The companies on our 14th Fair360, formerly DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list have better demographics than last year’s listand they’re FAR better than the average Fortune 500 company. However, we see an enormous difference in management, growth and results between companies at the top of our list and those toward the bottom.
Our No. 1 company this year, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (NPC), is a case where successful diversity management grew dramatically because of the support and personal involvement of Andr Wyss, U.S. Country Head, President of Novartis Corporation and President of NPC. Novartis was always a contender, ranked in the middle of the pack for a number of years when it started competing in 2006, but it rose rapidly starting in 2011 as its diversity programs really started gaining traction.
Much like Sodexo, the impetus for the change in emphasis came from a lawsuit. In 2004, a group of women in the sales department at NPC filed a discrimination lawsuit. It was certified as a class action, and the company eventually lost the case in 2010. The lawsuit cost the company hundreds of millions in damages and expenses. The mistreatment of women was limited to that departmentNPC’s human-capital data, including management representation and promotions within management, showed that it was always better than the Fair360, formerly DiversityInc Top 50 average for women. But, no doubt about it, Novartis lost this suit for good reasons.
Coincidentally, I was invited to speak at NPC the week the case was decided. I was surprised the company let me speak (given the timing), but I soon learned this is Andr Wyss’ style. I gave a general diversity presentation, but at the end I said, “Let’s address the elephant in the room,” and talked about how badly everyone must feel, but that what they dodevelop one breakthrough pharmaceutical after anotheris important to all human kind, and that they needed to pick themselves up and get back to work for everyone’s benefit.
Andr stepped up his emphasis on diversity management. He had me present to his executive committeeand asked me to be very specific, not to sugarcoat the advice. The data and attendant best practices were scrutinized and emphasis was placed on accountability and results. One by one, very powerful (and diverse) leaders, who were already advocates of diversity and inclusion, were promoted. Rhonda Crichlow became the Chief Diversity Officer; she is a serious-minded lawyer who does not suffer fools gladly. Perhaps the greatest indication of success is how pleased she is with NPC’s progressand with the support of Andr.
Today, women make up more than 50 percent of Andr’s direct reports, including scientific positions. I’m pleased to say that Andr is a “real man” (he talks about his children) and the women reporting to him are “real women” (they talk about their families as well). It’s an amazingly gentle culture for one so driven for success. Like the other companies in our Fair360, formerly DiversityInc Top 10, I see the interaction with the senior executive to be humanwarm, engaging and, at times, with humor.
I let Andr know about earning the No. 1 spot before our event, and we had lunch. Tellingly, he was primarily interested in discussing how to leverage NPC’s No. 1 status to recruit more diversity. And a word to the other very competitive companies: He also wants to remain in the No. 1 spot.
