Women in Leadership Program Advances Hilton Worldwide’s Talent Development Strategy
SHANGHAI, March 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Women in Leadership Committee of Hilton Worldwide Greater China & Mongolia released the results of a survey conducted among female employees in China. At the same time, Hilton Worldwide hosted a Women in Leadership Conference attended by 175 leaders and outstanding female talents from the company’s China operations.
In recent years, the number of female leaders in China has grown year by year, doubling in a short period and now occupying half of the leadership positions [1]. Additionally, in this year’s Forbes Asia’s Power Businesswomen list, Chinese women occupied numerous spots, far outnumbering their counterparts from other Asian countries [2]. In response, Hilton Worldwide launched a Women in Leadership program in China.
“In today’s rapidly evolving world, where globalization and interconnectivity are increasingly prevalent, leveraging all human, social, and economic resources is crucial to business success. Moreover, various studies have shown that inclusiveness of people with diverse perspectives and experiences can significantly enhance company performance,” said Marty Heitzmann, President, Asia Pacific, Hilton Worldwide. “That’s why one year ago we signed the United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principles to promote fair treatment of our female employees. We are identifying high-performing, high-potential individuals who are capable and eager to grow, and working to create a more supportive work environment for women to become leaders and role models.”
In February 2015, the Women in Leadership Committee of Hilton Worldwide Greater China & Mongolia invited independent third-party consultancy firm ODI Advisory & Management to conduct a survey among female employees across 54 hotels in China, with 5,700 respondents completing the questionnaire.
The following are the key findings from the survey:
- 64% of respondents stated, “Fair treatment by management is an important factor influencing their career development.”
- 60% of respondents indicated, “Providing professional career planning is crucial to achieving their career aspirations.”
- 50% of respondents said, “The company’s support system for promotion and job rotation is very important.”
These survey results highlight how Hilton Worldwide is fostering a corporate culture of gender equality through its talent development strategy, making employees feel valued and respected, and encouraging them to realize their full potential.
Having learned about employees’ needs for training and career development, the company has launched a series of activities to provide learning opportunities and skills for effective career planning. Globally, Hilton Worldwide offers programs such as the Hilton Executive Council Diversity Exchange and the Women in Leadership Development Program for female employees at the management level, providing them with opportunities to engage with and learn from senior executives.
Li Pinghai, Vice President of Human Resources, Hilton Worldwide Greater China & Mongolia, said: “Female talents are seeking support systems for promotion and job rotation, and Hilton Worldwide is continuously striving to create a work environment conducive to cultivating female leadership. To this end, Hilton Worldwide provides numerous networking opportunities and mentoring programs for female employees. Meanwhile, the company’s Gender Equality Committee is also committed to better understanding the needs of female talents in the region.”
The Women in Leadership Conference aims to inspire and empower Hilton Worldwide’s female talents and leaders, helping them recognize their contributions to the company’s business growth and their impact on the world, and take pride in these achievements. Furthermore, the conference serves as a valuable platform for sharing knowledge, facilitating communication, and exchanging ideas in alignment with Hilton Worldwide’s vision of excellence, talent development, and equal opportunities for all employees.
About Hilton Worldwide
Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) is one of the most recognized hotel management companies in the world, with a portfolio of brands including luxury, full-service, resorts, focused-service, and extended-stay hotels. For 95 years, Hilton Worldwide has been dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences around the globe. Hilton Worldwide owns twelve premier hotel brands, operating, managing, franchising, or leasing over 4,300 hotels and timeshare properties, with more than 715,000 rooms, in 94 countries and territories, including: Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Curio – A Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton, and Hilton Grand Vacations. The award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors® is also operated by Hilton Worldwide. For more information, visit news.hiltonworldwide.com, and connect with Hilton Worldwide on www.facebook.com/hiltonworldwide, www.twitter.com/hiltonworldwide, www.youtube.com/hiltonworldwide, www.flickr.com/hiltonworldwide, and www.linkedin.com/company/hilton-worldwide.
- “Why Does China Produce So Many Female Billionaires?” Fortune, January 15, 2015
- “Asia’s Power Businesswomen 2015,” Forbes Asia, February 25, 2015