Women in Document / Content Management
We’ve been talking a lot about the rapid digitisation of business processes and the fourth industrial revolution, where artificial intelligence and mass automation will define our work. We continuously point out how we can add enormous value to customers by implementing the necessary tools to digitise content.
The truth is, no revolution can be successful, meaningful or effective without the full inclusion of women in the work place. Often, this statement makes people uncomfortable, because it may signal a “feminist rant”. But read on, because this message is not about pointing fingers, but about how the equal inclusion of women is a business imperative.
I read an article in Print Week citing a McKinsey report, Delivering growth through diversity. The report confirms that a “representative workforce is nothing but beneficial for a business…companies with the highest executive-level diversity had a 21% chance of outperforming those with the lowest and a 27% chance of higher long-term value creation.”
Encouraging women in the document / content management industry means identifying their needs. One example could be designing the work day around one’s many responsibilities, which invites the enticing option of flexi-time.
I am proud to be part of a company that acknowledges the often complex and competing needs of its women partners and employees, supporting growth and goal attainment.
It’s heartening to know that even in the early 1800s, when women were fundamentally unequal to men, the print industry was quite progressive. In fact, we learn from the Print Week article that Emily Faithfull trained as a printer and typesetter, establishing the Victoria Press print factory in 1860. What’s more Faithfull employed teenage girls as compositors and printing assistants. Faithfull’s print factory had practices such as profit sharing, lunch breaks, housing, decent lighting and ventilation 159 years ago.
Let’s hold up this centuries-long trend as we acknowledge International Women’s Day on the 8th of March. I take inspiration from Sheryl Sandberg who said, “In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders.”
Here’s to evolutions on many fronts!
Happy International Women’s Day!
Nancy Meyer - Business Development Director - KYOCERA Document Solutions South Africa
