insight
Kubrick share their insights on the importance of diversity and inclusion for changing and improving the technology industry at Big Data LDN
September 22-23 saw the triumphant return of Big Data LDN, London’s flagship data and technology event, with technology leaders and innovators flocking in their hundreds to discuss upcoming trends and demo the latest offerings. In partnership with event sponsor Alteryx, Kubrick were offered a coveted slot at the Modern Analytics Theatre to share industry insights with attendees. Breaking the narrow focus on cutting-edge advances, Kubrick's Head of Channel Alliance, Jay Lockwood, widened the lens of the conversation to capture the one big change businesses need to make to truly drive transformation: increasing diversity and inclusion in their talent pool.
Data seeks to understand and influence our businesses, consumers, and society; it is imperative to have a diverse workforce that reflects that society.Amy Aspinall, Kubrick Advanced Consultant
Moreover, Jay explored the other workforce challenges that increasing diversity in the talent pipeline of entry-level roles can solve. He addressed the need to tackle the astonishing lack female representation in technology leadership and supporting the ‘frozen middle’ of employees with 3+ years’ experience in industry whose skills are not up to speed on rapidly evolving technologies, sharing Kubrick’s insights on building leadership and development pathways into our consultants’ journeys to fast-track our rising female stars, as well as the importance of upskilling opportunities beyond initial training periods.
The session was not instructive, but demonstrative; Jay was joined by a panel of 3 Kubrick consultants at varying stages of their journeys in order to share their personal experiences and outlooks on diversity and inclusion whilst onsite with our clients and in the industry at large. They represented Kubrick’s large mix consultants from a range Arts and STEM degree qualifications, as well as gender and socio-economic backgrounds.
Our panel included Elmira, an Associate Principal embarking on our pathway to leadership in our Training and Development team:
“I have experienced first-hand on client site how diversity can enrich ideas, processes, and collaboration. Having platform to speak about that and share my story with the professional audience only highlights that those changes are actually happening, with more and more people willing to support diversity.”
Elmira was joined by Alex, an English Literature graduate who is finishing their training to become a Data Product consultant. He shared his experience from the conference:
“Seeing the arts celebrated as something to be valued in the world of data and making sure to widen the talent pool is a message that I'll be taking with me throughout my career. It was fantastic to get behind a microphone with the team to try and share a small part of my enthusiasm to the audience, despite my nerves. It was my first time speaking at a conference, but I hope that it won't be the last!”
The event was incredibly well-timed in the lead up to National Inclusion Week, promoting inward reflection from its audience members to take away and put the wheels of change in motion within their own organizations. In celebration of NIW, our 3rd Kubrick panellist Amy, a Kubrick Advanced Consultant taking on the management of junior consultants as she leads our blended squads, reflected on significance of changing the face of data and technology:
“Data seeks to understand and influence our businesses, consumers, and society; it is imperative to have a diverse workforce that reflects that society. By widening the talent pool to include analytical people from a non-STEM education, it allows not just more opportunities for women, minorities, and people from lower income backgrounds, but also a rainbow of diverse minds in a data team. I hope I can be an example of the results of such action, as a female coming from a working-class background, with a non-STEM education.”
Kubrick’s commitment to inclusion goes beyond our mission to overcome the digital skills gap and can be seen in our day-to-day operations. Whilst we must continue to challenge ourselves to do better, we can also celebrate our achievements when improving our culture and inclusivity in the workplace, as we support our onsite consultants through our Alumni Mentor Program and look forward to the launch of our Diversity Champions next month. For resources on how you can improve diversity and inclusion in your organisations, visit: https://www.inclusiveemployers.co.uk/national-inclusion-week/
Many thanks to our partner and champion Alteryx for giving us the stage and amplifying our message.
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