Automotive Sales is exemplary when it comes to “Diversity & Inclusion.” Several years ago, the sales organization formulated a vision and developed a set of values based on openness, diversity and inclusion.
“I dared to apply for this position, even though I didn’t take the standard – technically oriented – path in my education and even though I didn’t meet all the classic criteria of the job profile.” This is how Lea Back, Manager Strategic Projects/Board Assistant, describes her approach to encourage other women. Until October 1, she was one of the few women to work as a key account manager for major customers at Automotive Sales.
Thanks to her determination, she was preaching to the choir at Automotive Sales. The sales channel formulated a vision several years ago and developed a set of values based on openness, diversity and inclusion. Their motto is “Automotive Sales is an amazing place to work, where people and their ideas come first.” The goal: a team that works together in an atmosphere where employees feel comfortable, accepted, understood and appreciated. No matter what and how they are – young or old, women or men, Indian or American … – or what life model they follow.
This basic understanding has given rise to many “Diversity & Inclusion” initiatives with a focus on “Gender Diversity.” The two objectives are to attract diverse talent to Automotive Sales and to retain them for the long term. “If we want to be successful, we need different experiences, perspectives and ways of looking at things in our ranks. If everyone thinks the same way, we will always come up with the same results. In the end, we would always just do the same thing. In a fast-changing world, this means standing still or even falling back,” Back says.
Does the language used in job postings reflect the value-based culture of Automotive Sales? Or do they contain terms that – according to scientific studies – discourage women from applying? This is one of the issues Automotive Sales is addressing. A women’s workshop sparked the “Tech Ladies,” a network of women with a technical background or working in a technical environment that quickly spread throughout FST.
Creating awareness of people in other groups
“Culture training” is another example that promotes the “one-team idea” at Automotive Sales. The programs are aimed at making different ways of thinking, approaching and acting understood by people from different regions of the world and cultures. “The first step toward inclusion is to create awareness of such differences. This makes it possible to accept different perspectives,” Back adds.
She serves on FST’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee and contributes her ideas. Conversely, she applies the topics discussed in the committee to her work. “‘Diversity & Inclusion’ requires leadership, therefore it particularly concerns our managers. They have to live it.”
