By Vish Viswanathan
Bayer Bazaar showcases cultural mix
Australian companies are becoming more culturally diverse, states a recent report by the Diversity Council of Australia. In particular, there has been significant growth in cultural diversity on Boards in the past decade – by as much as 74% and 61%. The Business Review Weekly (BRW) – Fast Starters list of 2014 also consists of many fast growing companies in Australia whose Chief Executives are from diverse backgrounds.
This was evidenced in the ‘Bayer Bazaar’ Diversity and Inclusion Harmony day celebration held on March 20, an event coordinated by BAYER Australia, a prominent healthcare organisation at their headquarters in Pymble.
Almost 300 people gathered enthusiastically at ‘Bayer Bazaar’ to enjoy a variety of events that highlighted multicultural diversity in Australia. Chefs cooked up a storm, showcasing the flavours of Spain, India and Mexico. A range of very delightful cultural performances included Bollywood, Caribbean and belly dancing, drumming and henna tattooing, throughout the afternoon. The Bazaar was a grand success, and could be considered as a role model for similar corporate events looking to celebrate multiculturalism.
Gandhi Creations, an award winning organisation that specialises in cultural diversity events and led by the dynamic Sonia Gandhi, was the brains behind the event.
Said Chief Guest MP Matt Kean, New South Wales Parliamentary Secretary for Communities and Hornsby, “I am pleased that a company like Bayer Australia, in my electorate, values and celebrates the cultural diversity of its workforce. Bayer has programs in place to ensure diversity competencies are incorporated in leadership, the work environment and the way people cross-collaborate – making these behaviours and attitudes integral to the culture of the organisation and leading to a respectful and harmonious place to work.”
Mr Kean presented a certificate in appreciation of diversity at the workplace to Rene Klemm, General Manager, Bayer HealthCare. “Diversity and inclusion is a key part of the culture at Bayer and is supported at the highest level,” said Mr Klemm. “Our organisation actively encourages a cultural and gender diverse employee mix as we believe it makes for a stronger and more innovative company,” he added. “We can always do more, but stopping to recognise what we currently have and celebrate each other is very important and most pleasing.”
In Australia and New Zealand, Bayer has invested significantly in local research and manufacturing for more than 80 years. Its products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. Known worldwide as an inventor company, Bayer employs around 1200 people in Australia and New Zealand, and 110,000 people worldwide. In 2013, Bayer generated A$1.015billion in revenue in the ANZ region. At the centre of the company’s people strategy is the Bayer Spirit which includes “creating a great place to work, achieving the personal best from people and refining people systems.”