8 Reasons Why Diversity And Inclusion Are Essential To Business Success
Diversity and inclusion are essential in business today as a healthy variety of people from different backgrounds and cultures provides us with the balance of voices and diversity of thought that we need.
However, it seems as though many businesses still do not have a healthy balance of different people from different backgrounds working for them.
This is something that needs to be changed and this article reflects on the reasons why diversity and inclusion are essential in business and how it can have a huge impact on businesses in the short and long term.
1. Greater innovation and creativity
Having a working environment filled with employees of different backgrounds, skills, experiences and knowledge means that there will be an increase in innovative and creative ideas. This can have a huge impact on the business as this will help the business expand in the long run. Employees will feel more comfortable to share their ideas with others with unique ideas being shared amongst a diverse environment. This helps a business stand out from those businesses that still function with only ‘one voice’.
2. Diversity provides a range of skills
It is important to hire people from all backgrounds as everyone has different skills that they can provide and help to enhance a business. By having an inclusive and diverse environment, this allows more wider perspectives to be integrated when brainstorming, problem solving and developing new ideas in business.
3. The business will be boosted
Diversity and inclusion are important factors that many people look for when accepting a job offer. Those that see that your business has people from all backgrounds will more likely accept the job offer and feel more welcomed. This will allow businesses to hire the best talent too, ensuring that the best skills are hired and not based solely on the person’s appearance.
4. Happier employees
Employees will be happier! Working in an environment that promotes diversity and inclusivity will make employees feel happier to be at work which will reflect on the work produced. Employees will thrive in their job roles and opportunities will arise, allowing the business to also thrive overall which equals success!
5. Increased productivity
Teamwork and co-operative work can increase productivity in business. This is because a diverse team can provide their ranges of experiences and skills and allow other co-workers to learn and work well with together. Increased productivity means that ideas can be exchanged, and the business can thrive in a shorter period of time amongst competitors that do not have a diverse and inclusive workforce.
6. Understand your customers
Having a diverse and inclusive team will not only benefit your business internally but also most importantly your customers/potential customers. This is because you are able to market your business to those from different backgrounds that reflect those that are already working. Employees are able to promote the business effectively as they have similar backgrounds with the intended target audience. As a business there is also room for growth as there are differences you begin to learn between different groups of people and how to target yourself towards them.
7. More talent to choose from
If the business encourages diversity and inclusion, then when it comes to finding new talent there is more to choose from. It will not be about recruiting a certain type of person that looks a particular way but rather focusing on the skills a person can bring and contribute to the business. This will help with the growth of the business as only the best talent will be hired.
8. Higher revenues
By having a diverse and inclusive workforce and managing it successfully, this ultimately will lead to higher revenues. Employees will be happier in their job roles; new ideas will arise, and productivity will increase. This will lead to greater successes within the business and allow the business to flourish and stand out amongst competitors. I am not suggesting you should do it for the money but if it positively impacts the culture of the organisation, productivity and the bottom line surely it is a no brainer?
It is time organisations took more of a proactive stance on employing a diverse workforce that reflect the real people of society today.
Originally published at https://www.forbes.com.