Diversity is an everyday topic for entrepreneur Valérie Vuillerat. As co-founder of Witty Works, she supports STEM companies in recruiting women and making teams more diverse. On Superwoman, she talks to aizu founder Aileen Zumstein about the challenges of encouraging diversity and the fact that many companies describe themselves as diverse, but often lack concrete measures and resources beyond communication and marketing to follow through.
Entrepreneur Valérie Vuillerat lives diversity. The co-founder of Witty Works advises companies in the technology and innovation sector on the recruitment of women – among other strategies by using a diversification tool that facilitates the writing of gender neutral job advertisements. "I have noticed that it is not a lacking will on the side of women, but rather that companies do not know how to approach women or why they do not receive applications from them."
On Superwoman, a program on the digital channel F15' | by Forbes DACH, she explains that unconscious bias is the biggest barrier to diversity. To overcome this, a change of mindset is necessary: Managers must deal with the subject of diversity, education and the raising of awareness is needed. The social environment also plays an important role. "Sponsors are certainly also incredibly important. I always had people who believed in me and motivated me."
All questions in the video:
01:27 Even before the foundation of Witty Works you have founded numerous organisations with the aim to attract more women to the tech and innovation industry. Where does that come from?
05:22 In your opinion, where do we really stand now regarding gender diversity?
07:40 You mentioned that it needs a cultural change. Where else do you see hurdles?
10:15 When do the companies effectively come to you? Where do you see the biggest need at the moment?
12:15 What is your personal passion, your strength?
14:16 What are the next milestones to come at Witty Works?
16:52 Being an entrepreneur - has that always been your dream?
19:52 They say the idea is one thing, but what it really needs is implementation. Do you agree with that?
22:26 What do you give to people who want to follow a similar path to yours?
24:47 Do you have a personal digital strategy?
26:50 Your reading tip regarding diversity? And what is on your bucket list?
The interview itself is held in German.
Superwoman is a programme of the new digital channel F15' | by ForbesDACH, on which discussions are held every Wednesday and Thursday at 11:00 a.m. with experienced entrepreneurs, managers, experts and with decision-makers who have a serious interest in diversity issues. With their knowledge, commitment and experience they show different views and possibilities on this complex topic.