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#MyWTW: Creating Connections Between Speech and Hearing-Impaired Colleagues
Pensions Administration Advisor, Karuna Jose, shares her experience of what it’s like to work at Willis Towers Watson while being a speech and hearing-impaired colleague. Discover how our inclusive culture and support from our colleagues helped her to seamlessly communicate with her team at the office and as we transitioned to working from home.
How long have you worked at Willis Towers Watson?
I recently celebrated my first year at Willis Towers Watson.
What are you responsible for at Willis Towers Watson?
My role involves assisting various Technology and Administrative Solutions clients. As the global pandemic developed, our clients started working from home, which resulted in an increased volume of client queries. However, I was able to successfully meet the service level agreements that we have with our clients. This was a rewarding experience that increased my expertise, strengthened my confidence as a professional and gave me the opportunity to participate in new client-facing projects.
How was your experience of joining Willis Towers Watson as a speech and hearing-impaired colleague?
Joining a new company can be overwhelming and this is especially true when you are differently-abled. Being speech and hearing-impaired, I’ve always been apprehensive about communicating with new colleagues.
On my first day at Willis Towers Watson, I was amazed to find out that the company’s Mumbai Inclusion & Diversity core committee and the Talent Acquisition team had partnered with Eklayva Foundation to conduct a two-day workshop for my team to get acquainted with the basics of Indian sign language. This made me feel welcomed and provided an insight into the company’s culture and commitment to make everyone feel comfortable in bringing their true selves to work.
How has this differed from past experiences?
My experience as a new colleague at Willis Towers Watson was completely different from what I’ve encountered in the past. In other organizations, I would sometimes struggle to communicate with other colleagues. My former team members and I would type out messages in order to have conversations with each other which was very time-consuming.
The fact that a few Willis Towers Watson colleagues already knew sign language made it easy to not only coordinate tasks but also strike a conversation, express myself, and build healthy relationships.
How did Willis Towers Watson help you to seamlessly communicate with other colleagues?
Colleagues who work closely with me attended the Eklayva Foundation workshop that the company had organized on sign language, which helped to set good foundations for communication. This was the first time that a workshop like this had taken place at Willis Towers Watson India, so I was very grateful to experience the results of it on my first day.
How did you adapt as we transitioned to working remotely during COVID-19?
I am used to working with colleagues and teams in person. As the pandemic continued to develop, I started feeling anxious and stressed at the thought of working from home, since this could potentially impact how I communicate with other colleagues. However, this was not the case thanks to Willis Towers Watson’s support and internal communication platforms.
I must say technology has played a crucial role in my work from home experience. Since some of my colleagues understand how to use Indian sign language, video conversations are mainly what we use to communicate during trainings, one-on-one meetings and daily interactions with the team. Also, popular messaging apps help me to stay connected with fellow team members.
Is there anyone you would like to thank or who was integral to your experience?
I am extremely thankful to my colleagues, Asha and Rajiv, for always being there for me and making my experience so fruitful. I also appreciate the technical support and workshop on sign language organized by the company that has made communication seamless and effective.
What is your favorite part about working for Willis Towers Watson?
I love to work across the different areas at Willis Towers Watson and my team has always guided me to excel in every task. The company culture and the values leave no stone unturned to make every colleague feel appreciated, I truly respect this.
I also appreciate the fact that Willis Towers Watson’s unwavering commitment to I&D truly gave me the tools to carry out my daily operations confidently. Each of my colleagues has exemplified the inclusive culture of the company. They clearly know how to create connections between the hearing and hearing-impaired world. These thoughtful efforts are a direct reflection of the culture and this is truly inspiring.
What advice would you give to a differently-abled person that is looking to apply for a role at Willis Towers Watson?
I would encourage them to join an organization like Willis Towers Watson in order to experience the all-inclusive culture that connects colleagues and creates an environment where they can reach their full potential.
Learn more about our different roles and business areas here.
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#MyWTW: Completing an application and starting a new position virtually during lockdown
Head of Global Security Operations, Marvi Napoles, joined Willis Towers Watson a couple of months ago. Discover Marvi’s insights on starting a new job during lockdown and some great tips on completing online interviews.
How long have you worked at Willis Towers Watson?
I’ve been at Willis Towers Watson for just over two months.
What are you responsible for at Willis Towers Watson?
My team is responsible for ensuring the timely detection, triage and appropriate escalation of security events that might affect the availability, confidentiality and integrity of Willis Towers Watson’s data and systems.
How did you find the virtual recruitment process?
It started with one of our recruiters reaching out via LinkedIn who told me that Willis Towers Watson was looking for a Head of Global Security Operations based in the Philippines. Although I wasn’t looking to change jobs, the recruiter’s friendly and professional approach, along with Willis Towers Watson’s good reputation and culture, made me look into the opportunity and apply.
What did you like most about the recruitment process?
I was impressed with the level of detail and effort that recruiters put in to make me feel comfortable and ensure that the process ran smoothly. For example, I received timely and detailed communication about my interview schedule, interviewers’ names and technological specifications (since all the interviews took place virtually due to the lockdown).
I was also very pleased with the fact that my recruiter reached out regularly to let me know about the status of my application and next steps.
What would you recommend to a candidate who’s preparing for an online interview at Willis Towers Watson?
When you are invited to an online interview, you need to make sure that technology will be on your side. This means planning ahead:
- If your internet connection is stronger at certain times of the day, see if you can arrange your interview during that period, while bearing in mind the time zone of your interviewer(s)
- Check you have installed the required conference call software – this also includes checking that your audio and camera are working. Remember to pick a quiet, private place where you won’t be interrupted
- Join the interview a couple of minutes early – that way you’ll be able to check that everything is working and relax into your interview
Starting a new job can be a stressful experience. Did you have any concerns about starting a new role virtually?
I cannot deny the fact that sometimes starting a new job can be a bit stressful, particularly because we’re still adapting to the ‘new normal’. However, I was still very excited and enthusiastic. I was concerned about how teamwork and collaboration might be affected by starting a new role virtually. While I don’t think we can replace the benefit of interacting live in person, technology has empowered me and my colleagues to stay connected through video calls.
How do you stay connected with your team and other colleagues?
With the current situation, we have had to get creative about staying connected online. While normally team building activities with colleagues is something typically done in person, we have moved this to the virtual sphere. As well as being present on team catch ups and organizing one to one sessions with my colleagues, we have built a Microsoft Teams group where we share some of what we do outside of work hours. This has proven to be a great tool to find out about my colleagues’ hobbies and interests outside of work!
How was your first day and week at Willis Towers Watson?
The local HR and IT team managed to safely send to my home all the necessary equipment ahead of my first day. I also received a welcome package from the company with some helpful guides on how to get started and with some important contact information.
During my first week I focused on introducing myself to my team and to other colleagues around the globe. My manager was also very helpful and involved me in meetings that helped me dive into the work and understand our main priorities and projects. Even though I’m quite new within the company, what I love the most about working here is the opportunity we’re given to collaborate with different teams and meet colleagues from different business segments and parts of the world. These first couple of months have been exciting, different, and full of positive experiences. I’m looking forward to what the future will bring for me and my colleagues at Willis Towers Watson.
Learn more about our different roles and business areas here.
MEET PoonamYadav
Analyst, Pensions Administration
Team Pensions Administration
Segment Human Capital and Benefits
Location Mumbai, India
Year hired 2018
University/Degree Mumbai University
Personal skills or interests:
I have always been inclined towards teaching and mentoring. I like to keep myself updated and learn new things in my spare time. Other than this, I love traveling to new places and experiencing new cultures.
Can you tell us about your history with Willis Towers Watson?
I joined Willis Towers Watson as an analyst in pensions valuations in May 2018. It’s been almost three years since I joined the company and I must say that my journey to becoming a subject matter expert in this area has been enriching and fulfilling.
I had a background in insurance and with adequate assistance and training, I soon acquired the knowledge and expertise required for my role. The continuous support and excellent training provided by my senior colleagues have helped me channel my strengths and skills.
Can you tell us about the day-to-day responsibilities of your job?
My role as an analyst involves the management of pension schemes for multiple clients. I ensure that new and existing members’ pensions are accurately maintained and serviced. I also juggle between calculating pensions and forecasts, and preparing quotations, in addition to processing pension contributions while maintaining service level agreements.
What are the key challenges of your role? How have you overcome them?
Initially, understanding the finer details of pensions in the U.K. market was a challenge, given that my past professional experience was primarily in the U.K. insurance domain. I vividly remember the difficulties I faced when I worked on the transition of a new client account. Since I was new to the team, I was aware that this assignment would be particularly challenging. However, my senior colleagues and team gave me opportunities to learn, expand my knowledge on the subject and gradually become an expert. This equipped me with the skills and confidence I needed to take up the project again in April 2020. I worked closely with the team to ensure that the transition was smooth, despite working remotely. The client was extremely happy with how the requirements were met, which would not have been possible without the support of my team.
The recent shift to work from home due to the global pandemic has been almost overwhelming being a mother of a young child. My team has always been helpful and especially flexible with my work hours, allowing me to accommodate my daughter’s online school routine and daily activities. This has helped me establish a healthy work-life balance.
What is your proudest achievement since joining Willis Towers Watson?
I have been able to achieve several milestones during my time at Willis Towers Watson but there is one that I will always cherish. It was when our team received the ‘Best Team Award’, for our efforts on a key account of the company. Apart from this, I have also received three awards for outstanding work that I am grateful for.
How would you describe the culture at Willis Towers Watson?
The culture of a company can be inspiring, and this is something I have experienced since day one at Willis Towers Watson. The inclusive work environment has empowered me to focus on my career goals and grow professionally.
I value the transparency within the company, along with the flexible work environment that allows me to seamlessly balance work and personal life.
What do you like best about working at Willis Towers Watson?
I’ve had the opportunity to work with talented, smart colleagues that are always respectful and go out of their way to support each other. The core values like teamwork, integrity and excellence are upheld by all of the colleagues and across every level of the company.
Was there anything that surprised you about your role or the company?
Yes, the thing that surprised me the most was the empathy that was shown by the senior colleagues during challenging times. Their actions confirm that the company’s values are not just on paper but are put into practice every single day. They make it a point to lead by example and inspire the team by making them feel heard, supported, and valued.
What is your hope for your career in the future?
I want to ensure that I can learn and expand my knowledge and expertise to achieve quality results. In the future, I would like to develop my skills further to help my professional growth within the company.
Based on your experience, what advice would you give someone considering employment with Willis Towers Watson?
Working at Willis Towers Watson provides opportunities that will encourage you to strive for excellence and step closer to achieving your career goals. You will get the chance to grow both personally and professionally while truly living the shared values of integrity and teamwork. The organization and its colleagues are very supportive, and they encourage you to focus on your physical and mental wellbeing, which will help you stay motivated.
MEET Paul Dowding
Account Executive
Team Latin America and Caribbean Property
Segment Property & Casualty
Location Ipswich, United Kingdom
Year hired 2018
University Leeds Beckett University, Spanish and Tourism Management
Personal interests
Weightlifting, Investing, and political affairs.
Can you tell us about the day-to-day responsibilities of your job?
I work alongside brokers in a supporting administrative role – anything from the initial placing of an account to drafting contracts between insurers and reinsurers, to keeping track of ongoing amendments to the policy during the active period. We negotiate with underwriters to make agreed-upon changes and liaise with our Mumbai office to ensure that our billing for the accounts is processed in a timely manner. No day is never the same!
What training and development opportunities have you received in your role?
I thoroughly enjoyed the online training provided by Willis Towers Watson as it put aspects of my role – such as various protocols and legal requirements – into perspective for me before I actually had to conduct business.
How would you describe the culture at Willis Towers Watson?
The culture is friendly and professional. Everyone appreciates that we all have certain responsibilities to deliver in conjunction with the business units and we all work together to accomplish our goals.
What do you like best about working at Willis Towers Watson?
I enjoy the autonomy within my daily routine. I can decide when to take a break, when to have lunch, when to put in the work and when to go home. I believe this freedom allows me to maximize the time I put into my job.
What is your proudest achievement since joining Willis Towers Watson?
I worked on a large account based in Panama, which required careful strategic planning due to its size. It was a good experience for me in terms of its scope and also getting to know the team I worked with. I enjoyed getting to know my colleagues in London and observing the entire process of working on a client account.
Was there anything that surprised you about your role or the company?
The commitment to delivering excellence and the strong work ethic within the team has been pleasantly surprising. If a task is nearing a deadline, the team works cohesively to complete it, even if this entails putting in additional hours.
What is your hope for your career in the future?
I am currently focused on my short-term goals to ensure that the work I produce as an account executive is the best it can be, while making sure I have time to continue my professional and personal development. I don’t have a specific role in mind for the future, but I imagine it would entail working with others, creating positive relationships and coming up with innovative ideas to address a variety of situations.
Based on your experience, what advice would you give someone considering employment with Willis Towers Watson?
Update all of your professional and social media accounts to be more “professional”. Do your research on the role, the company and who you’ll be working for. Also remember that the employer will do their research on you too, prior to you even landing an interview, so ask yourself – would my profile be acceptable to represent this organisation or a prospective or current client?
