A Woman's
Perspective
At the head of a team of nearly 13,000
professionals based around the world,
Françoise Mercadal-Delasalles is in charge of
the transformation of IT businesses at Societe
Generale. Her view of diversity? Finding value in
difference by attracting and promoting all talents
without prejudice.
What are the key issues regarding gender
parity?
It is above all an issue of equity. Women
represent 50% of humanity and less than
1% of senior managers of large companies
around the world. And it is also an issue of
performance and efficiency for businesses:
difference is valuable to a company just as
a diversity of perspectives enhances critical
thinking.
Why are more and
more women being
appointed as heads
of innovation?
Women are natural
outsiders, perfectly
at ease in a context
of transformation,
innovation and
disruption. We are
able to envisage the Françoise Mercadal-Delasalles
Group Head of Corporate Resources and Innovation
Has Societe Generale made gender parity a
future differently
reality?
because we have
Our Group is fully aware of the need for
little to lose in the present. It is in our
In what ways do social networks affect
diversity. It has positioned itself to nurture
interest to play an active role in shaping the
women’s careers?
female talent and to provide women with
future and to confront our views with those
Social networks are indeed having a major
individualised career paths. The Societe
of our male colleagues, in order to improve
impact on relationships and the circulation
Generale Board of Directors is 50% female,
the company’s ability to adapt and
of information. After the credit card, which
which places us among the top 4
innovate.
made it possible to withdraw funds
companies in the CAC 40 Index.
autonomously, and the cell phone, which
Is the IT industry still dominated by men?
allows us to manage our professional and
Does positive action play a role in achieving
Despite a slight upturn, few women are
personal lives remotely, social networks
gender parity?
enrolling in IT programmes, and so the pool
bring even more flexibility and allow women
If we do not bring particular attention to this
of female talent remains limited. And yet
to network in ways that weren’t possible
subject, there will be no progress. Societe
women have a great deal to bring to this
before, due to time constraints. They
Generale is fully aware of the need for a
innovative, rapidly changing sector. I am a
abolish the barriers of time, space and
diversity of talent and has set a priority of
proud advocate for their mobilisation into
hierarchy, facilitating real proximity. Thanks
promoting women to top positions in the
these careers.
to the use of social networks and
company. Furthermore, any initiative that
technology, we are experiencing a gradual
might foster parity, such as
Is the banking world ‘glamorous’ for a
horizontalisation of relationships within the
#JamaissansElles or the Circle of Women
woman specialised in IT?
company. The digital transition is also an
in Cybersecurity,
Banks are
important managerial transition. It provides
is a positive
echnology-based
Digital transformation offers
us with tools to develop working networks
development.
companies; they
and communities. Information is circulated
largely rely on
women a considerable potential for
in a completely different manner, new and
How can women
their information
achievement
and
they
must
seize
spontaneous: quite a few of my team
succeed in
systems. And the
members also follow me on Twitter. In this
obtaining
digital transition
this opportunity.
way, I can spontaneously share with many
high-level
is profoundly
more of them than I do via the chains of
positions?
changing them.
authority. It is a more direct approach to
We must, certainly more so than our male
We are reinventing our profession, aiming to
management and an important opportunity
counterparts, prove that we are capable:
make banks more relationship-focused.
for women.
have good educational qualifications and
Digital transformation carves out a space of
constantly demonstrate our skills. But
genuine freedom and creativity; and if we
What advice would you give to talented,
above all we must remain true to ourselves,
consider that women are more invested in
ambitious women?
to avoid burnout. Finally, we must have a bit relationships and exchange, this sector
To listen all throughout her career to her
of luck, particularly in meeting a senior
naturally opens up major opportunities for
inner voice, to remain always true to herself
manager who is prepared to take the risk
the most talented among us. IT, the key tool
and above all, never to sacrifice her
of appointing a women to a key position
of this transformation, offers very interesting
personal life in favour of her professional
because he is certain of the value this will
prospects. While few women are working in
life, nor her professional life in favour of her
bring to the company.
this sector today, it presents them with a
personal life, as neither situation is
real opportunity. Finally, I believe that if you
sustainable over time.
What qualities can a woman bring to a
look after your staff, they will look after your
company?
clients. If we want our employees to
What word best describes your professional
Women are committed over the long term,
optimise their relationship with our clients –
commitment?
with a genuine concern for collective
many of whom are women –, then the
The word ‘meaning’…A woman needs to do
effectiveness. They encourage dialogue in
company must optimise its relationship with
work that is meaningful to her.
a spirit of cooperation. Because they must
its employees, and that, of course, includes
reconcile work and family life, they seek to
women. This can be achieved through
enhance and to simplify organisation and
equal promotions and exemplary
processes within the company.
management in IT.
They undeniably improve efficiency.
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