Why equity in the workplace will underpin future success

Global in nature and diverse by design, NTT is working hard to continue to be a pioneer in the industry and create a space where everyone can belong and thrive. Zellah Fuphe , Chief Risk and Sustainability Officer, tells us, ‘Having a diverse and inclusive company leads to an environment where individuals feel valued, belonging and respected - which leads to innovation and collaboration.’

Equity contributes to a company’s performance in many ways. Miriam Murphy , NTT Europe CEO, states, ‘Diversity of thought and enablement through equity can open new doors to new opportunities and drive a culture of innovation’.

Empowered employees perform at their best?

Companies can no longer sit back while the world changes around them. Instead, we need to take an active role in creating diverse, inclusive, and equitable spaces.?

All over the world, we’re trusted to connect data, things and people in ways that transform and improve business, society, and the planet. And because of our global footprint, Miriam says that ‘We have the opportunity, and frankly, the responsibility, to drive change and shape attitudes with regards to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) as well.’?

Especially for a business like NTT, which operates across four continents, and in a highly competitive landscape, long-term success requires a diverse set of skills, experience and world views. A diverse and inclusive company attracts critical and scarce talent, creates a culture where individuals feel valued and respected, and leads to an environment of innovation and collaboration.

‘Equity is about being intentional about creating a diverse (representation) and inclusion (culture, policies, opportunity and access, communication, symbols, attitudes and behaviors)’ are critical, says Zellah. ‘All of these things foster belonging, which is necessary for the betterment and sustainability of the company.’

‘As NTT, we need to champion our leadership position in the DE&I discourse, specifically by stating a commitment to creating an equitable workplace: setting bold targets, communicating the targets; executing on our DEI strategy, monitoring progress and course correcting where traction is less than what we desire. This will contribute to us winning in the market - from a growth perspective and in the war for talent.’

Equity is intrinsic to business resilience

Equity in the workplace creates inclusion, which helps everybody feels comfortable to contribute their perspective and ideas. This leads to better decision-making and improved problem solving as it creates a culture of trust and respect which improves employee engagement.

Explains Miriam, ‘In turn this extends to relationships with customers and suppliers because employee satisfaction is proven to deliver higher customer satisfaction. It is a direct contribution to lower attrition in both the employee and client bases. That’s why we empower all employees at NTT in equal measure, to make an impact both in and outside of our organization. Everyone has a personal development plan and regular performance and development reviews.’

‘Furthermore’, Miriam continues, ‘With a significant gap globally in available talent, accessing new talent pools and markets is crucial to increase resilience and competitiveness. At NTT, we’re creating geographical diversity for employees by opening offices around the world, investing in Centers of Excellence, and providing access to specialized resources in markets where there are greater talent pools.’

Driving collaboration, innovation, and continual business growth

With clear, informed and deliberate DE&I strategies, supported by measurable execution plans, companies can ensure they tap into the gifts that all employees bring.

NTT Ltd’s Global CEO, Abhijit Dubey, has more than doubled the gender diversity of NTT’s executive leadership team, which also comprises different races and nationalities. Abhijit has also supported the creation of NTT’s HerStory program, a thriving internal initiative that supports women in advancing their careers with coaching and sponsorship.

‘The HerStory program is a great example of the DEI message we’re amplifying internally and externally’, says Zellah. ‘It was launched two years ago and it is steadily expanding as previous cohorts pay it forward to the next group of participants.’

Ultimately, if we are to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible at NTT, we need to ensure that our culture is conducive to innovation and creativity. An equitable workplace, where everybody feels valued, respected, and a true sense of belonging, is key to that.

‘With diversity of thought and enablement through equity, we open the doors to new opportunities and drive a culture of innovation’, Miriam concludes. ‘This is how we will access wider talent pools, build more resilience in our workforce, and continue finding new ways to fulfill our mission of using technology for good.’

Here you can make your mark . Here you can #EmbraceEquity .