Making a difference to the world outside Deloitte
Two weeks of work experience with Deloitte made a world of difference to Myles Boaten and Manny Bamigbola, two secondary school students from south east London.
Fourteen year-old Myles Boaten, a student at The Business Academy Bexley in London's Thamesmead neighbourhood, learned a lot during two weeks of work experience with our HR team earlier this summer.
Explains Myles: "My time with Deloitte taught me how to manage day-to-day life as a worker within a large organisation. It taught me how to put together a good CV. And I improved my information and communications technology skills a lot, too - because of the time I spent on one of the firm's editorial training courses and also creating content for the firm's intranet," he says.
Adds Manny: "Everyone I met in HR was really welcoming, friendly and highly knowledgeable. And, overall, I found my time with Deloitte exciting, enjoyable and challenging".
Switzerland Women's Initiative Network
Launched on International Women's Day 2007, the Deloitte Women's Initiative Network (WIN) provides women across the Swiss firm with access to role models and a forum through which to raise and discuss issues relevant to women in the workplace. The Network organises monthly lunches for women of all levels from across the business to share ideas and discuss issues. In addition, WIN organises regular events with talks and discussions led by prominent Swiss women. Most recently, Barbara Ludwig, spoke about her experience as former Chief of the Victims and Witnesses Section of the UN International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague. Deloitte plans to extend the reach of WIN by holding events for women from the external business community, and by working with the Global Advancement of Women network. Jackie Hess, tax partner and leader of WIN, comments: "Through our Women's Initiative Network in Switzerland we aim to celebrate and recognise women and to help make Deloitte a magnet for Switzerland's most talented women. We are committed to the development, mentoring and preparation of Swiss women to be the next generation of business leaders".
Women's Initiative
Beth Green, an assistant director in our Corporate Finance service line, is living proof of the development dividends the network is delivering.
Explains Beth: "Since signing up, I've been able to network with women in the firm whom I wouldn't otherwise have met. In particular, the events have given me access to a number of senior female partners who've built successful careers here at Deloitte - while providing me also with insights into other areas of our organisation. It's also been very reassuring to realise that other women in the firm are facing many of the same issues I am - and to learn how they're dealing with them".
"I'm better motivated at work all round, because I feel there is a balance in my life."
Guernsey-based Jo Huxtable - a director in our Tax service line - works three long days Wednesday to Friday and from 8.30am to 2.30pm on Monday, making up the hours on other days - including during the evening. Explains Jo: "Being able to work flexibly means a lot to me, as it allows me to spend time with my children after school during the week and, therefore, have more of a work-life balance."
"While at work, I'm focused and organised enough to ensure I can complete work within the reduced hours. And when I'm at home, I'm happier - as I have time with my family, which is very important to me. The business doesn't suffer because of these arrangements, as I ensure I'm available at all times. And, in any case, my clients are aware of my hours and we work around them without any problems.
"Meanwhile, I'm better motivated at work all round, because I feel there is a balance in my life, which makes me more productive. And with the business helping me to balance life inside and outside work, I feel like putting more back in when I am at work".
Flexible working playing a big part in sailing star's global success
Southampton-based Ben Field, a senior associate in our Audit service line, began to work flexibly at Deloitte even before he joined the firm.
Explains Ben: "After accepting my job offer in 2005, I asked if I could begin one week later than the rest of my intake - so I could compete in the European Sailing Championships. The firm kindly allowed me to do so and, in return, I was able to bring back a gold medal for Great Britain".
Nevertheless, having only just joined the firm, Ben felt daunted by the prospect of asking for extra leave. However, he found himself pleasantly surprised by the "relaxed and open" way that the Southampton partnership took his special situation on board. Says Ben: "The partners seemed really keen for me to continue to compete internationally - and were, therefore, happy to help me do that wherever possible. Meanwhile, my more immediate colleagues have been supportive, too. They see I'm doing something unusual, and are interested whenever I take time off to compete".
Being able to work flexibly brings benefits to our business, too: "Being able to work flexibly in order to pursue my passion, and represent the country, makes me feel valued - rather than like I'm just some tiny cog in a huge machine. It leaves me wanting to work as hard as I can, and to give as much back to my colleagues and clients - and to the firm - as possible."
"Meanwhile, allowing me to work this way shows the outside world that our people have more to offer than just business advice.
"My experience at Deloitte is proof that a demanding career doesn't need to stop you from continuing to achieve your dreams outside work."
Summer sabbatical helps partner put family first
Conrad Young, a Tax partner based in our London campus, took three months off to spend summer with his wife and three children. Here, he talks about the benefits the break delivered to him, his family - and to the firm.
Why did you take a sabbatical?
"My wife extended her maternity leave and I wanted to spend some time with her, my then seven-month-old daughter and my two teenage boys - both of whom were on their summer holiday."
How did your team and your fellow partners react when you told them you were taking the summer off?
"Most of them were interested in what I was doing - and why. I think they thought it was a good thing to do - and seemed pleased for me."
What did you do on your sabbatical?
"I quite deliberately set out to achieve nothing - no new languages or musical instruments, for example. As a result, I met my objectives! Instead, I spent my time drinking coffees in Costa with the mums of my daughter's friends. I also hit the gym quite a bit. And we spent a month windsurfing in Cyprus, as well as a couple of weeks relaxing in the south of France."
What did you gain from your sabbatical, personally and professionally?
"I got a great three months with my family, at a really good time in their lives. And I must confess to catching up on some reading around the innovation and technology arena. So I guess I brought back a bit more insight - and a lot more energy."
Internal move proves just the job
Last year, Simon Davis - then a London-based manager in our Audit service line - found himself at a career crossroads.
"My Audit job had taught me a huge amount. However, having predominantly worked for the same client for several years, I needed a change - to accelerate my rate of development again."
Simon decided to look for his next opportunity within another service line - and eventually transferred into our Corporate Finance Insurance practice.
This new role has seen Simon working on financial due diligence projects for insurance brokers and companies, commercial due diligence and strategic advisory work in the corporate and Lloyd's markets - and on secondment for six weeks with a City client.
"The variety of work and people I've been exposed to since starting the new job fully vindicates my decision to pursue an internal opportunity," he says. "My learning curve has steepened again, I've gained new skills, improved my market and commercial knowledge hugely - and broadened my internal and external network".
Flexible working allows Audit manager to take time off for first love
Since joining Deloitte as a graduate five years ago, Gatwick-based Audit manager Tom Paine has regularly used the firm's flexible working arrangements to meet his commitments to the Crawley Operatic Society. Performing to audiences of up to 3,500 a night, Tom's involvement with the society sees him play different parts in shows such as Hello Dolly, 42nd Street, Guys and Dolls and Barnum - as well as acting as the society's treasurer.
With rehearsals taking place one to two nights a week throughout the year, Tom agrees with his colleagues in advance which days he'll need to leave on time or early, making up the hours on other days. Says Tom: "The firm's ability to deliver flexible working pays dividends for both me and for Deloitte. I get to indulge my passion by being involved in up to two large-scale productions a year - which makes a very positive contribution to my motivation and enthusiasm when I'm at work".