Business News

Wed Mar 7

Comprehensive Sodexo Study Finds Gender-Balanced Management Teams Perform Better on Key Business Objectives

Written by Mark Smith

TEAMS WITH GENDER PARITY ACHIEVE BETTER RESULTS ACROSS THE BOARD: SODEXO FINDS

Australia, March 8, 2018 – Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Life Services, has found that teams managed by a balanced mix of men and women are more successful across a range of measurements. The five-year, one-of-a-kind study of 70 entities across different functions represents 50,000 managers worldwide.

Operating margins, client satisfaction and employee retention, among other key performance indicators, were all higher among gender-balanced teams, meaning a ratio between 40% - 60% women to men.

Sue Black, Sodexo Global HR Director, Energy and Resources, said: “These results add a new, compelling dimension to a growing body of research that demonstrates the business benefits of gender equity. The distinctive nature of the study, with its examination of both financial and non-financial performance indicators across so many levels of management and the pipeline to leadership, is a significant piece of the overall picture on importance of gender in the workforce for enhanced outcomes.”

THE SODEXO GENDER BALANCE STUDY KEY FINDINGS:

Operating margins significantly increased among more gender-balanced teams than other teams.
Gender-balanced entities had an average employee retention rate that was 8 percentage points higher than other entities.
Gender-balanced entities had an average client retention rate that was 9 percentage points higher than other entities.
Gender-balanced management reported an employee engagement rate that was 14 percentage points higher than other entities.
Gender-balanced entities saw the number of accidents decrease by 12 percentage points more than other entities.

This unique Sodexo Gender Balance Study builds on previous internal and external research and amplifies Sodexo’s commitment to gender parity and an inclusive culture.

Sodexo, already a leader in diversity and inclusion, is breaking new ground in gender parity. In Australia, more than 50% of Sodexo’s workforce and 40% of its management team is female.

Globally, women represent 50% of the board while thirty-two percent of senior leadership positions are held by women – a 6% increase at the very top levels since 2013. Middle management and site management positions are balanced at 46%. Currently, 59% of the total workforce works within gender-balanced management.

Gender balance is part of Sodexo’s Better Tomorrow Plan 2025. As an organisation focused on social responsibility, Sodexo is committed to empowering women and strives to make every day International Women’s Day to improve the Quality of Life for all.

The company has committed to reach 40% women in senior leadership ranks by 2025 and has linked 10% of bonuses to this metric.

Sodexo has been named to Bloomberg’s 2018 Gender-Equality Index for its advancement in gender equality and was also recognized as a Catalyst award winner in 2012. In 2017, Sodexo ranked in the top 10 of Diversity Inc magazine's 'Top 50 Companies for Diversity' list for the 9th consecutive year and the Best Companies for Multicultural Women list by Working Mother Magazine. Sodexo was also recognized by FORTUNE Magazine three times in 2017 making FORTUNE Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies list, FORTUNE Magazine's Change the Word list and the FORTUNE 500 list.

About Sodexo in Australia: Sodexo in Australia employs a diverse workforce of over 5,000 employees. Sodexo delivers a unique array of over 100 integrated services lines including: catering, facilities management, concierge services, security, asset maintenance and hospitality services in the following segments: Corporate, Healthcare & Seniors, Education, Justice and Energy & Resources both on and off shore.

About Sodexo: Founded in Marseille in 1966 by Pierre Bellon, Sodexo is the global leader in services that improve Quality of Life, an essential factor in individual and organizational performance. Operating in 80 countries, Sodexo serves 100 million consumers each day through its unique combination of On-site Services, Benefits and Rewards Services and Personal and Home Services. Through its more than 100 services, Sodexo provides clients an integrated offering developed over 50 years of experience: from food services, reception, maintenance and cleaning, to facilities and equipment management; from services and programs fostering employees’ engagement to solutions that simplify and optimize their mobility and expenses management, to in-home assistance, child care centres and concierge services. Sodexo’s success and performance are founded on its independence, its sustainable business model and its ability to continuously develop and engage its 427,000 employees throughout the world.

Sodexo is included in the CAC 40 and DJSI indices.

Key figures (as of August 31, 2017)

20.7 billion euro in consolidated revenues

427,000 employees

19^th largest employer worldwide

80 countries

100 million consumers served daily

17 billion euro market capitalization (as of January 10, 2018)

Mon Mar 5

How To Get The Recognition You Deserve In The Workplace

Written by News Company

You work hard and it only makes sense that you’d want others to notice what you’re doing right. After all, your career depends on it because promotions go to those who are recognised for their efforts.

Therefore, you need to stand out from the crowd by putting your best foot forward and making it known that you not only exist but are someone who the company should value and not want to lose. Others aren’t necessarily going to become aware of who you are and what you do without a little extra effort on your part. Do it for you and because you deserve the rewards that come from all the time and energy you spend putting into your work.

Be on Time

Help yourself out by being on time for work each day and to meetings. You don’t want known as the person on the team who is always running late. Instead, be someone who your boss and the company can depend on to be in their seat during your working hours. It’s even better if you show up early and are ready to go before your required start time. Get in the habit of being punctual and people will take notice of how you’re always ready to go when the workday or a meeting begins.

Participate in Meetings

Rest up and take care of yourself so you have a lot of natural energy saved up for the meetings that everyone else thinks are boring. Sleeping in the back corner and looking disengaged will certainly hurt your cause. You need to be willing to talk and offer up ideas and ask questions in meetings you’re participating in. This will show others that you take your job seriously and want to contribute to making your company a better place to work for all. Jump at the opportunity to host a meeting yourself and be the leader in charge. It will give you practice for when you’re promoted someday to a higher level position.

Volunteer to Help with Department & Company Wide Projects & Events

Raise your hand to help out with various projects and events happening around your company. For example, you could volunteer to assist in organising a company sponsored event like a running or bike race. You can make a name for yourself by suggesting you get an Event Display custom marquee that will represent your business at the event. Step up by taking your role sincerely and coming to the table with a lot of unique planning ideas for your company to consider as the event date inches closer.

Network with the Right People

You should aim to bet to know your boss, the leadership team, clients and those in the business community. It’s worth your time to network with them and build deeper relationships with those who have power over where your career heads next. You need to decide if they hold positions you’d like to be in one day, or if it’s not for you and you’re ready to find a new job elsewhere. The better they know you, the more likely it is that they’ll think of you when they need assistance with a project or have open positions that would offer you a promotion.

Minimise Errors & Learn from your Mistakes

You don’t want to be known as the person who’s always messing up. Therefore, you need to quickly learn from your mistakes and minimise errors by paying attention when completing your daily assignments. Be productive and efficient, but don’t sacrifice doing the work the right way because you want to be fast. The better your work, the more likely your boss is to notice your abilities and offer you chances to shine by assigning you additional opportunities. If you do make a mistake, then be wise enough to know that you should admit to it and let the appropriate people know about your error.

Help others

You’re not going to get the recognition you deserve if you’re secretive and only out for yourself. Be willing to pitch in and share your knowledge with your teammates and help others out on their assignments if they need it. It’s a good idea to be someone who’s responsive and approachable in the workplace. You’ll come across as well-rounded, intelligent and helpful when you’re open and sociable. Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance when you require it and be honest about what you don’t know too.

Request Performance Evaluations & ask for Feedback Consistently

You know what you’re doing well, but don’t be afraid to spread the word to others. Make sure all your hard work is documented, and you have the scores and notes to prove it from your boss. You’ll want these remarks handy when you’re stating your case about why you should be up for the next available promotion. Ask for feedback so you can be consistently working on your weaknesses and focusing on your strengths. All of this performance advice is going to help you be a better employee and get the right people to notice you.

Speak up about your Talents

Don’t be afraid to portray confidence in all you do. Speak up about why you think you’re a great worker and deserve recognition for your talents. Have a conversation with your boss about what your goals are and where you see yourself in years to come at your company. Tell others what you’re good at and how you can help them out if necessary. Start conversations with members of company leadership and let them know your background, what you think you’re currently doing well and your goals and aspirations for the future.

Conclusion

It’s not always easy to stand out in a crowd and make a name for yourself in the workplace. Use these tips to help you achieve this goal and be someone who’s known for their hard work and dedication. You can’t sit back and wait for good happenings to come to you. You’ll need to step up and take action if you want to get noticed by your coworkers and boss. Keep trying because eventually what you’re doing will stick, and you’ll receive the rewards you know you deserve.