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Our first newsletter of 2025 is also the first issue we are distributing under our new name, Zero-Touch. While continuing to highlight the most important automation and AI developments in telecom, we are broadening our scope to explore impacts and imperatives across cloud, industry and beyond. This week’s issue perfectly encapsulates our commitment to hosting engaging, timely discussions, focusing on the experiences of women navigating careers in tech.
What does it take to create an inclusive workplace? How can teams collectively move beyond outmoded mindsets that limit career flexibility and success?
This week on Zero-Touch Live, Monica Paolini, independent analyst at Senza Fili, hosted Subha Shrinivasan, SVP, Global Head of Delivery and Customer Experience at Rakuten Symphony and Vijayalaxmi Shinde, Marketing Director at Rakuten Symphony, for an honest discussion about navigating careers in tech.
The conversation dove into personal experiences, systemic challenges and strategies for fostering diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace.
The replay is available now below.
Vijaya and Subha reflected on how representation for women has grown in tech, noting evident progress but emphasizing that diversity is more than just numbers. It’s about creating environments where women can thrive as themselves.
“I decided that I didn’t want to go with the approach of copying how men solve issues. I wanted to bring a uniqueness.” Vijaya Shinde
The conversation also focused on realities around balancing work and personal life, overcoming biases in traditionally male-dominated spaces and unique hurdles women face. Subha advocated for policies that redefine success by accommodating different career trajectories and personal circumstances while Vijaya stressed the importance of asking for help and building supportive work environments.
Subha drew comparisons across geographic regions to note how countries like India are ahead in diversity-friendly policies, while the U.S. still has room to improve. Both speakers agreed that fostering flexibility and inclusive systems is key to retaining women in the workforce.
To this end, Vijaya shared how learning to say no and prioritizing personal time helped her maintain balance. Subha highlighted the role of mentors and sponsors in helping women advance, urging organizations to formalize support systems while encouraging women to self-advocate.
"All along my career, my greatest sponsors have been men. Men have recommended me for roles that brought me this far. But women also need to rise and match that game—it's OK to ask for help, to ask for the promotion and to put the spotlight on yourself." Subha Srinivasan
All speakers agreed that inclusivity isn’t just about fostering great workspaces for women—it benefits the entire workplace. By embracing diversity, companies can foster empathy, innovation and better decision-making across the board.
As Monica noted, the work is ongoing, but discussions like this help illuminate the path forward.
Watch the replay of this conversation to explore how we can build more inclusive and equitable workplaces.
