Last week, the leading german business magazines had some good news: the desire for more diversity in German boards has been fulfilled – at least partly. Research conducted by the consulting firm Simon-Kucher & Partners showed, that the share of foreign board member increased. 60 percent of the board members appointed last year are not Germans. Thereby, the share of foreign board members increased to 28 percent. The author of the study, Christoph Lesch, believes a percentage of foreigners between 30 and 40 percent is desirable. The high percentage of foreigners reflects the structure of shareholders, markets and employees.
At Henkel, 60 percent of the management board are not from germany. For example, our CEO Kaspar Rorsted comes from Denmark. Employees from 48 nations work at our headquarter in Düsseldorf. Worldwide, employees from 116 different nations work for Henkel.
One objective for more diversity is fulfilled. It remains to be seen, if the desire for more women on management boards can be fulfilled as well. [DE]
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Posts Tagged ‘cultural diversity’
International Ambassadors
More Diversity at DAX companies / Mehr Vielfalt in DAX-Konzernen
Wednesday, August 18th, 2010 by Astrid BostenDiversity & Inclusion
Diversity-to-Go: Mediaplanet Special “Diversity Management”
Wednesday, July 28th, 2010 by Astrid Bosten
Diversity-to-Go: This is what the new Mediaplanet publication “Diversity Management” offers. There might be enough good reasons for a strategic diversity approach – practical tips with focus on the diversity dimensions gender, disability and cultural diversity is what you get packed on 15 pages in that newspaper.
Gender diversity:
Starting with Monika Schulz-Strelow foreword, who is president of the FidAR initiative (women for the board), to the dialogue between Wilhelm von Haller, CEO Sal.Oppenheimer Private Bank and Ana-Cristina Grohnert, Partner at Ernst & Young and an article about a father during his parental leave – there are lots of arguments and information about gender diversity, the need for a balanced workforce and the increase of women in leadership positions.
Disability:
95 percent of all disabled people are getting disabled within their professional lives. To save recruitment costs and to get highly motivated and loyal colleagues, Ford AG introduced for the first time a disability manager in Europe, who is responsible for the integration of disabled people at the working place. That saves money and increases productivity.
Cultural Diversity:
The mother dimension of diversity. But nowadays as important as in the past is the intercultural harmonization at the working place. Within this article you get some practical advices to take care of to gain economic advantages out of the cultural diversity a company has in place.
All in all the publication is as readable as informative to get an insight in the reasons why and the benefits of diversity management.
Diversity & Inclusion
Viva Espania
Friday, July 9th, 2010 by Astrid Bosten
„Maybe this is not the best day?!“ I think this was the most often heard sentence yesterday at our fourth day of the International Week at Henkel, Düsseldorf. When we made the scheduling for this week no one could have guessed how explosive this day would be: the German soccer team lost on Wednesday against Spain. But our Spanish colleagues handled the situation with charm and high spirits.
We switched the location to another canteen at Henkel in Düsseldorf where the majority of our blue-colored-colleagues are having lunch. A complete new situation and a complete new public. The blue-colored seemed to be slightly more irritated by this event than the people we met before… but maybe that was the matter of fact because of the soccer game?!
However, with sweeping Spanish music around bad mood had no chance. And our Spanish colleagues accost everybody who entered the canteen to participate in the every day lottery, with a difficult question: “How many languages are spoken in Spain?” – I would have answered: one (or maybe two). But actually the Spanish team members weren’t quite sure while preparing the answer if there are four or five languages used in Spain: Spanish, Aranese, Catalan, Valenscian and Galencian. And that’s the reason why in fact some members of the Spanish team spoke English with each other. And that’s the reason why some kids in Spain get their Christmas presents on December, 25th while others get them just on January, 6th.
The other obligatory must-have-question: Do Spanish people really make siesta? “I never had siesta in my life!” was the answer of one colleague, but in fact Spanish people take the opportunity to run some errands during lunch hours. That’s why Spanish people return from work just at 9 or 10 p.m.; and that’s why TV films regularly start at 10 p.m. That’s the time when Spanish families usually are having dinner too.
Today our last host of the week is France.
Diversity & Inclusion
„Konnichiwa“ und „olá“
Thursday, July 8th, 2010 by Astrid Bosten
Yesterday our Japanese and Portuguese colleagues were the hosts of our International Week at Henkel, Düsseldorf. Each day one country presents itself to show the cultural diversity we have in place.
Our Japanese colleagues, Kenji Itho, Naoki Yasuda, Hiro Asakawa und Kaoru Tachikawa, had a special idea: they offered to write the prenames in Japanese characters. Additionally Kaoru Tachikawa was an eye catcher: she wore a Yukata that is a special type of a kimono in a daily-to-use edition. Kaoru told me that to put on a traditional kimono would take about one hour. Therefore they are just used for official reasons like weddings, New Year parties or holidays.
Kaoru is living for five years in Düsseldorf and lived in several countries before. But – surprise, surprise – she likes Düsseldorf best because here is the largest Japanese community.
The differences between Germans and Japanese can be realized in the way they interact. Germans come straight to the point while Japanese circumscribes what they really mean. That’s the reason why Japanese seem to take a more reserved stance. To speak to a foreign person on the way to your job is impossible in Japan.
Very contrary our Portuguese colleague Paula Barreleiro described the differences between Portugal and Germany. Germans can’t keep up with Portuguese temperament. But she likes the landscape where everything’s green and healthy. And there are mountains. For her the main difference between Germans and Portuguese is the way they face their jobs: Germans are well organized and considered. The Portuguese are more improvisation artists.
Diversity & Inclusion
International Week at Henkel Düsseldorf/ Internationale Woche bei Henkel in Düsseldorf
Tuesday, July 6th, 2010 by Astrid Bosten
The beginning of July – half time. Semifinal. Football United all over the world. All around is cultural diversity. Cultural diversity between teams and within teams, cultural diversity between fans and within fans and cultural diversity between countries and within countries. The disappointment of one team is the gladness of the other one. And finally there will be one winner and lots of connective memories.
Henkel’s team is both – a global and a winning team, and a team full of cultural diversity. This is what makes us at the same time different and unique. Therefore we dedicate the final world cup week from July, 5th to July, 9th to our various colleagues all over the world.
The International Week is a one week event that takes place at Henkel Düsseldorf during lunchtime in the canteens. Colleagues from all over the world present their homeland with traditional costumes, food and music at an infotainment stand. People get to know the different culture, ethnical backgrounds and attitudes but also have fun with each other by playing Tipp-Kick-Soccer, Kicker or Wii Fit. The goal of this event is to show Henkel’s diversity but breaking with stereotyping at the same time. That’s what we are: same, same but different.
Yesterday the German team started with the first event day. Folks music surrounded the information stand. A German police officer, a woman in a dirndl, Santa Claus and a German soccer fan were the host. Especially the Tipp-Kick-Game challenged our colleagues to hit the goal and to win a voucher. But also the Wii Fit header game brought lots of fun and whiplash injury. Today it’s Italian day!
