Payoneer – a financial technology company empowering small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to transact, do business,and grow globally – marked Pride Month with a discussion on building an inclusive workplace amid a growing borderless economy.
The event, called Championing Diversity in Teams and Payments: Empowering SMEs with Pride, was held on June 27, 2024, at The Yard at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.
“Payoneer has always been committed to empowering SMBs to cultivate a diverse and inclusive workplace. The LGBTQIA+ community is a valued member of businesses in every market, and we continue to recognize and celebrate their contributions to a better and more inclusive global market,” said Monique Avila, the Senior Director of Customer Success – APAC at Payoneer.
SMEs strengthening DE&I in the workplace
During his keynote address, Chris Eugenio, a board advisor at the Philippine Financial & Inter-Industry Pride (PFIP) highlighted PFIP’s 2024 LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion Report and discussed how diversity can help improve teams and propel businesses forward.
“Businesses have the power to create a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community. Being more inclusive, being more socially aware and responsible, casting a wider net, and making sure that you are providing equal opportunities to everyone is the right thing to do,” Eugenio said.
He added, “Thankfully, we are seeing a great development for business leaders in the country in terms of DEI. There are more dedicated DE&I leaders in the workplace, and we have seen an improvement since 2021.”
The event also featured a panel discussion of diversity and inclusion in today’s workplace, featuring business leaders Katherine Antunez, the Chief People Officer of GoTyme; Jaycee Tan, the chief executive officer of JT Virtual Assistants and co-founding member of the Network of Outsourcing Agencies; and Jeff Hunter, the founder of Virtual Assistants.
“One of my main motivators is being in a work environment that aligns with the culture and values I believe in. You create a productive workforce if you foster a culture that motivates and engages your people,” said Antunez.
Tan agreed, saying agencies like JT Virtual Assistants rely heavily on their people. She said, “As a business leader, I want to see more companies coming together to implement the DEI policy.”
Payoneer’s 2024 SMB Ambitions Barometer study reveals that Filipino SMBs prioritize employee’s happiness. The research reports that in the Philippines, 23% of SMBs prioritize employee satisfaction as a top business goal, surpassing the global survey average of 16%. This data highlights how SMBs in the country see the immense value that engaged and empowered employees bring to businesses.
Diversified payments
The recent event also highlighted Payoneer’s commitment to providing an inclusive global marketplace for SMBs to grow and develop. The platform’s diverse variety of payment solutions reflects this, helping its customers grow into larger businesses.
The world’s go-to partner for digital commerce recently launched its contributor role, where an account holder can appoint someone from their team to do financial tasks like sending payment requests to clients. Payoneer has also recently added PayPal as a payment method, alongside credit cards and bank transfers, so businesses can send payment requests to clients abroad and receive their fees via the platform.
Today, Payoneer is trusted by the world’s leading digital brands, which serve over 2,000 top marketplaces and digital platforms in industries such as e-commerce, information technology, marketing, wholesale, exporting, and more.
“Everyone deserves an equal opportunity to succeed and be heard. When businesses give everyone a voice, the sector can succeed and grow globally,” ends Avila.
