The BNY Mellon Way to Building Success

Oct. 7, 2010 - PRLog -- Interview with: Sheena Wilson, Global Head of Talent Strategy, BNY Mellon



   
Inclusion for us is the glue that binds us together, says Sheena Wilson, Global Head of Talent Strategy at BNY Mellon. Diversity supports the company’s business goals and helps create a more productive environment where uniqueness is valued - a fertile ground for meaningful contributions and outperformance. A speaker at the marcus evans HR Asia Summit 2010, taking place in Singapore, 10 - 12 November, Wilson talks about one of the concepts at the heart of BNY Mellon’s success - diversity and inclusion in the workplace  - and its crucial role in employee engagement.

Why are the concepts of diversity and inclusion so important at BNY Mellon?

Sheena Wilson: We know that our uncompromising focus on diversity and inclusion is the right thing for our employees, our clients and our company. It’s directly related to our ability to create an environment where all employees feel comfortable contributing their unique skills and talents. A genuine commitment to inclusiveness in the workplace leads to a better, more productive and enjoyable place to work. Our Chairman & CEO and our Board of Directors are extremely interested in the progress we make in these areas; real commitment from that level is essential.

Besides commitment, what else is needed to make this approach work?

Sheena Wilson: It also has to be meaningful for all employees. ‘Inclusion’ for us is the glue that binds us together. That word is powerful and it represents a common language that everyone understands. All our employees, regardless of role or geographic location, have an inclusion goal in their annual performance plan, which means we give no-one a pass in this area – it is part of our culture. An environment which supports and leverages uniqueness and differences is fertile ground for meaningful contributions and outperformance.

How do these concepts contribute to employee engagement and performance?

Sheena Wilson: A diverse, engaged workforce makes us more successful in building trust, empowering teams, serving clients and outperforming our peers; inclusiveness is at the heart of this, and these are all important elements of engagement as well as its corollary, performance.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to employee engagement. Managers at all levels of any company have to be in touch with and appreciate the unique background, contribution and perspective of each of their employees, whether the company is large or small.

Engagement is also a two-way street - only an employee knows if they are engaged or not. Our mantra is, “It’s all about the conversation”. If managers are not regularly talking with their employees, sharing information, listening to their ideas, providing meaningful opportunities for two-way dialogue on work performance and development plans, they may be taking their employees’ engagement for granted. That is a high-risk way of managing employees in any company.

Of course a level of commitment to the job, team, company and clients is also required from employees. Self-awareness is crucial for those who are serious about their career. I think it is the most important skill any of us can possess. We should all be aware of our strengths, how our background gives us unique skills or knowledge, what we enjoy doing, and be honest with ourselves about our own development needs. We are working hard to provide our employees with the tools that help them build that self-awareness, which in turn is key to engagement.

So, diversity and inclusion and employee engagement go hand in hand?

Sheena Wilson: We absolutely believe there is a correlation. Our company values - Client Focus, Trust, Teamwork and Outperformance - probably have a lot to do with this conviction. Our experience is that employees who feel supported and valued by their managers and their company for their unique contributions tend to trust the company to do the right thing for them, are more team oriented and outperform for their clients. Everybody wins.


Contact: Sarin Kouyoumdjian-Gurunlian, Press Manager, marcus evans, Summits Division

Tel: + 357 22 849 313
Email: press@marcusevanscy.com


About the HR Asia Summit 2010

This unique forum will take place at the Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, 10 - 12 November 2010. Offering much more than any conference, exhibition or trade show, this exclusive meeting will bring together esteemed industry thought leaders and solution providers to a highly focused and interactive networking event. The summit includes presentations on crafting effective HR strategies, redefining workforce engagement and talent spotting.

For more information please send an email to info@marcusevanscy.com or visit the event website at http://www.hrasiasummit.com/SheenaWilsonInterview

Please note that the summit is a closed business event and the number of participants strictly limited.

About marcus evans Summits

marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, think tanks, seminars and one-to-one business meetings. For more information, please visit http://www.marcusevans.com

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About BNY Mellon

BNY Mellon is a global financial services company focused on helping clients manage and service their financial assets, operating in 36 countries and serving more than 100 markets. BNY Mellon is a leading provider of financial services for institutions, corporations and high-net-worth individuals, providing superior asset management and wealth management, asset servicing, issuer services, clearing services and treasury services through a worldwide client-focused team. It has $21.8 trillion in assets under custody and administration and $1.0 trillion in assets under management, services $11.6 trillion in outstanding debt and processes global payments averaging $1.5 trillion per day. BNY Mellon is the corporate brand of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation. Additional information is available at www.bnymellon.com.