PwC Networks - Transcript

Interviewer
Our culture is all about our people. The collective skills, knowledge and background of our people are the strength behind our success. PwC's diversity strategy recognises peoples differences. We have set up people networks in the firm and we will be talking to Shaminder, who is responsible for ensuring our people stay connected. Shaminder, what are people networks?

Shaminder
People networks are groups of people that organise numerous events, numerous business focussed activity that enable new joiners to the firm or even people that might be feeling a tad isolated or lonely to get together for social networking, person interaction but within a business context at PwC.

Interviewer
Why do they exist?

Shaminder
They exist to support our diversity strategy, but to also offer the notion of practical and, if necessary, emotional support to individuals within the firm.

Interviewer
What people network exist?

Shaminder
We've got 10 in total. We've got the Ethnic Forum, PwC Women, GALE which is for lesbian, gay and Transgendered staff, the Parents network, the Special Needs Child Support network, the Female Partner & Director network and then we have our Faith networks currently the Hindu, the Jewish Network, the Christian network, and the Muslim network

Interviewer
What are their activities?

Shaminder
It tends to differ according to the type of network that we have. For example, the PwC Women tend to run events which would seek to assist women in the work place, so key themes PwC women event shave explored recently have been 'unlocking potential'. The one prior to that was around the 'work place of the future' and the 'war for talent' and what we need to be doing to equip themselves to compete in the war for talent. But alternatively the Parents network don't tend to run similar of that kind but tend to focus on seminars that are related to key issues that parents are facing such a discipline for toddlers or the 'school maze' which was another one that we ran quite recently.

Interviewer
How well supported are they?

Shaminder
I think very well supported. They tend to be chaired by Senior managers within the firm, of not, Partners and the levels of attendance we get to all of the events reflect that they really are making PwC a great place to work. We have good levels of attendance and senior level support and sponsorship of the networks.

Interviewer
What benefits would you say that they would bring to me?

Shaminder
Gosh, I think there are lots of benefits from networking. They enable you to meet new people, have some fun. For example PwC Women recently ran a shopping event in House of Fraser called 'Girlfriends in high places'.

Interviewer
A shopping event?!

Shaminder
Shopping event. Serious retail therapy. It enables you to meet new people, have some fun, cultivate business contacts and also learn much more about the firm and the various departments that exist within the firm via meeting new people.

Interviewer
Can I join more than one?

Shaminder
Absolutely. I mean, that part of the reason we've got numerous networks. We absolutely recognise that PwC an individual might plural identities. So for example, you might be a Muslim but also a woman so you might want to join PwC Muslims or PwC Women or even both, totally your call. In terms of their structure, typically there are steering groups that tend to govern the network which tend to be chaired by the Partner of the network or the senior manager chairing the network and it's those core people who tend to influence the way the network is running, influence the key events that will be happening over the next year.

Interviewer
Excellent. Thank you for coming along today Shaminder.

Shaminder
Thank you

Interviewer
To find out more about careers and PwC, visit pwc.com/uk/careers