Culture of equality to drive innovation

CEBU, Philippines — Companies must tap the culture of equality to drive innovation in the workplace.

Speaking to Cebu media in a teleconference yesterday, Ambe Tierro, senior managing director at Accenture Philippines, said businesses need to respond with continuous innovation to succeed in the era of widespread technology disruption.

Citing the results of the company's 2019 "Getting to Equal" report, Tierro noted that "tapping the power of workplace culture is essential to unleashing innovation across tapped company."

"As culture improves, our employees' innovation mindset improves as well," she said.

In pushing for equality culture, she cited the empowering environment as the most key factor, alongside bold leadership and comprehensive action.

Tierro pointed out that an empowering workplace environment allows workers to have access to training, remote work and flexible work times.

"Empowerment is key to driving a stronger innovation mindset," she said.

In the same briefing, Marixi Carlos, inclusion and diversity lead at the company, explained that if employees feel valued by their employers, they are more likely to advance and innovate."

"Accelerating equality in the workplace has never been more critical for driving innovation," she said. "It's really about the environment where men and women are both equally valued in the workplace.

According to Tierro, workplace equality further involves giving equal opportunities to men and women; and the sectors of LGBTQ and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Tierro said Accenture is looking into further promoting equality and embrace diversity in the workplace.

"We recommend companies to get clear on your purpose," she said, citing the need to provide trainings and promote flexible working as among the key factors that empower the working environment.

"It really makes business sense," she said.