Analog Folk

Wonder Women in Tech

Our London Tech Week ended on a high with a packed-out house at the Wonder Women in Tech one day conference. Now in its second year in London, having had phenomenal success in Washington DC, Wonder Women in Tech aims to highlight, celebrate and educate women and the underrepresented innovators and leaders in STEAM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Arts, Maths). Our very own Miguel Alvarez, director of technology services, hosted a panel discussing how companies can build inclusive cultures, to ensure employees feel included, feel safe, and can be their authentic selves. Miguel explains the importance of sharing in these discussions: “I am originally from Costa Rica where the technology industry is 50/50 female male split, so I was shocked by the UK gender split of 17% female, 83% male, in technology. This needs to change. And events such as this help create the important conversation and necessary actions to create a true gender equal industry. At AnalogFolk, we put inclusivity at the front of our Folk agenda, and this is why I am here. I’m honoured to speak to these incredible individuals and I feel grateful to lead this open and inclusive discussion.” The ‘Building Inclusive Cultures’ panel was made up of four inspiring individuals who shared their experiences and their expertise in how companies can build an inclusive culture: Sinead Bunting, VP, European Marketing at Monster, Rioch Edwards-Brown, Founder of So You Wanna Be In TV?, Simi Awokoya, Technical Evangelist & Founder of Witty Careers and Izzy Obeng, Founder and Director of Foundervine. img_5561 Charly Fisher, HR & Talent director of AnalogFolk London reflects on the event: Why is diversity and inclusivity important? Well, it just is. We cannot continue to live and work in a world of inequality. I heard a simple way of explaining the difference between diversity and inclusivity: Diversity is being asked to the party, and inclusivity is being asked to dance. Essentially, you can have a diverse workforce but if the workforce does not feel valued, respected, or empowered to be themselves, it won’t be an environment that cultivates, supports or nurtures the diverse individuals it has. Big problem! So how can we overcome this? The four inspirational panel members shared their advice on how to build inclusive cultures, the barriers they have faced, and their suggestions to help companies succeed: to drive an inclusive culture everyone needs to own it and be part of it, it cannot be something that one or a few people own peer group role models are significant in influencing culture and offering support at all levels because they can generate conversations learning from Generation Z’s who have been born into a world where equality is firmly on the agenda - they know about diversity and how to include people make sure to have multiple data points along the employee journey, to see where you need to change or make improvements. website-featured-wwt-panel-l AnalogFolk is part of the Advertising Diversity Taskforce, Creative Equals, the Creative Mentor Network, supports Token Dad and now as part of our continued commitment to building inclusive cultures, we are pledging to the Tech Talent Charter, a government funded initiative whose purpose is to increase gender diversity in the tech workforce. But we know there is more work to do. All of the Building Inclusive Cultures speakers were from very different backgrounds which gave the audience diverse perspectives but the resounding shared advice was this: Every company should think about the small things they can do to make the biggest difference. Consider what will make a happy workforce and do meaningful things to make people feel valued. And lastly, get everyone involved in the journey.
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