Diversity and Inclusion is Good Business
One of the major challenges facing corporate leaders and HR today is the hasty pace at which the workforce is changing across the world. Advancing technology, emerging markets, generational turnover, widespread immigration, and cultural evolution have all played a role and will continue to play a vital role in creating an increasingly complex industrial and corporate environment that both breaks down old and creates new challenges to recruiting, developing and retaining talent.
Workplace diversity and inclusion incorporates several positive aspects of today’s new normal. It’s about recognizing the diverse skills and perspectives that folks may bring to the business because of their cultural background, age, gender, ethnicity, language, disability, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, working style, professional skills, education level, work and life experiences, job function, geographical location, socio-economic background, marital status, and family responsibilities.
D & I is about removing barriers to make sure that all employees enjoy full participation in an office which supports the development and success of well informed and socially appropriate business outcomes. It also involves recognizing the values of personal differences and managing them in the office.
Reasons why diversity and inclusion matters in the office
It is not just the office that is evolving in terms of demographics, it’s also the customers. When you have a diverse, broadly inclusive office, it will be easy for you to remain competitive by having a better outlook on what it is that a wide range of consumers are looking for in your business.
When you focus on creating an inclusive office, you are going to create opportunities to employ and maintain the very best talent from a wider pool of personnel. This will enable you to put together a team of the best and most talented employees.
In a recent Forbes study that interviewed more than three hundred international companies, 85% of the company’s surveyed agreed diversity is vital to foster innovation.
By 2050, it is predicted that there will be no ethnic or racial majority in America, which means it’s vital for organizations to be ahead of these statistics and prove that they are devoted to an inclusive and diverse office that will be represented of American’s population.
Paving the way for Inclusion
Acknowledging the importance of an inclusive office is the easy part. So how do you make it happen?
Before you put any plans in place to boost your office’s sense of inclusion, speak to your staff to find out what’s currently missing in the office. You can also find some useful information from the data obtained through exit interviews and engagement surveys. Find out how your team feels about your business culture, especially when it comes to diversity and inclusion.
Training and development are also very important. Too many companies believe the wrong idea that inclusion and diversity training is unproductive and rather just a “feel good” initiative. Research shows otherwise.
Invest into training programs like coaching, sponsorship and mentorship. Sponsorship is very important in retaining talented employees and helping them move upward. These types of training programs tend to make employees feel like they’re part of the company and have potential of moving ahead.
Be mindful of who is sitting around the table at your next meeting. If they are mainly one race or one gender, then let it serve as a wake-up call as you are missing out on vital talents, skills and benefits that come from a diverse office. A focus on inclusion and diversity is both good business and the right thing to do.
