Aparna Reddy, Executive Director, Aparna Enterprises Ltd
Why is Inclusion Important for businesses?
As a woman leader in the Indian business field, I truly think that an organization's diversity and inclusion are not just a moral obligation but a strategic necessity for the business's success. Diversity contributes to a robust set of viewpoints, experiences, and talents in the team, which enables innovation and creative solutions for emerging problems.
Women, often underrepresented in leadership roles, bring unique insights that contribute to holistic decision-making. Empowerment of women through inclusion enables them to show their best qualities, to overcome gender differences, and to break stereotypes. A diversified workforce not only reflects the rich mosaic of society but also promotes flexibility in a business atmosphere with continuous changes.
On the other hand, inclusive practices not only improve a staff's morale but also their productivity and commitment. The employees’ willingness to commit more towards the organization’s prosperity is strengthened when they feel heard and taken into account. In this context, inclusion is a real game-changer when it comes to shifting the dynamic and positioning women for positions of leadership in every industry, with the eventual goal of businesses being run by women, even on the global level.
What steps can be taken to inspire inclusion in the Indian business landscape?
In the realm of building material manufacturing, inspiring inclusion requires a multifaceted approach. Companies can offer mentorship programs, workshops, and courses and train the leaders about the benefits of diverse perspectives, in the workplaces. As an organisation, we can induct women for more technical jobs and train them equally for niche engineering requirements. Once they conquer such techniques we must entrust them with respective responsibilities, with belief and with support, so that they get opportunities to showcase their unique achievements that will inspire others to follow as well.
The business associations and government bodies could shape the process by establishing policies that promote gender equality within business services. This could be done by granting tax breaks or other financial bonuses to business entities that show a clear intention to have women in top leadership positions.
Organizations, especially start-ups, must emphasize on an inclusive culture by offering equal opportunities to women entrepreneurs. Initiatives like establishing funding schemes for women-led startups, organizing networking events for women founders, and providing startup incubators exclusively for this group would help to fill the gap. Established female entrepreneurs can also initiate such programs, provide mentorship and outreach, and guide the women wishing to start their own businesses.
By implementing such an approach we will not only promote a wide range of talents but also strengthen the development and vibrancy of the industry.
What’s your message for womenfolk across India, on International Women’s Day?
On this International Women’s Day, I want to send a message of resilience, empowerment, and unity to the incredibly strong women of India. Through this venture together to attain our ambitions and aspirations, let us be one while breaking the barriers and becoming inclusive. Embrace the uniqueness of yours, because they are the source of your significance. The collective force of women’s resilience and grit has the ability to forge societies. Let us keep backing each other up, pushing gender equality, and crafting an atmosphere where every woman achieves as much as she wishes. The power of our unity as women is beyond measure and as such, we look forward to a time in the future when everyone will appreciate and celebrate the immeasurable value women can create in various fields.
