Why I rate my employer so high...

In the words of Henry Ford, "Life is a series of experiences, each one of which makes us bigger, even though sometimes it is hard to realize this. For the world was built to develop character, and we must learn that the setbacks and grieves which we endure help us in our marching onward.

I guess this quote summarises what I am going to talk to you about.

Working with Ford in India since 1998, my life, as a women professional, has been has been full of learning and achievements, highs and lows.

Today, I am proud of working in an industry which does not attract those many women professionals - keep aside being termed as 'not suitable for women'.

I am also proud to have broken the gender -myth and contribute to business as a Cycle Count Supervisor, managing inventory stock at Ford Chennai plant.My role today makes me responsible for ensuring stock integrity at the plant through periodic checksof actual physical inspections to eliminate discrepancies.

Converting my limitations into my strengths, the last fifteen years of my life have been high on the learning curve.My heart swells with pride when I spot a Ford 'Ikon' on the roads. It was the first project that I worked on and always felt nervous about the future.

However thanks to the incredibly strong culture of diversity and inclusiveness at Ford, I was and have been able to realize my presentand define my future. Not only me, over the years, this organization has been a catalyst for the growth and success of many women professionals like me and lets them grow.

There are many things that I love about Ford but if what I loved most about the company is the Women's Forum - a platform that encourages engagement amongst all women employees on a periodic basis through off-beat activities. And when I say off-beat, I mean it.

These activities include self-defense workshops, English communication classes, interactive sessions with Ford's senior women leaders and off-sites. Being actively involved with these initiatives has really brought me out of a shell and helped me fly. The encouragement received from the peers and supervisors, has helped me add to my existing education and first complete bachelor's degree in commerce followed by Masters in Business Administration.

Contrary to manufacturing being considered as not suitable for Women, I have never felt out of place. My peers and passion has always helped me through every turn of my life. Not only has that, with changes at personal front, the company helped me strike a healthy balance between work and family commitments.

Today when I look back, I feel satisfied of playing my role both as a mother and professional managing multiple responsibilities to perfection. But had it not been for a conducive and helpful environment, it would not have happened.
Nothing beats the joy of becoming a mother but as a professional, equally special wasreceiving 15 years' service award for being in an Industry that people around me were so apprehensive about.
Last 15 years have taught me that when you are in the right place with the right training, knowledge and ethics, work is not segregated or awarded on the basis of gender. It is on merits! '
 
And merits are the ones which give you immense satisfaction when you look back… whether it is the merit of people in nurturing the talentto merit of being associated with one of the world's best employee centric work atmospheres.

Deivanai Saravanan
Cycle Count Supervisor, Ford India