Concirrus celebrates global diversity awareness month!

By Hannah Freeman - October 23, 2020

The diverse minds and beliefs held by our team members is what makes Concirrus greatCelebrating diversity in the workplace is vital so everyone’s beliefs, values and traditions are recognised, appreciated and celebrated. So, this ‘Global Diversity Awareness Month we got together as a team to celebrate in Concirrus style by hosting a special FedTalk! (FedTalk’s are a chance for us to get together every Friday as a team and share knowledge.) 

It is important for us as a tech company that we are shining a light on the lack of diversity within the industry. Although progress is happening only 15% of the UK’s tech workforce come from BAME backgrounds (Black, Asian, and Ethnic Minorities.) This highlights the disparity of diversity within tech companies. Tech is part of everyone's future and must lead the charge in being more representative. 

 

Why is this important? 

 

Greater innovation! - A diverse workplace means there is more access to different points of views, skillsets, creative visions and approaches resulting in more innovative products and services for customers. 

Productivity!  When individuals feel represented and included, they are more willing to share their thoughts and therefore problems are solved faster. 

Employee engagement- Employees are no longer satisfied with knowing a company they work for is creating financial gains, they want to know the work they do matters and that the company they work for is fostering an inclusive environment that cares about creating a diverse team. 

Attracts and retains more talent!   Having a diverse team that isinclusive can boost a company’s moral and create positive word of mouth so you can hire more diverse talent. 

Corporate Social Reasonability  The technology we’re using should be produced by a workforce reflective of society not just reflective of themselves. Tech companies have a responsibility to take an interest in wider social issues. 

 

Why is this important for Concirrus? 

  • To support each other and encourage unity.  
  • To learn, grow and educate each other. 
  • To raise cultural awareness and cultural competence. 
  • To celebrate our differences 

Who makes up team Concirrus? 

 Some of Concirrus’ keen volunteers came together to share their backgrounds, culture and celebratory traditions with the wider team for a fun filled Friday FedTalk! 

  • First up we had our Marketing Assistant, Hannah freeman, speaking to the team about her family’s East End London heritage. Sharing her family’s history working at the Roman Road market. Her grandad seen below worked on a pajama stall! Hannah also spoke about her love of pie, mash and liquor and bagels from brick lane! She even got some of the team to guess some cockney rhyming slang! 

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  • Next up we had our Web Development EngineerAlessandro Catania, giving us a tasty treat by sharing all his favourite Italian foods with the team! Did you know there are 350+ types of pasta! Alessandro also spoke about the different languages and related dialects in Italy. The majority of these languages are Romance-based, meaning that they evolved from Vulgar Latin. These include Sicilian, Neapolitan, Sardinian, and more. He also got the team to guess the Italian vehicle. See the popular Italian vesper below! 
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  • Executive AssistantMalgorzata Jermakowicz (known to us as MJ ;)) spoke to the team about her Polish culture and some of the religious traditions celebrated in her country. MJ gave an insight into how the polish celebrate Easter Monday...By throwing water over each other! She also spoke to the team about n annual national holiday in Poland called 'All Saints' Day' (Wszystkich Swietych) also known as the Day of the Dead, as many people remember their family and friends that have passed on this day. Special church services are held to commemorate the saints in various towns and cities. Many people lay flowers and candles on the graves of family members and friends in cemeteries. Check out some of the beautiful photos below! 

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  • Sonali Seth, our HR Manager shared how she celebrates Diwali with the team and why it’s important for her! Diwali is the festival of lights, celebrated by Hindus, across the worldIt is a festival of new beginnings, the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. Sonali spoke to the team about how she sees Diwali as a belief in continued hard workSee below some of our Delhi team celebrating Diwali by making Rangoli (using colors and flowers) in our office in 2019! 

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  • Sammy EmojevbeProduct Owner, gave the team an insight into his Nigeran culture. Sammy spoke to the team about how multiethnic Nigeria is with more than 520 tribes and languages spoken throughout the country. Sammy spoke about Warrithe Niger Delta region of Nigeria where his family are from. He also spoke about some of his favourite famous Nigerians including Actor, John Boyega, musician, Seal and Boxer, Anthony Joshua. See Sammy and his wife below in their traditional Nigerian clothing! 

 

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  • Mita Chavda, our Head of Technical Sales, spoke to the team about being British born and celebrating her Indian culture! Mita talked about her love for Bollywood films and traditional Indian cuisine. Growing up she loved making samosas with her Mother and sistersMita also gave us an insight into Indian Fashion. See her below in her beautiful sari. 

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  • And last, but by no means least, our Senior Data ScientistAngeliki Marakispoke to the team about her Greek culture, the amazing food and how her family celebrates Easter and traditional Greek festivals! She also gave the team some top tips on surviving Greece! 1. Always be late! 2. Always bring a gift3. Never eat before going round your friends and family's houses. (they will have more than enough food!).

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Greek Food - 35 Traditional Dishes to Eat in Greece

 

A big thank you to all the team who presented!  

  

What are we doing to help the diversity issue within the tech industry? 

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As we celebrate this October, we commit ourselves to fostering an inclusive environment all year longWe have recently joined the InChorus Group FinTech For All Inclusion Charter to help create a more inclusive tech industry. The FinTech For All Inclusion Charter encourages FinTechs across the whole ecosystem to ensure they have the right foundation in place by sharing best practice and offering support. Learn more and find out how you can get involved here 

 

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