Strategies for inclusive growth and innovation: Kavitha Ramachandragowda, Routematic

Embracing diverse perspectives not only enhances decision-making processes but also fuels innovation by bringing together a wide range of ideas and experiences. Currently, there is a need for companies to establish a culture of inclusivity where every individual feels valued and respected, regardless of their background or identity. Kavitha Ramachandragowda, co-founder and executive director, Routematic spoke to Dataquest recently and highlighted the importance of fostering diversity, equity, and creativity within organizations. 

DQ: In your opinion, why is it crucial to include women in the technology landscape, and what specific benefits do they bring to business growth and innovation?

Kavitha Ramachandragowda: Women’s engagement in the technology industry is particularly beneficial and fosters innovation and corporate success for a number of reasons. First and foremost, strong teamwork and communication skills, empathy, flexibility, and resilience are some of the distinctive traits that women leaders naturally bring, which not only benefits businesses in the technology landscape but across any field. Additionally, including women in the technology sector is vital for businesses which need a customer centric approach, as women bring diverse perspectives which serve as a catalyst for innovation in product development, resulting in solutions resonating with a broader consumer base. This diversity of thought is a catalyst for innovation as it brings together different experiences, ideas, and creative solutions. Lastly, encouraging and supporting women to pursue careers in technology and upskill themselves, will also help in tapping into a wider talent pool, which will ultimately benefit the technology sector’s growth in the long run.  

DQ: What are some of the primary challenges that women encounter in today's workforce, particularly in male-dominated fields such as technology, and how can these challenges be addressed effectively?

Kavitha Ramachandragowda: Women face a number of obstacles, including work-life balance constraints, gender prejudice, a lack of representation and leadership opportunities, inadequate support networks and lack of role models. This is especially true in industries like technology where predominantly the bulk of the workforce is male dominated. As a female leader myself in the transportation and technology sector, I have personally encountered obstacles including low representation and gender prejudice. Overcoming these obstacles has required developing a strong support system, producing high-quality work on a regular basis, improving negotiating abilities, and above all, having complete faith in my abilities and embracing challenges as opportunities for growth.  

DQ: Could you share some strategies or initiatives that organizations can implement to foster an inclusive workplace culture that encourages and supports the participation of women?

Kavitha Ramachandragowda: According to the ILO, 52% of Indian women are eager to pursue a job in order to support their family, but they face a number of obstacles. An important factor is the issue of safe and reliable commuting options to and fro work for women employees, particularly for those residing in areas with insufficient public transport facilities and facing last mile connectivity issues. This factor alone often discourages women in joining the workforce, particularly ones which require late working hours. As such, it critical to address these issues on part of employers by making investments in safe and reliable transportation services with technology powered security features. This will play a pivotal role in truly empowering, supporting, and encouraging women to actively participate in the workforce, not only in technology but also across other male-dominated sectors as well.

DQ: For business leaders seeking to enhance women's involvement in their companies, what actionable steps or best practices would you recommend?

Kavitha Ramachandragowda: It is imperative for organizations to establish and foster a culture of inclusivity and diversity, where employee, particularly women feel appreciated and empowered to share their own viewpoints.