Accenture's continuing research into the characteristics of high-performance business indicates that mastery of human performance processes and programmes enables companies to get maximum performance from their employees. Leveraging the diversity of Accenture's global workforce has been a critical success factor in our ability to operate effectively in 48 locations on six continents. Accenture has progressed beyond seeing diversity in simple black–and–white or numerical terms towards a subtler understanding of the nuances of culture, language, tradition, race, age, gender and religion that enrich our interaction with clients, employees and shareholders. "In South Africa, where employment equity and black economic empowerment are legal requirements, we are already fully compliant," says Louise Temkin, senior wxecutive responsible for knowledge management and research. "Because we have passed the stage of being representative, we have moved onto a more creative level where acceptance of diversity is embedded in our underlying ethics and change is happening more naturally." This progression is reflected in Accenture's approach to women's issues. "We remain committed to recruiting, retaining and advancing women but because Accenture is already representative, this is no longer the sole focus," Temkin says. "Instead, our emphasis is on creating more opportunities for women to connect and network, learn from one another, develop and enhance their skills and give back to communities." One vital channel for this is the Accenture Women's Forum. Initially established as an informal networking and support group, it has grown into a more established platform that facilitates access to female role models within the company and helps women develop life and work skills that can further their careers. "It has also acted for many as an expression forum where females can share experiences and specific hardships or challenges they face at work and at home, as a result of work," says Nicole Herbstein, a consultant in Accenture's Financial Services Operating Group and an active member of the Forum. "I think the business rationale behind this is the value that it adds to the job satisfaction of women at Accenture—even if small; small things can often make the world of difference," she says. "The value it adds is seen as a function of what the Forum offers to women—another development channel, an opportunity to interact with senior executives, an expression outlet, and a chance to get advice from people who have done it before. It also allows us to celebrate specific female events, such as International Women's Day with people from all over the world who work for the same company, thus creating a sense of community." Shortcut to:
International Woman's Day
Women in Conversation
Cell C's Take a Girl Child to Work Day
Women in Management and Business
Leaders at Every Level International Women's Day
On International Women's Day on 8 March 2005, Accenture created a global forum for women employees and clients to interact with each other by hosting a series of coordinated activities in 20 cities. The activities included a webcast that ran uninterrupted for 30 hours across 11 time zones, featuring stories from and about Accenture women worldwide. In South Africa, in addition to the webcast, activities included a panel discussion on women's issues, an image workshop for 30 non-executive women employees and a skills–transfer session for 34 unemployed women identified by the National Council of African Women. This session was held to equip the women with the job search skills required to market themselves to prospective employers. This included CV writing, the job application process, attending job interviews and negotiating and accepting a job offer. Local charities run by or benefiting women received hampers of food, clothing and books, all donated by Accenture staff. The beneficiaries included the National Council of African Women, which runs a home-care project for the terminally ill; Emthonjeni, a church-based HIV/AIDS programme; Women's Ukhanyo Community Project, a baking project for unemployed women; Bright Sight, which repairs eyeglasses for use by underprivileged people; and the Care Haven Shelter for abused women and children. "Having been actively involved in managing our International Women's Day initiative, I view the event as one where future generations of professional women are exposed to successful role models, and also an opportunity to ensure that valuable learnings and insights built up over one's career can be passed on," says Nikki Tyrer, senior executive, Accenture, Resources Operating Group. To Top Women in Conversation
After the excitement generated by Accenture's International Women's Day celebrations, the South African Accenture organisation clearly saw the benefits of creating regular opportunities for women in business to connect and network through a new initiative, Women in Conversation. Cheryl Carolus, longstanding ANC leader, was invited to speak at the first Women in Conversation gathering, held on 4 November 2005. She spoke about the challenges facing women in business in relation to her own experiences. Her provocative talk stimulated animated spin-off discussions among the guests, who were from within and outside Accenture, creating the atmosphere for these women to make both emotional and business connections. Owing to the success of the first Women in Conversation session, Accenture plans to host three to four of these events each year. To Top Cell C's Take a Girl Child to Work Day
Accenture is a participant in Cell C's annual "Take a Girl Child to Work Day," aimed at giving young girls insight into the corporate world and making them aware of the important role they can play in the economy. On 26 May 2005, Accenture hosted 100 girls at its offices in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria. After starting the day with breakfast, the young guests were given an overview of Accenture and the job opportunities available, followed by a careers workshop focusing on CV writing and job interview skills. The girls were invited to explore career opportunities through an interactive question–and–answer session with Accenture executives and consultants. The day ended with a mock job interview session giving the girls a feel for the real thing. To Top Women in Management and Business
Omobola Johnson, country managing director of Accenture in Nigeria, is the founding chairperson of Women in Management and Business (WIMBIZ), a Nigerian non-governmental organisation (NGO) established in 2001 by a group of 13 female executives and one man. Its vision is "to be the catalyst that elevates the profile and influence of women in management and business", Johnson says. Over the past four years, WIMBIZ has organised workshops, seminars, networking business meetings and annual conferences covering themes such as effective leadership, women as agents of change, networking and building business relationships, breaking the mould and the glass ceiling, mentoring and entrepreneurship. Speakers at WIMBIZ conferences have included Baroness Howells, member of the House of Lords in the United Kingdom, and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, minister of finance of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. "WIMBIZ has been hugely successful in raising the issues that women in the workforce face in Nigeria in a structured, organised and coherent manner," says Johnson. "We are working with organisations, and indeed the government and political system, to see how we can better deploy women to benefit the social and business development of the country. She says women who have attended WIMBIZ events have taken life–changing decisions simply by interacting with other women, seeing what is possible and knowing that they have a network of support to facilitate this move. "We do have a long way to go to increase the numbers of women in management and business, but we have made a good start and all in all are headed in the right direction." To Top Leaders at Every Level
At Accenture, the power to make a difference is not limited to people in executive positions. Dudu Mthemba is ample proof of that. Thanks to her, hundreds of township matriculants who faced a jobless future have acquired basic computer skills that have enhanced their prospects in the job market. In 1998, Mthemba, a knowledge base administrator in the Johannesburg office, saw many youths in her neighbourhood wandering the streets aimlessly. "They said they had no money for studies and could not find jobs," she says. "I saw that if we could help them with computer skills, it would help them find jobs." She approached her supervisor with her idea and the decision was made to create Siyathuthuka, which means "we are progressing." Accenture agreed to make its training and computer facilities available for Saturday classes in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel and, as well as an introduction to the Internet as well as CV writing and interview skills. Seven years on, Mthemba can call on 25 Accenture volunteers to help with the tutoring but she remains as involved as ever, faithfully devoting three out of four Saturdays a month to the project. Why does she do it? "Siyathuthuka is my vision, it's my child. Of all the students who have attended, about 75 percent are now working." To Top |