Diversity more important than ever in attracting talent in changing tech landscape, say industry leaders
- The company mission needs to be owned not only by executives but shared by employees across all levels
A diverse and inclusive culture that creates a meaningful purpose across the organisation is key for companies to succeed in the changing business landscape where they need to attract millennial talent, industry leaders said at a tech conference on Tuesday.
“The primary thing that matters is having a culture that allows employees to feel they have ownership over the company,” said Gary Liu, chief executive of the South China Morning Post.
The mission of a company needs to be owned not only by the executives but shared by employees across all levels of the organisation on a daily basis, especially if the company wants to attract and retain talent, Liu said.
The technology industry and business in general are facing this new reality as they compete for a younger generation of talent to innovate in the changing market home and abroad. This sense of belonging is particularly relevant today as the new generation of talent searches for a career with a good purpose rather than just job security, the Rise speakers said.
Younger talent is looking for the upside rather than focusing on security, said Janice Lee, managing director of PCCW Media Group. “It is really a generational difference in how they look at their career.”
The purpose of a business is “the single most important thing about running an organisation”, especially for the next generation and millennials, Albert Wong, chief executive of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), said on the same panel. “They can work with you; they can leave tomorrow and work with somebody else, but they will stick with you because you have a good purpose,” he said.
