US vs. International Work Culture: Former Equinox CPO Alim Dhanji's Eye-Opening Insights

Summary

The speaker shares insights from their global career, discussing their experiences in six countries, including Hong Kong, Germany, Canada, Australia, and Tanzania. They highlight the importance of a global mindset and the evolving nature of organizations as they scale internationally. The conversation also delves into Equinox's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, emphasizing the organic nature of these efforts. Additionally, the speaker touches on Equinox's approach to work-life balance, supporting employees' well-being through fitness and wellness initiatives. The focus on re-onboarding and creating a unified company culture is also a key takeaway for the company's future growth.

Takeaways

• 😀 The interviewee has worked in multiple countries, including Hong Kong, Germany, Canada, Australia, and Tanzania, with Hong Kong being their favorite due to its dynamic blend of financial services, fashion, and culture.
• 😀 They emphasize the power of being part of an expat community, where individuals support each other in adapting to different cultures while learning and growing professionally.
• 😀 Although Equinox is primarily a US-based company, the interviewee's role involves fostering a global mindset to scale the business internationally, acknowledging the potential for growth outside the US market.
• 😀 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D&I) are deeply embedded in Equinox's culture, with a focus on community and respect for differences rather than compliance-driven initiatives.
• 😀 Equinox's workforce is referred to as a 'community,' highlighting the collaborative and inclusive nature of the organization.
• 😀 The company celebrates diversity in all forms, including a large LGBT+ community and significant transgender representation among its employees.
• 😀 Equinox promotes holistic well-being through initiatives like accessible fitness clubs, wellness apps, and time for meditation and relaxation, supporting employees' physical and mental health.
• 😀 Senior leaders, including the CFO, set an example by participating in fitness activities during the workday, reinforcing the importance of work-life balance.
• 😀 Equinox encourages employees to invest in their own well-being, with the understanding that personal health directly impacts their ability to contribute to the organization.
• 😀 A key initiative for 2024 is the re-onboarding process, which aims to unify the company culture post-pandemic and ensure all employees share a common understanding of the company's core values and mission.

Q & A

How many countries has the speaker worked in and what is their favorite country?

The speaker has worked in six countries and their favorite country is Hong Kong due to its hyper-competitive environment and the blend of financial services, fashion, and culture.

What makes Hong Kong particularly memorable for the speaker?

Hong Kong is memorable for the speaker due to its convergence of financial services, fashion, music trends, and the vibrant expat community, which made the experience both professionally enriching and personally empowering.

How has the speaker’s global experience influenced their current role?

The speaker’s global experience has contributed to their role by providing a global mindset, essential for expanding the company’s growth potential beyond the U.S. market and into international markets.

What is the company's approach to diversity and inclusion?

The company’s approach to diversity and inclusion (D&I) is organic, embedded in the culture rather than being driven by targets or compliance. It involves respecting and celebrating differences within the community and actively supporting diverse employee resource groups (ERGs).

How does the company support diversity and inclusion on a daily basis?

The company supports D&I on a daily basis through active and vibrant ERGs, creating an inclusive environment where employees are encouraged to engage in events and initiatives that celebrate differences and foster collaboration.

What is the company’s stance on the recent pullback from D&I efforts in other organizations?

The company remains committed to D&I, guided by the principle of doing what is right for its people and extended community, despite the pullback seen in other organizations. They focus on supporting all employees and respecting their differences.

How does the company promote work-life balance and personal well-being?

The company promotes work-life balance by integrating wellness into its culture. Employees have access to fitness clubs, meditation resources, and can take time during the day for physical activities without feeling guilty, reinforcing the importance of investing in oneself.

Is work-life balance only encouraged at certain levels in the company?

No, work-life balance is encouraged across all levels of the company. For instance, even the CFO participates in SoulCycle rides during the day, showcasing that the company’s wellness culture is inclusive and accessible to all employees.

What upcoming initiative is the speaker most excited about?

The speaker is excited about the company’s re-onboarding initiative for 2024, which aims to create a cultural moment where employees, both old and new, align with the company’s values and mission, following the disruptions caused by the pandemic.

What does the re-onboarding initiative involve?

The re-onboarding initiative involves a week of cultural experiences and events to unify the company’s workforce, help employees understand the company's purpose, and reinforce the values of collaboration and exceptional service.