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Margot Slattery is Country President of Sodexo Ireland. A champion
of diversity in the workplace, she talks to us about her definition of success and the benefits of inclusion.
Many of the US and European companies, either based in Ireland or looking to do so in the future, have a culturally diverse and educated workforce with palates to match. They want staff restaurants that are not only up to date with current food trends and provide a high-quality offering, but that also support their employee engagement initiatives, in respect of health and well-being. They also understand the value of outsourcing services that aid the smooth running of their business, leaving them to focus on what they do best.
If I’m not travelling, most days start at 6am with a walk or a run, if I’m feeling particularly energised. After that, it’s meetings with clients, suppliers and support staff. Aside from our own diversity and inclusion activities, I am frequently asked to speak at events on this subject. My evenings are usually taken up with either a client dinner or networking event, then home to catch up with my partner, Sarah. My weekends are kept sacrosanct for private and family life.
The Sodexo Group is the world’s largest multi-services company and my remit is corporate governance and directorial responsibility for growing the various business segments – corporate, government, education, healthcare and homecare – that operate in the Republic and Northern Ireland. We employ over 3,700 people here, providing services that aim to improve the quality of life for our clients.
Strong Corporate Social Responsibility policies, particularly in waste and sustainability, are often high on the list of priorities when potential clients are searching for a supply partner. Sodexo became the first catering and services provider to become a verified member of Origin Green, the Bord Bia (Irish Food Board) initiative – the only sustainability programme in the world that operates on a national scale.
Digital and social media are rapidly changing how we engage with our customers. We must
social media communication and increased investment in technology that offers fast payment options and pre-ordering facilities.
Sodexo began life as a small French company in 1966 and is now the 19th largest employer in the world. It didn’t get there without being open to change and we’re embracing the future by investing in new technology and systems to enhance the vital human dimension of our business. But we’re not quite at A.I. chefs yet!
Ireland is more inclusive. We’ve come on in leaps and bounds. It’s made the country a far more attractive place to live and work. I think most people, when faced with, and included, in the conversation, want to be inclusive, helpful and open. Sometimes fear of difference scares people and they don’t know what to do, but being open to the conversation helps. Of course, there is always room for further growth but I think we have made tremendous strides.
Our diversity brings new perspectives and has enhanced our creativity and ability to problem solve. When it comes to
perspectives and has enhanced our creativity and ability to problem solve.”
continue to match the fast-pace of our customers’ lives with things like enhanced on-site digital and
gender equality, Ireland has some way to go but it is improving. We just need to be brave and be willing
39 INNOVATION IRELAN REVIEW “Our diversity brings new
Margot’s 5 golden rules for getting ahead in business
1. Don’t do to others what you wouldn’t want done to yourself.
2. If it’s too good to be true, it is, so find out the catch before making any decisions.
3. Trust that people want to do the right thing.
4. Be open, creative and listen to different views.
5. Be honest and able to look yourself in the eye with all of your decisions every day.
to challenge bias and stereotypes even more, so we can take full advantage of the fantastic talent on our doorstep.
Success to me is being a visible role model for LGBT and gender equality. Encouraging more people not to be afraid to bring the whole of themselves to their work is key.
In my view, it’s easy to do business here as people are warm and friendly, partnership is very much valued and people want to help. The government is accessible, our beautiful countryside and coastlines are easy to reach from the cities and overall, there is an excellent quality of life. In my experience, working here and abroad over the years, I find Irish people friendly, helpful and open to ideas, with creative and different ways of thinking.
ie.sodexo.com
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