33 EN: Strong women, strong industry: female executives at voestalpine (Part II)

00:00:02:

00:00:03: Welcome to my podcast,

00:00:05: a first Alpine medium for all

00:00:07: employees

00:00:08: as well as fans

00:00:09: and everybody who wants to become part of First Alpina in the future.

00:00:13: This episode was translated

00:00:15: from The German Interview

00:00:16: with

00:00:26: AI.

00:00:27: We already heard quite a bit about this in episode thirty-two and now, In Episode Thirty Three.

00:00:32: I would like to welcome my high caliber panel back to the podcast microphone.

00:00:37: A warm welcome to Karola Richter member of The Management Board And Head Of The Metal Forming Division.

00:00:43: Pauline Seidemann CFOofTheSteelDivision.

00:00:47: Nadia Jungwerth CSOOfFirstAlpineRailTechnology.

00:00:56: Herbert Eibensteiner.

00:00:57: I'm glad you all found the time to join us!

00:01:00: Women in leadership positions are still a bit unusual or rare, especially in technology and industrial companies….

00:01:08: Now my question is where do currently see biggest issues or challenges?

00:01:14: Ms Seidemann would like

00:01:16: Yes, first and foremost women in leadership positions need a broader base.

00:01:20: And so do women at the grassroots level.

00:01:23: if we don't increase the proportion of women In our workforce it will be difficult for Women to grow into leadership positions.

00:01:30: For example We are currently running A program in steel division To get women Into production.

00:01:36: Our goal is to have five hundred women Working as foremen in our plants by twenty thirty.

00:01:41: Without them there Will Be no female Foreman.

00:01:45: So we need to make sure that women are better represented and better equipped at the grassroots level.

00:01:50: Then it will also be easier for us have female managers.

00:01:54: Ms Richter?

00:01:54: Yes, I can only agree with that!

00:01:59: At First Alpine, we are very technology-oriented and technical.

00:02:04: I believe that the challenge of having women in management positions is on one hand to get them into a company but also to be interested in technology and science at an early age.

00:02:16: for me it starts very early.

00:02:18: It starts in kindergarten or school.

00:02:21: We already see a huge gap between women and men in terms of interest in these subjects.

00:02:26: And once we've achieved that, I believe will have the chance to build on it properly from ground up.

00:02:30: as you said Pauline

00:02:33: I would like to draw a connection between what has been said in corporate culture because corporate culture is all of us and, of course the greater proportion of women... ...the more corporate culture changes.

00:02:44: However i'd like to refer to study that was conducted for the railway industry where focus groups were used to identify issues.. ..that women actually see as challenges And these are precisely the issue of corporate culture & working conditions that are sometimes perceived as outdated.

00:03:00: They are very strongly oriented towards a male norm, which leads to women feeling that they're under pressure to prove themselves and conform in an environment where communication is harsh.

00:03:13: That's why I believe promoting corporate culture together must be supported by everyone involved including management as Mr.

00:03:22: Eibensteiner has already said.

00:03:25: Where do you currently see the biggest issues or challenges?

00:03:29: Yes, we can see of course that traditional role models still determine the career choices for men and women.

00:03:35: I believe this is a key issue.

00:03:37: Personally as Pauline already said it's very important to me.

00:03:42: young women are reminded at an early stage so-to speak that they can also contribute to the internationality of this International Corporation, and we are already seeing that we're bringing young women into our junior management programmes at an early stage.

00:03:59: And then gradually introducing them to management tasks.

00:04:03: The more we have of these, it will be better for us to develop these young talents further.

00:04:08: So there are numerous topics and challenges.

00:04:10: Thank you for this introductory round!

00:04:13: Ms Richter, I would like to start with YOU.

00:04:15: My next question is FOR YOU.

00:04:17: We often hear that women should network more with each other – how important do you think such networks ARE?

00:04:24: Yes…I think networks are important in general — whether for women or men.

00:04:28: Networks are simply important …for maintaining contact ...for being seen but also simply forgetting to know other people...and gaining other experiences.

00:04:37: But if we now put this in the context of women, I believe there are additional important reasons why networks are important.

00:04:44: Also among and within women.

00:04:46: two points come to mind that i consider very very important.

00:04:49: one is simply The exchange of experiences And these are not always just professional topics That are discussed.

00:04:55: they Are also simple topics like look If you can share This with a colleague?

00:05:00: I was In such-and-such A situation.

00:05:01: I felt this way how do You see it?

00:05:03: Has that ever happened to you?

00:05:04: How did your react with it.

00:05:06: What does this mean, just talk a little bit about women in professional life and how do they go for you?

00:05:10: And the other thing I've often seen on Women's Networks is colleagues who may have made their career perhaps even in other countries are invited come see what can work.

00:05:20: So the topic of role models.

00:05:23: I don't see that as something that works, something you should copy but simply to gain experience.

00:05:27: how does someone else do it?

00:05:29: How does a woman live in this country or in this role or perhaps family situation...how does that work...?

00:05:35: Or perhaps in this environment too!

00:05:37: In this respect i believe gaining experience whether there's a role model through mutual exchange is very

00:05:45: important.

00:05:49: I'd like to follow up on that, Ms Siderman.

00:05:52: Do you actually see yourself as a female leader?

00:05:55: As a role model for other

00:05:56: women?".

00:05:57: It depends how you define it or from what perspective look at.

00:06:01: when comes straight forward well-planned career planning then perhaps not necessarily because i originally had other plans When it come's me That can encourage woman to seize opportunities and say yes when asked And believe in themselves even if their hearts are pounding.

00:06:16: I have certainly thought about it at each stage of my career and i haven't always been one hundred percent sure, but is was a case taking the step in saying yes trying out really seeing if you can do that job well.

00:06:34: And also to set an example that you can remain authentic and don't have to curry favour or bend over backwards in a male-dominated environment, then I would say yes.

00:07:00: I

00:07:05: fundamentally believe that flexible working models are important for every company today in order to attract the best employees.

00:07:31: Because I think we at First Alpine also want to be attractive, too highly qualified men who for example share childcare responsibilities with their partners or perhaps even take on more.

00:07:42: Their partners also have attractive jobs, and I think that's important as a basis.

00:07:47: And i believe in the end it has an impact on corporate culture when thats are given because then you can counteract things which exist Which to be honest need to addressed namely men who take on child care responsibilities Also come under pressure from traditional corporate cultures so far as its interpreted as male weakness.

00:08:07: So The topic of paternity leave or daddy month.

00:08:11: And that's why I believe that flexible working models as a basic offering, are part of the offering here definitely have positive effect and overall also advance us in our corporate

00:08:22: culture.".

00:08:22: That means that flexible work model has become an integral part of this world.

00:08:30: Mr.

00:08:30: Eibensteiner i'd now like to turn you.

00:08:33: let take look at initiatives.

00:08:36: What initiatives are there to promote women specifically in the First Alpine?

00:08:41: Yes, we've already heard about a few initiatives.

00:08:43: These range from mentoring programs and women's networks... ...to information-and health services that are offered to all employees.

00:08:51: This initiative is very important for me.

00:08:54: I believe this is succession planning for management positions And it is an important task of management if not most importantly And that's where we focus specifically on female talent.

00:09:06: In our management programs, We are really aiming for twenty percent female managers in the programmes and anyone who drops out must automatically be replaced by a woman .In this way ,we're trying to force ourselves and the organisation To simply develop more young female managers.

00:09:24: So First Alpiné is really doing a lot to promote women.

00:09:27: We recently had my podcast episode on the topic of teaching and training at First Alpinae.

00:09:33: Miss Richter, I would like you ask how important it was for girls and young women interested in technology as an early age?

00:09:40: You mentioned this briefly earlier.

00:09:42: Yes i did mention that earlier.

00:09:44: It's crucial we inspire enthusiasm especially among apprentices.

00:09:49: What does that involve?

00:09:51: I think in general, we have the issue that we are training fewer apprentices and also have fewer applicants than in the past.

00:09:57: And we're particularly keen to inspire girls and women which means simply telling them what they can expect.

00:10:05: I think for many girls, learning a few more technical professions is beyond their imagination.

00:10:23: So these are things that are simply important for us to communicate.

00:10:27: And we're very, very active in this area whether it's very locally or as a group communication.

00:10:35: That means information is essential and get them excited about technology at the young age.

00:10:43: Ms.

00:10:43: Jungwerth let me ask you more detailed question.

00:10:47: We talk about apprentices.

00:10:50: How do you perceive the interaction between the apprentices at First Alpine?

00:10:54: Are boys and girls treated as equals, how do they interact with each

00:10:58: other?".

00:10:59: At our company, I can say that boys and girls work together as equals.

00:11:03: This is confirmed by feedback from the specialist departments... ...and i can see it for myself!

00:11:08: However there are of course special situations in which female apprentices feel disadvantaged when they're given the impression.. ..that they are less capable For example When It comes to lifting heavy loads They Feel That They Are Not Trusted To Do So.

00:11:21: But We Know And See That They Really Have The Same Technical And Physical Abilities And The Same Willingness To Perform.

00:11:28: What makes me particularly proud is looking at our technical departments.

00:11:32: We have many positive examples of what women can achieve successfully in the technical areas.

00:11:38: So not only are they fully accepted team members, They also perform excellently and In some cases already take on really responsible tasks.

00:11:46: And these success stories we already have Are actually role models for young women who are considering starting an apprenticeship in a technical profession Which I can absolutely recommend because it is simply exciting Because there's so much to see.

00:12:00: do many opportunities For development.

00:12:06: If someone said to you, oh industry isn't for women.

00:12:10: What would you say?

00:12:12: Well I would invite them come and take a look around our Fus d'Alpine facility And see what women actually achieve here every day whether they are skilled workers managing directors or board members.

00:12:24: There You can also see how important Women Are To Our Actual Success!

00:12:29: And i believe that such A question doesn´t really arise Here.

00:12:33: So to summarize Women are definitely essential industry.

00:12:37: I was quite sure of that.

00:12:39: now let's look ahead Mr.

00:12:40: Eibensteiner far-ahead.

00:12:42: What will first Alpine look like in ten years and what role women play?

00:13:11: of men and women, so that would be a vision.

00:13:34: Miss Sideman, shall we start?

00:13:36: I don't think it's a recipe but i would really like to tell all young women to be brave.

00:13:41: To step out of their comfort zone ,to be confident and to remain true to themselves.

00:13:46: with this authenticity and knowledge of what i can do .I believe that people will notice and you will have a good chance of pursuing a career.

00:13:53: Ms Richter

00:13:54: yes!To add to that I would advise simply forgetting a few prejudices on purpose.

00:13:59: Approach things very openly and really inquire.

00:14:02: Yes, what is it like to work in this company?

00:14:05: Take opportunities.

00:14:06: just take a look!

00:14:07: We have many-many opportunities.

00:14:09: get know each other little And if you approach the subject with truly open mind You will discover how many great opportunities there are.

00:14:17: So that would be my advice

00:14:19: Ms.

00:14:19: Jungworth, do you have a recipe for success?

00:14:22: Yes!

00:14:23: Not many others….

00:14:24: I've summed it up myself as being curious... ...being open, seizing opportunities So –as was already mentioned earlier- putting aside your own standards of perfection which are sometimes a little more pronounced in women making few compromises and seizing opportunity And there're many especially at Foustalpinae.

00:14:41: I think i'm the best example of that myself.

00:14:44: Seizing Opportunities is very nice.

00:14:47: closing remark I would like to express my sincere thanks for this exciting conversation and this deep insight into the topic of female empowerment in The Fusal Pinay.

00:14:59: Thank you very much for your time, The three most important lessons from our conversation today are now briefly summarised for you, dear listeners.

00:15:10: There are a variety of initiatives to promote women in Fus d'Alpine.

00:15:15: They range from mentoring programmes and the establishment of women's networks... ...to information-and health services.

00:15:21: Female role models are extremely important for young female executives.

00:15:26: Flexible working models in FUS D'ALPINE.. ..are a must in order to retain workers in the long term – not just women!

00:15:34: That was a new episode of my podcast.

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