Borderless Gives Insights on Diversity & Inclusion for Your Company

Many of our clients have Diversity & Inclusion firmly on the agenda – but struggle with implementing it successfully. Despite the diversity rhetoric at the highest levels of corporate management, many executives find it difficult to connect Diversity & Inclusion and their company’s strategic priorities. As a result, we are often asked, “How can Diversity and Inclusion create a lasting positive impact on business performance, employee satisfaction and succession planning?”

Three steps to start off on your Diversity and Inclusion journey

1. Start using a contemporary definition of diversity 

When dealing with diversity, many executives still use an outdated definition. During World War II, diversity in the workplace was thrust on companies as something necessary to accommodate the growing need for workers. This happened in an environment that was not conducive to assessing the social implications of integrating new workers into the workplace. Subsequently, in the post-war era, diversity became the right thing to do to remedy imbalances in society and in the composition of workforces. Quotas and legislation on acceptable employment practices followed. These provided the veneer for those seeking compliance.

The millennial generation now looks at diversity very differently, as the normal thing to do, driven by the desire to experience different points of view; a mindset that has been substantially reinforced by the Internet and market globalization. This shift brought with it an understanding of inclusion, a necessary component of every diversity initiative. Diversity and Inclusion embedded in everyday workplace practices enable businesses to enjoy the benefits of having different people and points of view contributing to better decisions and results.

When diversity and inclusion is used in a contemporary way, it is integrated and becomes the normal way of conducting business. In our experience, a ‘think-act-feel’ approach is really helpful here. Which brings us to our second point.

To view the full article, visit www.borderless.net/diversity-for-business