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customers. It’s just that I’m working on a
different problem.
There is a lot of research that proves
that diversity and inclusion is good for
business. How have you seen this to
be true?
Business is a relationship, not a transaction.
And I’ve seen globally that the demographic
inside of companies has changed. At the same
time, the purchasing power and decision-making
power of the diverse demographic has
changed. So as a company, it would be absolutely
crazy to have the same strategies and
tactics optimized for a different demographic
when the world around you is changing. If we
don’t show up with an inclusive mindset, our
customers are not going to view us as the best
match for them to do business.
Diverse teams are more innovative. If you
have different mindsets, and you’re open
to discussing things, you’re going to come
out with a different result. Many times, that
result is better because it’s reflective of more
opportunity.
The other benefit of an inclusive environment—where
employees feel they can be
their true and authentic selves—is you have
greater retention and engagement. That retention
and engagement drive margin. Innovation
drives top line.
Despite the evidence, organizations
are struggling to build a more diverse
workforce. What are some barriers to
diversity and inclusion?
Companies have not been successful with
diversity and inclusion because people think
of it as a set of tactical activities rather than
something you need to drive into the DNA of
the company. You need to have a diverse lens
and be inclusive in everything you do, certainly
in the way you engage talent, but also in conversations
with your customers. It’s not, ‘Oh,
by the way, we do diverse things.’ You actually
need to speak about diversity as a reason why
you are the partner of choice.
For example, with digital transformation,
we tend to talk about the technology. But you
also have to think about the talent transformation
that’s needed to support the innovative
mindset that will continue to drive digital
transformation.
How can technology help companies with
diversity and inclusion?
One thing holding many companies back is
unconscious bias. We, as human beings, tend
to surround ourselves with similar people and
ideas. Technology can help identify where
biased decisions are being made at all phases
of the talent continuum.
“Companies have not been successful with diversity and inclusion
because people think of it as a set of tactical activities rather than
something you need to drive into the DNA of the company.”