The case for embracing diversity in the workforce is stronger than ever. Diverse companies now outperform non-diverse companies! Why? Well, when people from all different backgrounds come together, they bring different perspectives, information, and world views. This mix creates more innovation, a more productive team, and ultimately a more profitable business. According to Alexandru Aldoescu, Head of HR, General Affairs & Procurement Manager (Romania and Bulgaria), Samsung Electronics Romania, diversity is something every company should strive for.
Why and since when does your company believe and invest in diversity management?
Diversity management became a necessity for all the important companies in the world as it was demonstrated that diversity is a pre-requisite for high performing companies. At Samsung, we have a long relationship with the idea of diversity, as without a consistent and coherent investment in diversity management, the expansion of the company and the success at global level would not have been possible.
What aspects of diversity management have the highest priority in your company?
The diversity in general is important, but the most important aspects are the gender, age and cultural diversity. At the same time, we are getting the first steps towards getting correctly equipped for adopting in our Samsung family people with disabilities.
Which D&I activities have been implemented in your organization so far?
We are aware that diversity and inclusion represent ingredients that are of outmost importance for a high performing organization. Having a diverse workforce in terms of gender, age and culture guarantees a huge diversity of opinions and approaches.
Clear actions are taken in terms of recruitment (propose for all roles in the final pool of candidates both woman and man), in terms of age diversity we have no age limits for our candidates. In terms of cultural diversity, we are promoting cultural diversity and cultural awareness trainings, for both Romanian and Korean employees.
Many companies aren't prioritizing inclusion and diversity initiatives right now. Why should they reconsider?
Without diversity and inclusion, the companies are missing two important factors that are crucial to achieve high performance. I am talking about different perspectives that are critical for the business strategic development and engagement of the people. Nowadays, constantly changing economic environment, the ability to approach problems from different perspectives and the engagement of the people working on solving them could make the difference between success and failure.
In your opinion, what tangible benefits does diversity bring to your company?
This question allows us a very simple answer:
1. Different perspectives on problem solving;
2. Creativity and innovation enhancement;
3. Engagement of the employees
4. Employer branding.
Can you name three diversity challenges that companies have to pay attention to?
As diversity and inclusion can be considered a change program in many organizations, I think that the challenges are the same faced in front of any major change people are facing:
1. Communication – Ineffective communication results in a failure of diversity programs
2. Change resistance – There can be always some employees refusing to accept that society and their workplace is changing
3. Lack of data when drawing up a diversity and inclusion strategy.
What do you do to convince your colleagues to see the value in diversity management, or even more to truly get them on board?
Samsung is considering diversity and inclusion as being crucial for the success of the organization. That is why at absolutely all levels of the organization Samsung started to organize awareness trainings and workshops on this extremely important topic.
Alexandru Aldoescu joined Samsung Electronics Romania in 2012 as HR & General Affairs Manager, currently occupying the position of Head of HR, General Affairs & Procurement Manager for Romania and Bulgaria. With over 13 years of experience in the field of human resources in leading multinational companies of various sectors of activity (Oil & Gas, Industrial Manufacturing, IT & C), Alexandru is currently focusing his efforts on creating permanent opportunities of development dedicated to Samsung’s employees, thus highly contributing to the company's flexibility and dynamism on the Romanian and Bulgarian markets.
Before joining Samsung’s team, Alexandru Aldoescu has been a HR Manager at Alstom Infrastructure Romania for 5 years, Senior Recruiter at Snamprogetti Romania between 2005 and 2007 and Human Resources Specialist at SVF Management during 2003-2005.
Alexandru Aldoescu graduated the Faculty of Psychology, "Titu Maiorescu" University.
Interview by Dana Oancea