Dell Technologies is paving with a host of programmes to benefit both the planet and the people such as their Dell Women Entrepreneur’s Network (DWEN) initiative. Their efforts encompass more than that as they are striving towards a better Malaysia by helping to recognise diversity and inclusion in the workforce with their pilot MentorConnect programme which was launched a few weeks ago at its Cyberjaya campus. Prior to this, the Dell Technologies Penang Campus successfully launched their own MentorConnect programme in 2017.

For the uninitiated, the Dell Technologies MentorConnect programme is an initiative by Dell Technologies Malaysia’s Women in Action Employee Resource Group (ERG) that aims to create a supportive and inclusive work environment that empowers and enables women to achieve their goals at each point in their life journey.

The ERG, which has chapters across the world, first initiated the MentorConnect programme at the Dell Technologies Penang campus and the programme has expanded to the Cyberjaya campus and 10 other companies as well including ExxonMobil Business Support Centre Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Petronas, AIG, Motorola Solutions, IHS Markit, Keysight Technologies, National Instruments, UST-Global, Mattel and Boston Scientific.

In effect, the cross-company programme connects 17 mentors and 220 mentees of both genders together to support diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Both mentors and mentees encompass a variety of skill sets across the companies they work in ranging from IT and legal all the way to finance, sales and operations, ensuring a wide variety of experiences and skills to share and impart to mentees across the board.

Dell Technologies and the MentorConnect programme

The Dell Technologies MentorConnect programme at Cyberjaya was launched with the presence of Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, YB Hannah Yeoh, urged Malaysian employers to follow suit in embracing diversity in the workplace. “I commend Dell Technologies and its partners for launching the MentorConnect programme – this inter-company collaboration will help those participating to think out of the box, get new ideas and be inspired by how others are doing things. Furthermore, I encourage the private sector and companies like Dell Technologies to explore ideas beyond the professional and personal development of the workforce, and consider the idea of a family-focused workplace. Initiatives such as setting up a childcare centre in the workplace creates an enabling environment – both for mothers and fathers – for employees to thrive in the workplace. Childcare centres in the workplace not only retains women in the workforce but also assures the parents that their children are in a safe place.”

“At Dell Technologies, we take a business-driven approach to diversity and inclusion. D&I is not a nice-to-have, but a business imperative. As leaders, it’s our responsibility to be active in building a diverse workplace, encourage innovation and provide the resources that can make that a reality,” said Pang Yee Beng, senior vice president, South Asia, and managing director, Malaysia, Dell Technologies. “We’re focused on cultivating an inclusive workplace where all team members feel they can be their true selves. We are immensely proud that Malaysia leads the way in promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace with MentorConnect.”

Dorothy Shekhar, Senior Manager, Demand Acceleration, Global Business Services, Dell Technologies and Women in Action, Dell Technologies Cyberjaya site lead, added: “We’re excited that through MentorConnect, we can make an impact on the rest of the business community outside of Dell Technologies. Together, we’re building the foundation for the next generation of Malaysians to be diverse and progressive leaders.” For more on Dell Technologies’ ERG visit their official page here.