A Step Forward – The Global Diversity and Inclusion Summit 2018
Diversity and inclusion is a significant challenge for any organisation in today’s fast-moving world. Treating everyone fairly to nurture talent, imbuing the corporate culture with true inclusiveness and equality, bringing new services to an increasingly discerning diverse public is the goal of every organisation today. The world is fast recognising the value of Diversity and conversations on Inclusion as a core value.
Deliberating on this aspect, BW People with Ask Insights organised the Biggest Ever Global Diversity and Inclusion Summit with a distinct objective to address the ever-growing need of Diversity & Inclusion in the corporate world and across various other industry segments on 23rd February 2018 at The Leela Ambiance Convention Hotel.
Through thought-provoking insights, information, and perspectives, the summit covered organisational strategy, benchmarking assessments, gender, generational, cultural, LGBT, unconscious biases and disability in the field of diversity and inclusion.
The summit was packed with enticing, one-of-a-kind sessions that captivates the attendees and breaks the monotony. The sessions were carried out through various formats like panel discussions, skype, keynotes, and awards.
There were five panel discussions on challenges of senior women leaders, LGBTQ, the business case of hiring a person with disabilities and innovation in the Indian context. The host of panelists were from various corporations that came together and gave interesting viewpoints on the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The sessions were power packed with the theme to bring forth actionable insights for the audience.
The keynote address was followed by John Gray (Author of Men are from Mars Women are from Venus), via skype, explained gender differences in the modern world. He discussed ways men can serve women and how the needs of modern men and women changed.
Jennifer Brown (President and CEO, Jennifer Brown Consulting), shared her vast knowledge and experience in diversity and inclusion. She well understands the importance of relationship building in challenging micro-inequities, thereby impacting positive change and improving organisational productivity. This change so acquired leads to genuine appreciation and the courage to step out of one’s comfort zone when expanding one’s circle in order to truly live as harbingers of positive change, enhancing teamwork.
The first panel was regarding engaging Global Leaders in the culture of Inclusion. Rajdeep Datta Gupta (CFO, PepsiCo India), Vineet Jain (Head Knowledge GDS, EY), Richa Singh (CEO Phillips Healthcare @ Home) were the panelist for this session.
The agenda of second-panel discussion were challenges of senior women leaders. The panel included Hiroo Mirchandani (Independent Director on corporate boards, Nandini Chatterjee (Chief Communications Officer, PwC), Mayuri Mukherjee (Marketing Head, South Asia, Nestle), B. Balasubramanian (Partner and Diversity Leader, Deloitte). The panel was moderated by Niru Kumar (Founder, Ask Insights).
The third-panel discussion was about LGBTQ. Monish Malhotra (CEO & Founder, Silver Monkey Communications), Keshav Suri (Executive Director, The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group), Nitin Shukla (Fellow of The Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists) were the panelist. The panel was moderated by Jennifer Brown (President & CEO, Jennifer Brown Consulting).
Shveta Verma (Chief of Staff Global Diversity & Inclusion, PwC) spoke about various aspects of global diversity and inclusion in India.
The fourth-panel discussion was regarding the business case of hiring people with disabilities. The panelist includes Akanksha Arora (Director HR, Yum Foods), Anil Jain (HOD, P.K. Sethi (Rehabilitation Center, SDM Hospital, Jaipur), Madhu Sharma (Concentrix). Nipun Malhotra (Co-Founder & CEO, Nipman Foundation) was the moderator for this panel.
Naval Kishore remarked about technology that can drive success in a diverse environment.
Farah Qureshi opened the discussion about business benefits of promoting diversity and inclusion. She added that in an era when firms face complex challenges and geopolitical shifts, diversity is seen as an enabler – a way to succeed in an evolving marketplace. It's fast becoming a strategic priority.
The last panel discussion was regarding diversity and inclusion innovation carried out by Indian companies. Clement Chauvet (Chief Skill & Business Development, UNDP), Anant Garg (India HR Director, Eli Lilly), Harshita Chaudhary (Corporate Talent Manager South Asia Region, Nestle), Rohini Seth (VP National HR Operations, Personnel & HR Diageo India) were the panelist. The moderator for this panel was Shriram Venkatraman (Assistant Professor IIITD).
The summit was slated to bring together CEO's, HR Head's, CXO's, and Global Diversity Thought Leaders from the UK, US, and Australia.
The panel discussions were followed by an awards ceremony to acknowledge and reward the individuals and organisations championing diversity in the workplace. The winners were validated and picked by the jury that comprises of the finest minds across diverse sectors. Panel of jury included Niru Kumar (Founder Director, Ask Insights ) , Anil Jain (Head of the Department – PK, Sethi Rehabilitation Centre S.D.M Hospital), Debi S Saini (Emeritus Professor –HRM Indian Institute of Management , Ranchi ), M.S Bhatia (Director Professor and Head of Psychiatry University College of Medical Sciences Delhi University), Gurdeep S.Hora (APAC Leader and Managing Director IRC Global Executive Search Partners), Malini Priya (Talent and Business Operations Leader , EY), Manu Dangi (Country Head , Evalueserve), Rupesh Tripathi (Head of HR ,India, IHS Markit) and Kanta Singh (State Project Head UNDP). The selection of awards become authentic to the rich eminent jury.
Gender Equality in Workplace Award was given to Schneider Electric India. KFC India won Social Mobility Award. Hindalco Industries limited was awarded in the category Cultural & Linguistic Diversity. Concentrix Daksh Services India Pvt. Ltd bagged Disability Employment Award. SAP Labs India received Diverse Company of the Year Award. Eli Lilly and Company India Pvt. Ltd got Innovative Best Practices Award. Nestlé India Ltd received Start of D&I Initiatives Award. CEO for Diversity & Inclusion Award was received by P.H Vijaya Dept, CEO –Tata Insights and Quants. MakeMyTrip.com, TATA SIA Limited got Early Achiever Award.
This initiative will motivate and encourage the role of Diversity & Inclusion at workplaces in India. The award ceremony was followed up by cocktails.
Indeed a memorable day for all those who were there!
We will see you again in 2019.
