Promoting diversity in the workplace, especially by recruiting more women enhances the value to customers by incorporating a wider range of perspectives and ideas, Ali Harris Shere, COO, of Biscuits and Cake, Food Business at ITC said at Storyboard18’s Share The Spotlight event.
He said that ITC believes that a diverse workforce results in far richer discourse, and adds value to all stakeholders.
Harris cited ITC’s workforce data during the event, highlighting how the FMCG brand promotes diversity.
“In 2023, of all the management trainees that we hired, 41% of them were women, and 47% were female interns,” Harris said.
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He added that five of the large factories of ITC have the majority of women employees and one of the factories is 100% operated by female staff only.
“This wouldn’t be possible unless you really believe in whole diversity and inclusion,” Harris said.
Karuna Sri Divi, Vice President and Head of Marketing for snacks, noodles, and pasta at ITC said that the brand provides an equitable environment where everybody can express their views freely.
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Kriti Agarwal, senior brand manager for Biscuits and Cakes at ITC said empowering women and fostering inclusivity are must-haves in any workplace.
“People should be given equal responsibilities and an equal share of challenges when it comes to work,” said Deepti Kaushal, lead scientist at ITC’s Life Sciences and Technology Centre.
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Storyboard18’s ‘Share The Spotlight’ evening took place on 30th August. The event saw notable leaders such as Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, founder of Biocon Limited; Infosys global CMO Sumit Virmani; Intel’s Roshni Das; Anindita Veluri, Director-marketing at Adobe India; Cricketer Veda Krishnamurthy, Zivame’s COO Lavanya Pachisia; and Diageo’s Chief Innovation Officer Vikram Damodaran, among others, share their valuable insights and their spotlight.