Diverse workforce increases productivity, says Sonal Bisht

On International Women’s Day, we interviewed  Sonal Bisht, Head of Corporate Communications EMEA at Poly, to learn more about her professional journey, challenges, and much more. Continue reading to learn more about a remarkable woman in technology.

TECHx: What inspired you to pursue a career in technology?

Sonal: I wanted to do something challenging in terms of world advancement. The technology industry was a no-brainer, but it was a matter of finding the right fit. I tested the waters before joining Poly a few years ago. Poly offered everything that I was looking for – a great workplace, amazing culture and colleagues, and the ability to work from anywhere.

TECHx: How have you dealt with challenges throughout your career?

Sonal: Even after landing a position within the IT industry, it is important to maintain an open mind to potential opportunities. Every company is structured in a different way, hence runs differently. Hiding away lets you grow neither professionally, nor personally. Even though taking the next step can be hard at times, it is important to get your step out of your comfort zone and give your best.

TECHx: How do gender balance and a diverse workforce contribute to the success of an organisation?

Sonal: I think that it is important to fuel motivational thinking and shake up the organisational mantel with good opportunities, and capable employees. A diverse workforce helps increase productivity among employees as they become enabled to interact with people from different backgrounds, driving them to open their mindsets. 

TECHx: Do you have a female role model? If so, who is she and how has she inspired you?

Sonal: My role model is my mum, mainly because she has been there for my siblings and me growing up, and throughout our lives in general. She has single-handedly supported us every step of the way.

TECHx: What is it about your work that excites you?

Sonal: I love the high-energy and innovative grounds that we work in. Supporting something totally new in the market, whether it is a product launch or totally new software, keeps me on my toes to do more creative storytelling. Poly amazes me in so many ways – it is about my colleagues, our brand, and how my company lets me be me, to take care of my family without any barriers.

TECHx: With technology moving so fast, how do you remain updated?

Sonal: I roll up my sleeves quite a lot. This needs to be done to keep abreast of the technical changes. I guess being shy isn’t going to lead us anywhere. Get in there as fast as possible and be on a continuous hunt to one-up yourself from yesterday. There is always another better way of doing things. Look for it.

TECHx: What’s your favorite motivational quote?

Sonal: “Show up.” You will be amazed to find out how you can contribute even though you thought this isn’t your forte. Simply showing up can build careers and boost your social life. 

TECHx: Among all the gadgets you use, which is your favorite?

Sonal: My digital watch to keep me organised, and my mobile phone to work on PowerPoint presentations and a plethora of other documents on the go. Poly as a destination employer offers the agility to work from anywhere not only to its customers but also employees. As a result, we are technically quite advanced as a workforce and we are quite used to being on meetings with a combination of video and audio participants. It is about equality, and even “meeting equality” for us. 

TECHx: When it comes to progressing in a leadership role, what are the most important traits?

Sonal: As a leader, I believe that it is important to not lose focus on your career ambitions and company goals as a team player. Learning is supposed to be continuous. Encouraging employees to find new lessons to upskill is an essential characteristic for someone at the managerial level, especially when you think about the fact that STEM is a competitive sector with continuous innovation. Working with employees who are eager to learn, and understanding different approaches required for individual employees is also important.

TECHx: Can you give one piece of advice to young females who are considering careers in tech?

Sonal: I have heard about, and from, several women who voluntarily step out of job applications because of the fear that their not good enough for the role, or they might not be able to keep up with meeting requirements. I do have some advice I would like to pass on;  you may not have all the skills you need right now, but the whole point of getting a job, is to get experience and learn from that. No one knows how to run IT functions right from the start. The entire career journey is all about personal and professional development and learning. The job experience will teach you what you don’t know, only then will you learn it.