At Pitney Bowes, diversity encompasses all the ways in which we differ. Inclusion helps us benefit from diversity by creating an environment of involvement, respect and connection, so that the full range of ideas and experiences are used to create business value. Our diversity equips us to better understand evolving markets, connect with our global customer base, develop innovative solutions and attract and retain outstanding talent.
We have a strategic approach to managing diversity, with overall accountability at the board and CEO level. Business unit presidents and their senior reports are accountable for the success of diversity initiatives within their businesses. Each business develops its own plans and objectives for valuing and leveraging diversity. In turn, these plans are linked to performance standards that determine business unit ratings reviewed by the CEO and board of directors. Compensation for senior management is tied to success in meeting diversity objectives.
Our approach has four dimensions:
Formed in 2007, the Council includes representatives from all our businesses and geographies, who work together to create a more inclusive working environment through training, leadership example, recognition and communications.
Events organized by the Diversity and Inclusion Council in 2009 included:
Awards and recognition
In 2009 Pitney Bowes and its employees earned recognition from numerous external organizations for excellence in diversity and inclusion. Among them:
INROADS Talent Pipeline
Since 1987, Pitney Bowes has worked with INROADS, Inc. to assist in meeting our talent and diversity objectives by developing high-potential minority youth and preparing them for corporate and community leadership. Students apply to INROADS between their junior year in high school and sophomore year in college, and those accepted receive career coaching, training and summer internships with a view to full-time employment upon graduation.
The INROADS program at Pitney Bowes has provided career opportunities to interns in the areas of Finance, Marketing, Communications, Engineering, Information Technology and Human Resources. In the last three years, Pitney Bowes has sponsored more than 50 college students. In 2010 we expect to convert more than half of our summer interns into full-time hires.
Women's Leadership Conference Webinars
Building on our company-wide Women's Leadership Conference in 2008, we conducted a series of three webinars throughout 2009 featuring women executives both at Pitney Bowes and across a spectrum of external partner organizations. Each 60-minute session provided opportunities for employees across the enterprise to take part in group discussions, build their professional networks and explore avenues for career development Total attendance in 2009 was more than 800.
PB Lets Me Be Me Wins FAN Award
Our PB Lets Me Be Me program won recognition as "Best HR and Sustainable Development Programme" at the FAN 2009 exhibition in Paris. FAN (Forums des Acteurs du Numérique) is a leading international trade show for document management professionals. PB Lets Me Be Me, launched in 2007, is a global diversity awareness program run by our International Diversity and Inclusion Council.