On March 8, organizations around the world recognized women – their achievements and their promise – with events inspired by International Women’s Day. I’m proud to say that Avery Dennison is among them.
We’re a global enterprise with employees located in most regions of the world. We have seen first-hand the creative power that is unleashed when companies respect and value cultural differences, nurture and promote diverse teams of people, and measure leaders by their ability to identify and inspire talent wherever it emerges.
That’s why we’ll be celebrating the contributions and creativity of the women at Avery Dennison this week with enthusiasm and gratitude. It’s also why we have placed the broader topic of people – with their rich cultural, ethnic and gender diversity – at the center of our definition of a sustainable enterprise.
Building a truly sustainable business means creating a work environment in which all employees can contribute, develop and flourish. That begins with safe working conditions, living wages and an equal opportunity to advance. But great organizations go further, actively nurturing a culture that engages employees and inspires them to be their best, both on the job and in their communities.
We strive to do this at Avery Dennison by giving our employees an entire “world to work with” and encouraging everyone to look beyond the the walls of their function or business segment to the larger impact their contribution can have. And we won’t be satisfied until every one of our more than 25,000 employees across the globe views this world as a great place to work.
One way we are holding ourselves accountable to that goal is by asking our employees directly. Each year, we conduct a series of employee engagement surveys that reach deep into our enterprise – from the factory floor to our remote sales representatives. And the results have real impact on how we measure the performance of our leaders.
Another way is by looking at ourselves from the point of view of our customers, our markets and our communities. Do our employees reflect the diversity of people and cultures we serve? Does our organization respect and value different viewpoints – and encourage their expression? Do our business principles and practices result in opportunity and advancement for all willing and talented team members?
These are questions we are asking ourselves right now, as we launch a series of programs to increase the diversity of our workforce and leadership, beginning with a focus on women.
There is a strong case to be made that diverse business organizations are better able to deliver high-quality long-term results, remain competitive in the marketplace, and sustain a reputation as a great place to work.
Nearly two decades into the 21st century, however, diversity is more than just a competitive advantage of highly evolved business organizations – it is a basic expectation of employees, consumers and communities the world over. We’re working hard at Avery Dennison to meet that expectation wherever our business takes us.
Join the conversation and see what employees and partners have to say on the topic of sustainability or connect with me on Twitter @AnneHillAVY.
Content on this page is provided by Avery Dennison, supporter of the Vital Signs platform.
