Accenture - Innovation in Human Resources Management, Planning & Practice

Company: Accenture, Inc., Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Category: Award for Innovation in Human Resources Management, Planning & Practice > Other Service Industries

Nomination Title: Turning 55,000+ Employees Into 55,000+ Innovators

Essay:

A decade ago, no one had an iPad. You couldn't book a ride-share. Your phone couldn’t tell you how to avoid traffic. In 10 years, technology has changed our world dramatically and businesses are scrambling to keep up.

To survive, companies must innovate—which is why Accenture’s top priority is building a future-proof, innovation-ready workforce. Everything we’ve achieved these past 35 years we owe to our highly talented people. Their success is our success, so we need to make sure they have the right skills for the post-digital age. We began by introducing a New IT curriculum in 2018 to help employees learn new technologies (cloud, analytics, blockchain, automation, artificial intelligence) and new ways of working (agile development, DevOps, Design Thinking, business and data storytelling).

In addition to classroom training, we offer digital channels (learning boards, massive open online courses), so people can learn anytime, anywhere. We provide customized Learning Roadmaps, so employees can see the skills they need for their industry. Employees can also join professional certification programs for different software platforms. In Fiscal Year 2019, we invested close to USD 5 million in training, delivering over 1.8 million training hours—and it paid off. Today, 85+% of our people are New IT Conversant (able to talk about new technologies) and over 40% are New IT Job Ready (able to take on a role involving new technologies).

To help employees apply what they learn, we constructed the Liquid Studio Manila, Innovation Playhouses and Innovation Nooks in our different facilities. In these spaces, employees and even clients collaborate to develop solutions for real-world problems. We also organize competitions, such as our robotics cup and client co-innovation contest, so employees can test their skills. Skills are only one part of the story. Innovation ideas are sparked by unique experiences and discoveries—the more varied the experiences, the more exciting the ideas. Which is why it’s so important to attract and nurture truly diverse talent, including persons with disabilities (PWD).

In 2019, we simplified our recruitment process, provided PWD-sensitivity training for recruiters, and even helped recruiters learn sign language. By September 2019, 4% of our workforce was made up of PWD employees, surpassing our 2022 target of 3%. We also built a Suite of Accessibility Solutions, which offers PWD employees a wide range of enabling tools and technologies. We’re also a great employer for women—they make up 53.5% of our workforce and occupy more than 50% of senior level positions. In October 2018, we became the first company in the Philippines to be EDGE (Economic Dividends for Gender Equality) Move Level 2 Certified, in recognition of our many equality initiatives. These include development programs for women, LGBT leadership training, unconscious bias training, and employee benefits such as 120-day maternity leave, 30-day paternity leave, adoption leave and benefits for same-sex and common-law partners.

In the end, we want to bring out the best in all our people. We use a Truly Human approach that encourages employees to care for their body, mind, heart and soul. So far, we’ve launched 400+ Truly Human initiatives. A recent addition, #CALMmind, promotes employees’ well-being and emotional resilience. We want people to know that there is no shame in having a mental health issue. Employees are encouraged to talk about their problems and avail of free counseling services and mental health webinars.

We’ve received many awards recognizing our efforts—Best Workplace in Asia and Industry Champion from Asia Corporate Excellence and Sustainability Awards 2019, Best Employer from International ICT Awards 2019, and the 2019 Disability Inclusive Employer Award from the Philippine Council of Organizations on Disability and Empowerment, to name a few. But what’s most satisfying is knowing we’ve empowered 55,000+ employees to thrive, today and in the years to come.

Links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrwFtH9UQpM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uGOJhMSIGo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmAsrmFI7UY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uqayqsBO1M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElII8uMuOxA
https://metrocebu.news/2018/12/accenture-is-first-company-in-philippines-to-receive-edge-move-certification-for-gender-equality/
https://www.bworldonline.com/accenture-launches-innovation-lab-for-pwd-workers/
https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/274710/accenture-launches-accessibility-solutions-for-pwds-in-cebu-makati
https://www.acesawards.com/stories/sustainability/accenture-in-the-philippines/
https://www.pressreader.com/philippines/business-world/20181130/281998968519662