good product and solid team of people working to make this company a success, but when it came down to finding the right investors for our seed round, we knew we needed to show the results that proved why they should invest in us.

My advice for other founders looking to raise capital in a remote context is to be persistent and focus on delivering strong, impressive results.

..create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all team members.

What advice do you have for employers that are looking to build more diverse and inclusive teams?

Building a diverse and inclusive team requires intentional effort and a commitment to ongoing learning and improvement.

At Remofirst, we focus on building a culture of respect, empathy, and inclusion, and we actively seek out opportunities to learn from diverse perspectives.

My advice for employers is to prioritize these values from the top down, and to make a sustained and intentional effort to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all team members.

If you want to get in touch with Nurasyl, reach out to him here on LinkedIn.

Meet Cathy

Tell us about yourself

I'm Cathy, I’m a consultant and ICF-certified coach, with dual French/Senegalese heritage, who specialises in women's empowerment and in the inclusion of mothers in the workplace.

I come from a Tech background, and I firmly believe that until we create parent-friendly workplace cultures, gender balance and a better representation of women in leadership, will both remain out of reach for most organisations.

I founded Ga?ndéa, to ensure that women are recognized, supported and empowered in the workplace, as they go through the most challenging transition of their career; when they become parents.

..women only make up 27.5% of software engineers globally.

What's your view on diversity in tech?

Tech companies are increasingly recognising the need for - and benefit of - a diverse workforce.

But there is still a long way to go, even more so at the executive, founder and VC levels, where progress is very slow.

For example, women only make up 27.5% of software engineers globally.

And the numbers are even lower if we look at statistics based on race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or other identities and experiences in general.

What advice do you have for employers that are looking to build more diverse and inclusive teams?

A diversity strategy can’t be effective without also focusing on equity and inclusion.

There is no point in hiring diverse candidates if their unique perspectives and challenges aren’t considered.

Focus on creating a culture of listening, where curiosity, respect, and psychological safety are core principles.

Also, create accountability by effectively addressing toxic workplace practices or intolerant behaviours.

If you want to get in touch with me, reach out to [email protected]

Diversity fuels business growth.

And there's no doubt that we need to put more emphasis on this and be intentional about it.

Because we still have a long way to go ??

I would love to hear from you - please share your perspective and thoughts in the comments on how we can together work towards a more diverse tech industry.

See you next week ??

Hanna

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