In the evolving landscape of the modern workplace, there’s an inspiring shift towards building organizations that embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion. This isn’t just a trend; it’s a powerful force that cultivates strong trust and reliability among employees. Forward-thinking companies like Datamatics Business Solutions Limited (DBSL) are placing a premium on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) because they’ve discovered it to be the catalyst for enhanced performance, innovation, increased customer satisfaction, better decision-making, and higher levels of employee engagement.
For businesses aiming to fortify their brand as an employer of choice, to attract as well as retain top talent, investing in DEI is not merely an optional extra in the realm of Human Resources. Instead, it stands as a fundamental and indispensable business imperative where every individual is not just included but truly valued for their unique contributions.
Datamatics embarked on its journey towards promoting gender diversity with a clear understanding of the multifaceted benefits it brings to the workplace. Chief Human Resources Officer Loly Vadassery says, “Recognizing that innovation and creativity thrive in diverse environments, we were motivated to incorporate a wide range of ideas and viewpoints, fostering a more innovative and creative atmosphere.”
Loly furthers that research indicates that organizations with greater gender diversity tend to outperform others aligned with their vision. The belief that a mix of talents and skills from individuals of different genders contributes to increased productivity and efficiency propelled the company’s commitment to gender diversity.
Fostering Gender Equality
By embracing gender diversity, they significantly expanded their talent pool, ensuring equal opportunities for all genders. This strategic move enabled the organization to attract and retain a diverse and skilled workforce, contributing to overall growth and success.
Datamatics, serving diverse customer bases, understood the importance of reflecting this diversity internally. Having a workforce that mirrors the diversity of customers enhances understanding of their needs and preferences, resulting in improved products, services, and marketing strategies.
The company also recognized that gender diversity contributes to a more inclusive and supportive work environment. Valuing and respecting employees regardless of gender leads to higher job satisfaction, increased engagement, and improved morale. This approach has translated into a remarkable gender ratio of 45:55 (female to male), positioning Datamatics as a leader in the industry and reinforcing its commitment to a workplace that thrives on diversity and equality.
Thus, widely famed Datamatics has emerged as one of India’s Ten Great Places to Work for Women. Sharing the guiding philosophy that has propelled her organization’s success in every regard, Loly says, “As an equal opportunity employer, we have always believed in giving all genders equal opportunities in the workplace.” She adds that flexible work arrangements, mentorship programs, and a dedication to a safe workplace contribute to their success. They actively invest in professional development, recognizing the importance of empowering women at every career stage. “This accolade reflects our philosophy of creating a workplace where everyone, regardless of gender, feels valued, supported, and can thrive.”
‘We Care for Our People’
The business landscape is continually evolving. Yet, Datamatics ensures that it remains flexible with working arrangements offered for employees, especially women, such as remote work, flexible hours, or compressed workweeks and freedom of embracing diversity. “Our philosophy is simple: ‘We take care of our people, and the people take care of the business.’ With this mantra, we’ve established a range of support systems to empower our team to make choices and contribute their best efforts,” informs Loly.
Flexibility is key to the firm’s approach. Whether remote working, hybrid models, or complete work-from-home options, the leadership league, including Loly, prioritizes providing their team with the flexibility they need to balance personal and professional commitments.
Loly adds, “Understanding the importance of family life, especially for women, we’ve implemented relaxed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) with a 30 to 40% relaxation for those entering motherhood.” This ensures meaningful contributions without compromising family responsibilities.
For crucial family moments, they offer sabbaticals for women, demonstrating their commitment to supporting their team during pivotal life stages. These initiatives not only retain valuable talent but also cultivate a culture of trust, flexibility, and understanding.
Igniting Women Leadership
Loly’s leadership style is often recognized as a driving force behind Datamatics’ specific policies or programs to support a healthy work-life balance for women, such as childcare facilities, wellness programs, or mental health support. Shedding light on her approach to leadership and team building within the organization, she says that as a company, they have been very flexible when it comes to crafting and designing programs that not just support healthy work-life balance, but their approach has been to carve out Wholistic programs such as well-being programs for mental and emotional well-being; “We launched a ‘We Care’ initiative which was a huge hit when it came to giving the people a platform where they can speak of their concerns both personal and we have got people who are NLP Practitioners working with us who have been able to alleviate many of the emotional problems that people face.” Their flagship leadership development program, IGNITE, has been very transformational.
IGNITE program is a pioneering Multi-Ownership Management Development initiative, impacting 384 leaders over 12K training hours. It involves shared accountability from Training, Operations, and HR, aligning learning with business realities. IGNITE 1.0 and IGNITE 2.0 offer tailored interventions for Frontline to Mid-level and Upper Mid-level leadership, featuring a 3-level evaluation approach.
The ‘iRise Leadership Coaching Program’ identifies and nurtures leadership potential through a rigorous selection process and a comprehensive coaching curriculum led by seasoned mentors and industry experts.
Empowering Her Rise
The essence of a diversified workplace lies in a diversity and inclusion policy in place. Datamatics ensures equal opportunities and pay parity for women in the workplace with its commitment to fostering a diverse workplace and maintaining a robust diversity and inclusion policy. “With a gender diversity ratio of 45:55, we pride ourselves on having one of the best in the industry. Importantly, we ensure equal opportunities for all, irrespective of gender,” says Loly, adding that at every level within the organization, they uphold a firm commitment to pay parity, reflecting their dedication to fairness and inclusivity. This strengthens their workforce and contributes to a more vibrant and equitable workplace culture.
Highlighting a transformative project that showcases Datamatics’ commitment to excellence and innovation from the women well-represented in leadership positions, including at the executive and board levels, Loly says that in the narrative of Datamatics’ accomplishments, a noteworthy chapter unfolds under the banner of ‘EmpowerHERise.’
This comprehensive effort integrates leadership development, mentorship, and sponsorship programs, creating a structured pathway for women to reach executive and board positions confidently. Under the guidance of women leaders, it establishes policies promoting gender diversity, work-life balance, and inclusive leadership practices, cultivating a culture where diversity is actively embraced. The success of ‘EmpowerHERise’ reflects Datamatics’ dedication to shaping a professional environment where women are empowered, showcasing the organization as a hub for excellence and innovation in the enterprise shared services sector.
Tech-Infused Equilibrium
According to Loly, in the expansive landscape of diversification, technology like Datamatics’ Learning Management System emerges as the silent architect, shaping a workplace that optimises efficiency and resonates emotionally as a haven for women. She adds, “Our strategic embrace of these technologies reflects a heartfelt commitment to crafting a hybrid workplace culture that feels like home for every woman.”
Automation plays a pivotal role in building a flexible work-life culture, empowering women to determine their working hours and align professional responsibilities with their roles as caregivers, mothers, and homemakers. This commitment signifies Datamatics’ recognition of women’s multifaceted roles in society and family.
Technology is a gentle enabler, simplifying tasks and fostering collaboration, allowing remarkable women the freedom to channel their brilliance into meaningful contributions. “Through these tech platforms, we weave a tapestry of seamless communication and shared knowledge, creating a space where every woman feels not just heard but deeply valued,” states Loly.
Equal-in-Workplace
The workforce is the cornerstone of any successful organization. Believing in this philosophy, Datamatics is deeply committed to fostering professional growth, particularly for women. Initiatives like iRise, a coaching cohort program, emphasize soft skills and leadership. The company supports continuous learning through online courses, workshops, and personalized career development plans. Inclusive leadership programs and Employee Resource Groups tailored for women create a supportive network, complemented by formal mentorship and strategic sponsorship initiatives designed to propel women’s careers. Datamatics invests in specialized leadership development programs addressing unique challenges faced by women, resulting in a gender equality ratio of 45:55 (female to male), one of the best in the industry.
Women in Charge
As a leader on India’s industrial horizon, Datamatics has faced its share of adversities. Loly mentions that amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Datamatics, a key player in India’s enterprise-shared services, underwent a transformative shift with women leading the charge. Recognizing their resilience, women across diverse roles spearheaded initiatives crucial for navigating uncertainties. In marketing and communication, women leaders ensured transparent strategies, reinforcing trust. The HR team, led by Loly and her other female colleagues, prioritized employee well-being with flexible arrangements and mental health support, showcasing Datamatics’ inclusive approach during the crisis. Datamatics’ successful transition reflects gender-inclusive leadership’s resilience and transformative power during adversity.
Ensuring an All-Inclusive Tomorrow
Looking to the future, Datamatics’ vision is set. Loly says that in their overall employee engagement scores, which have stood at an average of 91% yearly since 2020, women’s positive responses are at 90%. Datamatics thus envisions a future where it serves as an exemplar of transformative change in India’s workplace diversity landscape. “Specifically focusing on women, we’ve crafted a strategy showcasing unwavering commitment to inclusivity and excellence.”
This innovative approach involves policies championing equal opportunities, work-life balance, and targeted career advancement for women. Loly furthers that recognizing women’s invaluable contributions fosters a culture of continuous learning through comprehensive training programs addressing gender disparities.
Central to their vision is cultivating a diverse leadership cadre. Initiatives like Women’s Leadership Development Programs and impactful mentorship actively shape a diversity-centric leadership narrative. “We engage in external partnerships aligning with our mission, supported by measurable goals, transparent reporting, and Women’s Employee Resource Groups.”
Loly concludes, “We aren’t just envisioning change; we’re making it happen, setting the stage for a future where workplace diversity and empowerment are enduring realities.”
For more information, please visit https://www.datamaticsbpm.com/.