Cultural & Linguistic Diversity at Protiviti
The Multicultural ENG promotes an inclusive working environment and creates a network in which employees of all cultures, races, nationalities, and ethnicities feel accepted and valued.
A diverse multicultural network of employees allows our organisation to bring the best to our clients, communities and workforce. As a team, we work diligently to promote a supportive working environment and to grow an innovative network in which employees of all cultures, races, nationalities and ethnicities feel accepted and valued. In our Australia office alone, we employ individuals from Tibet, China, Mongolia, Malaysia, United Kingdom (UK), India, New Zealand, Lebanon, United States of America (USA), Indonesia and more.
Introducing Protiviti’s Prakash Rajandran and Vikas Sharma
Multiculturalism is nothing new for Prakash and Vikas, both of whom have been with Protiviti for approximately two and a half years. Born in Malaysia with an Indian background, Prakash has been exposed to people of different cultures from his childhood days. He studied at university in Australia before returning to Malaysia to work with a professional services firm serving a global client base. After three years in Malaysia, Prakash transferred to the firm’s Melbourne office. He continued to work with global clients and then moved into the commercial space. Over the next 9 years he played a key role in establishing the internal function of a major Australian transport infrastructure business and in building the risk and insurance function for a business unit later divested to a global alternative asset manager.
Vikas hails from India, though he considers both India and Australia home. He spent some of his younger years in Australia before his family returned to India. Vikas came back to study Engineering, Telecommunications and Electronics at the Australian National University, as well as an MBA at the Australia Graduate School of Management. He then settled in Australia, where he has lived for the past 17 years.
Q. What’s your background and how did you come to join Protiviti?
Prakash: I was born and bred in Malaysia of Indian background. Malaysia is a multicultural country, often portrayed by three major ethnic groups; Malay, Chinese and Indian — collectively referred to as Malaysians. Spending almost 20 years in Malaysia allowed me to clearly appreciate the merits of operating in a diverse cultural environment. A strong understanding and appreciation of these cultural differences is key to getting the best out of our people.
As to how I landed at Protiviti, I was looking at returning to professional services after almost nine years in the commercial space. So, I reached out to a few of my close contacts and they strongly recommended Protiviti. As part of the interview process, I met with key senior leaders of the firm. I accepted the role not just because of the work and personal growth opportunities but also the sincerity demonstrated by those leaders. They were very open and honest, which from my point of view demonstrates a great working culture.
Vikas: I was born and raised in India but have spent most of my adulthood in Australia, which puts me in a unique position to bring perspectives of two completely different cultures. I am proudly a product of both Australia and India and bring that to work every day.
I joined Protiviti because I wanted to try something different. I followed the footsteps of former colleagues I trusted and decided to build my career in consulting. I have not regretted my decision since. For me, the culture at Protiviti is its best asset, and I want to play my part to foster and protect it. It was the reason I joined the Protiviti Australia’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee — to make a difference through the Multicultural Network.
Q. Why is it important to have a workforce reflective of various backgrounds and cultures?
Prakash: Multiculturalism is so important, as diversity improves both work culture and business performance. We need to remember everyone is different, and this difference brings opportunity, enhanced understanding and power to our organisation. Embracing diversity helps us challenge the status quo and reflect a workplace where the whole really is greater than the sum of its parts.
At Protiviti, we give people equal opportunity. We recognise people from different cultures, and we allow them to grow also provide mentorship and/or sponsorships, so opportunities can be endless.
How do we get the best out of people? How do we nurture them? When asking these types of questions, we are able to invest in people from the start and promote their success over time.
Vikas: Quite simply, it is non-negotiable in this age. We are a global firm and clients look to partner with us because we bring that blend of backgrounds and experience to them. Our potential recruits want to see that Protiviti is committed to diversity when deciding to join us, and our teams need to be balanced for us to provide unique perspectives to our clients. Therefore, we work together and are constantly looking to improve. For example, the firm recognised the need to set up a network that supports the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and that initiative has recently launched Protiviti’s inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan.
Through these developments, we are learning and making progress against our multiculturalism and broader diversity and inclusion targets. We want to be the firm that inspires people, and we are on the right track. I am so incredibly proud to be part of that journey.