Turn the diversity winds into diversity wins
By: Elena Manolova
Tags: Fadata Values, Diversity In Tech, Diversity And Inclusion

Achieving effective Inclusion and Diversity (I&D) has been challenged. The current situation has shifted the focus, resulting in enabling some and disabling others. I&D can fall in each category. It is up to businesses to act on the matter.

We at Fadata acknowledge the peculiar times we are in, but we also recognize the importance of actions, especially those related to the betterment and growth of society.

Diversity is an ever-expanding and overlapped social issue, which has become neglected in today’s climate. It is with this concern that we have decided to share how Fadata has navigated successfully to turn the diversity winds into diversity wins.

The I&D concept is about the equality of opportunities presented towards people from various backgrounds and social standings and statutes in a given organization.

We must admit, this concept is not new to us. The company has been working towards establishing a positive and inclusive workspace with initiatives dating back to 2016 and earlier.

Our efforts did not stop with the world going digital. On the opposite, we established a rhythm to promote human interactions, albeit virtual ones, to continue working on our policies of transparency, communication, and teamwork, to name a few.

One example is our initiative of a virtual coffee break where our CEO, Liselotte Munk, had numerous informal discussions and talks with various team members coming from different departments.

We at Fadata Group are proud to have achieved a balance in our work structure. In the past 10 years, the company has seen stable gender parity with an close to equal number of women and men. In 2020, the percentage of women and men working at Fadata is actually 50:50.

Moreover, this is reflected on the higher floors where we can again see a high percentage of women being in a position of power.

Among them are our CEO, Liselotte Munk and our Human Resources Director, Ivelina Zhelezcheva. Below they share some of their thoughts on the matter.

Liselotte Munk: I believe that I&D is not only about gender equality.

It is much deeper than that. The concept, if one might categorize it as such, encompasses much more. Suppose we do not account for and acknowledge its multifaceted side. In that case, we risk of falling into the same problems and dynamic, which are at the core of I&D, and that is exclusion, prejudice and unaccountability. I am proud to say that in Fadata, we encourage one’s personal development, whether professional, personal or else. To achieve this, we need a solid foundation. Our corporate values are Trust, Proficiency, Collegiality, and Innovation. However, I do not see them as corporate. Rather, I see them embedded in our culture. That is why we refer to us as a Team more than a corporate entity, consisting of different links and functionalities, which are used to run the machine. In other words, the human aspect of things should be put on the forefront every time and on every occasion. At the core, this is humanism at work, no pun intended. I wouldn’t say I like bureaucracy as such and try to break down the barriers with not only the rest of my team but everyone working at Fadata. I truly believe that ideas could flow and discussions could lead to great things. Thus, having bureaucratic or hierarchical walls, set up from the get-go, is of no use to no one. I enjoy working with the young(er) talent at Fadata since those restrictions sometimes are imposed on us by society and our culture. Moreover, their viewpoints inspire me as well.

Ivelina Zhelezcheva: My position in the company is unique. I have the opportunity to overlook the organization as a whole and have an overview of the talent within Fadata.

I am a firm believer that it is through cooperation and collegiality when I&D truly shines. Moreover, my team and I are constantly working towards finding and developing new training methodologies and initiatives. For example, we have facilitated an internal Management Excellent Program where the goal is to enhance the management capabilities of everyone, willing to undertake such a career path. In that regard, I try to support everyone in their endeavours inside or outside the company. One can have potential, but without empowering it, it fades. It is our responsibility as team leaders to guide and support our colleagues. The same goes for I&D. Having the opportunity to do so is key. I am positive that Fadata is on the right path at the moment, and I am excited about what the future will bring.