With today’s high demand for information and technology, there is no doubt that businesses offering related services are highly valued. The information and technology industry is a booming field that provides more opportunities for employment and professional growth. One of the companies that serve within this field is Accenture. Accenture defines itself as “a global professional services company” which “provides consulting services in digital, technology and operation” (“Accenture Success,” n.d.). Before adopting the name Accenture in 2001, the company was known as Andersen Consulting, the business and technology division side of an accounting company called Arthur Andersen. Currently, the company operates in more than 50 countries worldwide (“Accenture Success,” n.d.). Because of its organizational environment, practices, and policies that are conducive for professional growth, it is clear that Accenture is one of the best places to work.
One of the fundamental driving forces that shape Accenture’s organizational environment is its competitiveness in the global market. The company is offering competitive salary, benefits, and rewards. For example, it has been reported that in the U.S., an Accenture analyst receives around $59,000 while senior managers receive around $154,000 annually (“Accenture,” 2017). These figures are on par with what other companies from the same industry provide to their workers. Aside from the basic pay, the employees are also entitled to 401(k) match and savings plan in which Accenture provides a matching contribution for every dollar that the people decide to save (“Careers,” 2017). This is something that many Accenture employees take advantage of. Moreover, they are also given an opportunity to purchase Accenture company stocks at 15% discount through the Employee Share Purchase Program (“Careers,” 2017). In other words, the employees are given another reason to take ownership of the company. Furthermore, each Accenture employee receives different types of insurance. One of these is medical insurance to provide medical services including annual physical exam, dental check-ups and procedures, and eye exams. The company also provides life insurance for the employee and a subsidized insurance for the employees’ dependents (“Careers,” 2017). Also, it provides insurance for long-term disabilities. Another aspect that adds to the competitiveness of Accenture is the flexibility that it offers its employees. For instance, it offers vacation leave, sick leave, family leave, and holidays. In the U.S., some employees are even allowed to donate hours of paid-time off to their co-workers who are in need (“Careers,” 2017). What makes Accenture far more different than other companies are the other rewards and benefits that it provides, such as the Teladoc for U.S. based employees (offering employees an access to ask doctors medical questions 24/7), commuter program (subsidy for transportation expenses), wellness programs that aim to assist employees with their fitness goals, discounted access to gym, online fitness programs, and employee assistance programs that provides aid to confidential and challenging problems (e.g., substance abuse and depression) (“Careers,” 2017). The total rewards, benefits, and compensation that Accenture offers enables it to compete with other companies in the global marketplace.
Workforce diversity is another driving force that shapes Accenture’s organizational environment. It is a fact that diversity may impact the workplace in many ways. For instance, it can affect the communication practices of workers due to cultural and language barriers. When employees are not aware of how to manage and respond to each other’s differences, it may result to conflict, confusion, lack of rapport and lack of team work between members, and all of these may ultimately impact workplace productivity. Therefore, these issues must be addressed by offering trainings and programs that will equip members to embrace diversity and use it for the organization’s advantage. Fortunately, Accenture understands the importance of a diverse workplace. As the Group Chief Executive of Accenture North America states, they believe that the “inclusion and diversity are essential for a high performing, talent-led organization” (“Message From,” 2017). This statement translates into statistics and facts that show how diverse the organization is. For instance, 39% of the employees are women while 64% are males (“Our Workforce,” 2015). This figure includes the people who belong to the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) group. In other words, Accenture accepts anyone regardless of gender. The same is true in terms of ethnicity. In the year 2015, U.S. based employees comprise of American Indians, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, Hispanic, Latino, African American Asian, and Caucasian (“Our Workforce,” 2015). To ensure that this diversity will not negatively impact business practices, the company implements the Global Inclusion & Diversity program. This program provides the employees with resources and training that make them aware of the importance of a diverse workplace. As a result, the diversity makes the company more appealing to those who are looking for the best place to work.
Moreover, the company’s organizational environment is being shaped by how it gives importance to ethics and morality. In line with this, employees are required to take ethics and compliance training on a regular basis to ensure that they understand how to conduct business in an ethical manner. On the other hand, the company also studies how employees are taking the program provided to them through evaluation, surveys, and other modes of assessment. In fact, it has been reported that in 2011, “over 90 percent of employees felt that Accenture is highly ethical and that the company’s commitment to integrity has been communicated to the whole company” (“Accenture Code,” 2011). In other words, the employees are able to witness and experience the company’s commitment to ethical business practices. Furthermore, Accenture also uses the Institute for Global Ethics’ Ethical Fitness Decision-making Model. Through its implementation, Accenture was given the 21st spot among the “100 Best Corporate Citizens 2013” as published in the Corporate Responsibility Magazine (“Accenture Code,” 2011). Other organizations also recognize Accenture’s ethical business implementation. In fact, in 2016, Accenture was once again names as one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” by Ethisphere Institute (“World’s Most,” n.d.). This demonstrates how serious Accenture is in terms of how it conducts business practices, which shapes its organizational environment.
As a technology-based company, there is also no doubt that the organizational environment of Accenture is also influenced by technological innovation. Leaders continue to explore on how new technology can be used, maximized, and best suited to cater to the needs of the company’s clients. According to Accenture’s 2015 report, “thirty-five percent of executives are investing in digital innovation as part of their overall business strategy” (“Driving Business,” 2017). This makes the company more competitive and appealing both to the clients and to the employees.
Overall, Accenture is truly one of the best places to work in the United States because of its organizational environment, practices, and policies that cater to the needs and benefits of the clients and the employees. Due to the company’s generosity in terms of compensation, benefits, and rewards, it has made itself competitive among other similar businesses in the global marketplace. It also values and pays due attention and importance on workforce diversity, ethics, morality, and technological innovation. There are specific programs and efforts dedicated to cover these aspects, which are being used for the growth of the business and the professional development of the workforce. All of these contribute in making Accenture’s brand name known not just in the United States but also in other countries.
References
Accenture (2017). Glassdoor. Retrieve from https://www.glassdoor.ca/Salary/Accenture-Salaries-E4138.htm
Accenture code of business ethics 2011: Our core values in action (2011). Georgetown University. Retrieved from https://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/publications/accenture-code-of-business-ethics-2011-our-core-values-in-action
Accenture success story (n.d.). SuccessStory. Retrieved from https://successstory.com/companies/accenture
Careers (2017). Accenture. Retrieved from https://www.accenture.com/us-en/careers/your-future-rewards-benefits
Driving business innovation through technology innovation (2017). Accenture Strategy. Retrieved from https://www.accenture.com/ph-en/insight-driving-technology-innovation
Message from Julie Sweet – group chief executive - North America (2017). Accenture. Retrieved from https://www.accenture.com/us-en/company-diversity-inclusion-workforce-data
World’s most ethical companies honorees (n.d.). Ethisphere. Retrieved from http://worldsmostethicalcompanies.ethisphere.com/honorees/
