Download Interview C GuillauminVA

A Woman's
Perspective
After serving as head of communications for Alcatel
Lucent and SFR, Caroline Guillaumin is currently in
charge of this division at Societe Generale Group,
one of her principal missions is promoting the bank’s
digitalisation around the world. She is one of two
female members on the Executive Committee.
The theme of International Women’s Day
2016 was ‘Parity in 2030: Moving Faster
Towards Gender Equality!’. Are international
groups such as Societe Generale still far
from achieving this parity?
In many European countries and elsewhere,
regulatory pressure has forced large
companies to make parity a priority. While
there is still a long way to go, progress is
definitely being made. A growing number of
executives understand just how vital this
issue is to their company’s performance.
Many women have
already shown that
they’re capable of
integrating the
boards of directors
of large companies,
but for the moment,
they lack visibility.
You’re a member of
the Executive
Committee. What, in Caroline Guillaumin
Head of Group Communication
your opinion, can
What aspects of parity do companies need
women leaders
to better address?
bring to the committee?
I think that the questions of equal pay
We bring a perspective and an
(though major progress can be noted) and
understanding of varied subjects, not
especially the promotion of women, are
simply because we’re women, but also due
issues that have not yet been sufficiently
to basic principles of diversity. The strength
addressed. It is not only a matter of
of an executive committee lies in its
promoting women to management roles,
diversity. If you have a group of people
but of ensuring that in the majority of the
around a table with similar profiles it is
businesses in a company such as ours we
difficult to co-create a dynamic vision that
achieve gender balance. Our performance
achieves results, as debate is limited to its
depends on this.
simplest form. The richness of exchange
starts with introducing people of different
Is parity gaining ground in certain parts of
backgrounds who are capable of
the world?
questioning various stances and, in this
A woman will very likely win the Democratic
way, help the company move forward. The
nomination in the United States presidential
smaller the minority, the harder it becomes
race. Mary Barra (General Motors), Indra K.
to do this. The notion of parity also has a
Nooyi (Pepsi Co),
direct impact on our
Virginia M. Rometty
ability to express our
We bring a perspective and convictions with
(IBM)… these CEOs
of international
an understanding of varied subjects, confidence.
companies are
not simply because we’re women, What does it mean to
examples of this
natural progression
but also due to basic principles of you to be on the
towards parity, and it
Executive Committee
diversity.
is unthinkable to
of an international
claim that these
company?
women have benefitted from positive
As a senior manager, it is an enormous
discrimination. They are simply the
responsibility towards the economic
individuals most qualified for these roles.
environment, even more so when one works
in a bank. As a woman, my first
How would you explain this situation in the
responsibility is to show that we can excel
United States?
in leadership roles while remaining true to
Many women are members of the boards of
ourselves.
directors of American companies and
because of this they gain direct exposure to
The banking sector has long been
executives. This is much less the case in
perceived as a man’s world, at the level of
France, for example, and our Group, with
decision-makers as well as clients. How is
50% of its Board of Directors being women,
digital technology transforming this sector?
remains an exception. The challenge lies in
The digital transition demands that we
developing a rich pool of female talent.
constantly anticipate challenges in the
‘‘
‘‘
world around us and durably maintain the
momentum of our innovation in order to
meet the needs of our clients’ new
lifestyles. This means combining
open-mindedness, agility and flexibility. We
must also rely on employees who reflect the
diversity of our clients. Women naturally
have a role to play in this transformation.
Does digital technology represent a catalyst
of professional progress for women?
It does for everyone, not just for women, as
digital transformation wipes the slate clean.
Playing an active role in this process is a
way of gaining a competitive edge,
regardless of one’s gender. Understanding
the world of digital technology is practically
a question of survival today for every
employee, manager and executive.
Finally, what does it mean to you to be a
digital woman?
It means being a woman of one’s time, no
more. And as such, being able to advance
digital transformation of one’s company.
That is our role as digital women: to always
remain connected to our era, our clients,
our employees and never become
disconnected. For the greatest danger for a
company, and even more so for a bank, is
being disconnected from the world.
What word best describes your professional
commitment towards women?
Four words: ‘be true to yourself’. This is
what best characterises me. Also,
‘pleasure’. That makes five!