Women's Equality in Telin: Celebrating Progress and Addressing Ongoing Challenges

As we celebrate International Women’s Day globally, this year’s theme of #EmbraceEquity strikes a chord. At Telin, there’s no question that without the many multiple women working here, we would not be where we are today. 

From the start of Telin’s journey, women have been entrusted with senior positions. Shortly after Telin was first established in 2007, Septika Widyasrini was appointed to be the CEO of Telin’s first subsidiary, namely Telin Singapore.

Tan Siew Hwa, Telin’s Finance Business Partner VP,  remembers, “I joined Telin when Ibu Septika was the CEO of Telin Singapore.  It was inspiring to see that she received much respect among her peers in Telin who were mainly males.  Although the Asian social culture is still largely patriarchal, in Telin’s workplace, success was very much based on capabilities and meritocracy.”

Over time, as the company grew, more and more women have risen to senior management. At the Vice President (VP) level, for example, the number of women has risen by more than 4x over the last decade. In 2013 there were only two female VPs, and now in 2023 there are nine female VPs spearheading Telin’s business in different countries, which is unusual in the telco industry.

Unsurprisingly, the prominent role of women at Telin has also coincided with strong progress and growth for Telin. As studies by McKinsey & Company and Harvard Business Review note, gender diversity and inclusion are correlated with above better profitability.

So, how can businesses keep and retain senior women?

Much has been written about senior women leaving the workplace, leaving businesses with a serious brain drain. Telin has mitigated this among others by building a culture of respect, flexibility and visibility where women are concerned.

Rini Fitriani, Financial Accounting & Asset Management VP who is also a recipient of Telin’s Best Hero with a Tie Awards 2022 stated, “In Telin you are heard for your words and not your gender. Telin programs are open to all genders equally and no gender is specified for job assignments/ fulfilments/ placements.”

Flexibility is another important aspect. In addition to equitable career advancement and development opportunities, women at Telin have benefited from flexible working arrangements which have supported many to better balance their home and work duties.

And finally, the visibility of benefits and facilities such as a nursing room and refrigerator dedicated for storing breastmilk as well as three months of maternity leave which employees are encouraged to take in full, show that women are truly welcome and that the company accommodates their needs. Such messages often speak louder in normalizing the environment for women.

Advice from senior Telin women leaders

That said, balancing work and family at Telin is not always easy, regardless of gender. How have the women at Telin managed to do it?

1. Time management & prioritization

For Bellinda Lee, Head of North Asia & Central Asia Sales at Telin, time management is her mantra.

“Time management is key to work-life balance because it helps me to prioritize my tasks, set realistic goals, and allocate sufficient time to work, personal, and leisure activities. It allows me to achieve my goals and responsibilities while still having time for family and personal pursuits, which can help reduce stress and improve overall well-being.”

Kelly Chan, Telin’s Finance Business Partner VP, echoed this sentiment, saying, “I always prioritize my time based on importance and urgency, set boundaries between work and personal life, and delegate tasks to others when possible.”

2. Look for role models 

It’s always faster to improve if you can find role models to learn from and copy. 

Nayan Paranjape, Telin’s Digital Marketplace Enabeler VP who just recently joined Telin, was thrilled to see so many women leaders already excelling in their roles in various functions. “I am happy that Telin has set an example of great diversity in all functions.”

3. Focus, but also make time to recharge

“When I leave home for work, I make sure all domestic things that need my attention are taken care of, likewise when I leave the office to go home. So my mind will not be distracted by other things at different places. Having time to do hobbies is also important to release stress,” say Augustriana Indriasary (Sendy), Telin’s Settlement and Billing Collection VP. 

4. Be of service to others

This is a great ethos not just for work, but also for life. Laila Fitriana, Telin’s Legal and Compliance VP, draws inspiration from the Javanese saying, “Ing Ngarsa Sung Tuladha, Ing Madya Mangun Karsa, Tut Wuri Handayani'. This means to set an example at the front, fully support the middle, and boost the spirit from behind. 

By doing so, you can build strong and supportive relationships that benefit you personally while also advancing your work.

5. Be confident and rise to the challenge

Studies show that women often underestimate their abilities compared with men. But unless you tackle new opportunities, you won’t go far.

Suntanna Bi, Voice Mobility Sales VP and the recipient of Telin's Women Leadership Award 2022, is located in Taipei, while her team is distributed in Jakarta, Malaysia, Hong Kong, among others. She admits that the remote distribution can be a challenge: “My team is located in various countries, so I can’t work with them daily in person.”

But, Suntanna has confidently stepped up. She says, “I manage my team based on trust. With this foundation and by always listening, trying to offer support when needed but still giving room for each person, I found that mutual respect and support among us are established and together we form a solid team.”

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