Skilled Migrant Professionals February 2015 | Page 40
Diversity
CEOs speak out on diversity
Making
workplace
diversity
work
Commitment
to diversity
reaps
rewards
by Paul Fleay
CEO Inclusion WA
D
iversity in the workplace is an enriching attribute which can
add much value to teams. Greater client satisfaction, successful
decision making, stronger bottom line, and improved organisational outcomes are just some of the organisational benefits that a
diverse workplace can bring (Harvard Business Review, June 5, 2014).
However, with an increase in diversity, can also come many, often
unspoken, challenges. Differences in communication styles, values,
social practices and so on can create social disconnection within the
workplace which leads to exclusion (real or perceived), feelings of bias
and the organisation simply not getting the best from the ‘talent in
the room’. So, diversity doesn’t work unless you make it work.
Research shows that organisations who go one step further than
diversity and also focus on inclusion gain further benefits such as reduced turnover, increased innovation, and team engagement
(HBR, 2014).
We operate in times of great
diversity. There are four different
generations in the current workforce, with people identifying with being of different cultural background, sexuality, religion, being a person with disability, and mental
illness (Dr Linda Duxbury, Carleton University).
However, what research is showing, and what we at Inclusion WA
understand well, is that while we should celebrate our differences,
as human beings, it is the similarities, the (sometimes very small)
things we have in common which bring us together and help build
truly strong teams.
The challenge for organisations in the 21st century is fostering an
inclusive environment and developing social capital within their workplace.
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www.smpmagazine.com.au | February 2015
by Paul Colley
CEO of Total Marine Technology
I
am proud of how far we’ve come as a company since our founding
in 1999. The company’s pioneers are bold entrepreneurs who believe that the breadth of our differences should not only define us,
but also strengthen us.
We have grown from a company of 15 staff members operating
out of a small shed to a staff of 350 staff, with Remotely Operated
Vehicles spanning over 25 units. Our broad range of products and
services enables us to be there for our customers how, when, and
where they need us. When people with different backgrounds come
together to face challenges and solve problems, a business can be
more creative, innovative, and ultimately, more successful.
Great decisions come from great debates, and great debates are
shaped by participants who bring a
variety of perspectives that can be
backed up with logic and reason.
Having the level of diversity that is
necessary for a high-quality debate
is clearly a business imperative. Tapping into the power of diversity is
essential to TMT’s overall success as a business. Selecting, developing,
engaging, and retaining a diverse talent pool enables us to achieve our
strategic goals.
When people are at the very heart of what you do, you quickly
come to value and seek out their diverse ideas and experiences. Our
commitment to diversity also means helping young people reach their
full potential through education. We offer apprenticeships, trainingships, and internships to high school and university graduates. This
gives young and upcoming professionals the opportunity to come to
TMT and see firsthand how a medium size corporation operates.
TMT is proud to support programs that promote diversity because
we recognise the difference that they make in the communities that
we serve. It is imperative that the TMT workforce reflects the face of
Australia, which is largely referred to as a migrant country. To understand and serve our geographical and ethnically diverse marketplaces
in which we operate, our employees must be a diverse and dynamic
group.
We understand that different perspectives bring tremendous value
to TMT and that diversity in our teams helps create the most innovative solutions and attract and retain the best talent.